“Hello my name is Dominic“ I’m one of the Co-Founders of Auto Teach, in my years of serving the public as a driving instructor I’ve spent time assisting both those learning on manual cars and automatic cars.

I’ve seen a lot of learner drivers over the years and the differences between those who pass their driving test and those who fail, for the most part is always the same, whether your doing manual driving lessons or automatic driving lessons in London. So I thought it would be nice and very helpful for me to publish online a few of the most crucial points I have observed from my years on the road.

There are many books or videos on YouTube detailing specific technical faults but here I want to highlight some of the things that lead to failure that are not mentioned in other sources.

Passing your test for the 1^st time is similar to baking a cake, there are a mixture of ingredients that need to be carefully mixed together to produce the successful outcome.

A common problem that I have observed is a lack of practice, time and time again I see people buying a test and then trying to find some last minute driving lessons, this attitude only leads failure, your road to test success is made up of many hours of disciplined practice.

Since practice is such a key issue this is where the issue of vehicle transmission comes into play learning to drive a manual transmission car from scratch is a lengthy project, and can be a highly costly one at that.

Learning to drive an automatic car for all is a much quicker route to your driving freedom, since driving around in most major cities is a traffic riddled journey, automatic driving lessons has become a highly popular choice for many. On average most people require fewer Automatic Driving Lessons than they would in a manual car.

We have noticed the demand for Automatic Driving Lessons in London has been on a steady increase for the last few years with indicators pointing to further continued growth, due to the ease in finding affordable and reliable automatic cars on the used car market.

On average those who fit in around 2-4 hours or more per week of professional practice on the run up to their test around 4-5 weeks prior to the test date, usually pass 1^st time. Repetition is the key here do something a 1000 times and it becomes easy or at least more doable, this is the case especially when preparing for your driving test.

Some people take years to pass they scrape together a few pounds for a test and a few lessons they fail due to lack of practice, they wait a while to scrap together some more money, then they repeat the process and then a passed theory test expires and they have to start all over again, or the other scenario I see is this, someone passes their theory test, life takes its toll on them and their other projects and then bang one day they realize the theory test is about to expire, so they buy a practical test usually the last available date before the theory test expires and they try to find some lessons with an instructor and somehow they think they are going to pass, my advice is to go to a betting shop and take a few punts on the horses or buy a lottery ticket, money better spent than trying to pass a test with this hap hazard method, the odds are more in your favor then passing your driving test in this fashion.

Fund your driving test project properly and you`ll pass 1^st time

Since practice is so vital why doesn’t everyone do it? There are many reasons for lack of professional practice, for some they cant afford it, for some they do not get on with their instructor so they are reluctant to spend more time with the instructor, for some their instructor is too busy to fit in the extra hours needed.

My advice ensure

1)      You can afford the right frequency of lessons

2)      You have an instructor who has the time for you

 

Next ensure you devote some of your practice to driving around the test center area, for many the 1^st time they drive around the area of the test is on the actual test itself, this makes things extremely hard, not knowing the area of the test is a major factor for some when failing, a sign can be missed, a small road marking can be missed, all contributing factors to mistakes made on failed tests

Another mistake I see repeated several times over by some learner drivers is an obsession with manoeuvres, yes a decent degree of skill is needed to complete the various test exercises and by all means these tasks must be practiced well, but often I see customers get become so preoccupied with rehearsing these tasks at the expense of continuing their general driving disciplines. Please remember it is what it says it is “A driving test”, therefore you will be required to spend most of the test on proving your driving ability and to also prove your skills of one manoeuvring exercise.

Okay lets assume you have an instructor you like, the instructor has time for you, you have the money for a reasonable frequency of lessons, and your lovely instructor takes you on a few lessons in the area of your test, what could possibly go wrong?

Your attitude, your mindset that’s what!

Nerves are an important issue, for some they attach life or death importance to the test, they think of all that they will be able to do with a driving license and then as the test draws closer the nerves paralyze them, the on lesson performance dwindles and a fail is the end result

Yes is it important for everyone to pass their test but you have to remember your day to day life on average will be the same after the test regardless of whether you fail or not, off course if you pass I’m sure much celebration will follow with the added bonus of your new found freedom

Essentially those that attach excessive pressure to their project eventually make themselves too nervous to perform to the best of their abilities, so approach the test with confidence and the attitude that you will pass but if not life goes on, take the pressure of yourself, and you`ll perform well and you`ll get the result, a PASS!!

In summary, I could spend hours writing about all the possibilities but here are some of the main points

1)      Find an instructor you like

2)       Invest in a decent amount of lessons

3)      Budget correctly for your project, & don’t cut corners on investment trying to save money on practice sessions more often than not results in test failure

4)      Don’t book a test in an area that is too far away for you to get to and have some practice in

5)      Plan your project well, organize it properly take your practical test in good time well before your theory test expires

6)      Most of all try to relax and avoid putting undue and adverse pressure on yourself as you get closer to your actual test date

 

Whether or not you have lessons with AutoTeach.co.uk I truly hope this information will prove valuable to you, and I sincerely hope the advice helps you on your journey to a 1^st time pass

Wishing you all the best in your driving ambitions, and please remember we`d be more than happy to help you with your Automatic Driving Lessons in London.

 

Kind Regards

Dominic

“Learning to drive explained”