At some point during your practical driving test your examiner will ask you to pull in on the left side of the road when it is safe to do so. Be aware that this in itself is also part of the test – your examiner is making sure you pull in safely and correcting using your mirrors and indicators as per usual.
If your examiner asks you to pull up behind another vehicle, ensure that you leave enough room for when you move away again.
Your examiner may ask you to make an emergency stop along with the normal stops that you may be required to make.
During your practical driving test you will also be asked to carry out some of the following vehicle manoeuvres:
- Reverse to the left
- A turn in the road
- A reverse park behind another stationary vehicle
- Park in a bay in the test centre car park
By the time that you take your practical driving test you should have had plenty of practice with the vehicle manoeuvre exercises and should feel confident in demonstrating them to your examiner.
During this portion of the test the examiner will be marking you based on vehicle control, accuracy of the manoeuvre, and your all-round observations.
Before beginning your manoeuvre pay attention to the gradient or camber of the road that you are on so that you’ll know whether to adjust the speed at which you make the manoeuvre using the gas, clutch or brake. The key to a successful manoeuvre is to keep your car’s speed down. This allows you to have greater control over the steering and positioning of the car, and gives you plenty of time to either correct your positioning and keep an eye out for other road users.
Another reason why it’s a good idea to keep your speed down is that allows you to complete the manoeuvres more accurately and efficiently, rather than rushing in and perhaps compromising your positioning. It is also important that you complete all of the reversing exercises in a safe road position.
Observations are also an important factor in any vehicle manoeuvre. You need to show to your examiner that you can respond promptly and safely to other road users.
