Earning your driving license is one of the most rewarding experiences of adulthood; however, this requires you to have a high standard of driving ability. For this very reason, Hero Driving School has produced this blog, so you know what the top 10 reasons for failing in driving tests are:

It is essential that the mirrors, position, signal, gears and speed are used in a well synchronised manner when nearing a junction. You should also be sure that the road you are entering is safe.

Two of the main causes for failure in driving tests are:

Lack of control.

Improper observation of traffic.

Be sure that you are the minimum speed when you are reversing around corners. This will allow you to have adequate control of the car. Be vigilant of oncoming traffic.

Most new models are equipped with “power” steering, which basically allow “one-touch” driving. It is, therefore, important to know how much force you should or should not exert on the steering wheel.

These manoeuvres can be challenging, even for the most skilled drivers. As always, it is important to keep an eye on the traffic and to be very light on the accelerator.

You should be well aware of which gears to use in different settings. When the traffic onslaught is slow or you have an empty road, you can safely drive the car in a high gear. However, when driving on busy or tricky roads, it is best to move the car at a slower pace.

As with all good driving schools, Hero Driving School also puts great emphasis on the use of mirrors while driving. Ideally, you should check your mirrors 25-50% of the time you spend driving. This technique allows you to develop a habit of navigating carefully.

Acceleration is by far, the most important thing when it comes to passing your driving test. It is mandatory for you to know how much the speed limit is and where to or, where not to slow down.

It is necessary to be careful about not holding up other people on the road. For this reason, you should know how to turn properly. Make a note of checking your mirrors, as well as, controlling your acceleration.

You should be fully aware of the distance and gaps required when you are approaching or, pulling out at a junction.

More often than not, this can cause new drivers unnecessary problems. In order to restart and move on successfully, you should check the gear the car is in, relative mirrors, status of the handbrake and whether the road is clear for you to go.

If any of these problems have occurred during your driving test, you can always discuss how to overcome them, with your instructor.

One of the most important rules, when it comes to driving safe, is knowing how and when to keep your distance.

Creating a “safety bubble,” means that you maintain a safe distance between your car and everything around you. While attending driving lessons with Hero driving school, you will be taught how to maintain a safe distance between yourself, and the car in front of you.

It is not necessarily an instinctual skill but develops gradually as you gain experience by driving on your own.

This sentence explains one of the most important elements of safe driving; following the two second rule. The method of applying this rule is relatively easy and requires you to take out a marker point, such as a tree or a lamppost. This marker will help you set out the distance necessary for implementation of the rule mentioned above.

The reason this particular rule has been phrased as a rhyme, is to allow you to use it just like you use a safety phrase. When the car in front passes your marker, you can repeat the phrase in your head, taking two seconds to do so.

The benefit of this exercise being that, if you pass the reference point before you are done saying the phrase, you will know the distance is insufficient. It is necessary to keep a two-second distance as a precautionary measure.

The pre-emptive distance that you put between yourself and the car allows you to handle any unexpected actions from the other driver. However, there are some modifications to this rule, which every new driver needs to be aware of. Such as; it is best to keep an 8 – 10 car gap in icy weather, 5 – 6 in wet weather and 2 – 3 in normal weather. Simple actions like these are advantageous for both you and the people around you.

The two second rule is a useful tip for your safety when in motion, however, it does not apply when your car is stationary. In this condition you should apply the ‘tyres and tarmac’ rule. This rule basically says that, when you have stopped behind another car, the rear tyres and a bit of the road behind them should be visible to you, providing enough space to manoeuvre around the vehicle in front of you.

When you are in traffic, you should be cautious of the car in front moving backwards. You should also keep in mind mistakes such as, your car forwarding into the car in front, for example, your foot moving off the clutch, or the handbrake not working when your car is directed downhill.

The tyres and tarmac rule is an easy method of keeping a safe distance when your vehicle is stationary. If both new and old drivers follow these two rules, the roads will be a safer and more disciplined place for all.