One of the biggest fears for learner drivers is the panic that the sound of sirens or flashing lights induces. A good instructor will show you how to deal with approaching emergency vehicles to ensure that you can confidently deal with them on driving test day. Even the most nervous driver can learn techniques and prepare for an emergency vehicle’s approach and what’s more, the more experience you gain, the better you will make the right choices when seeing or hearing an emergency vehicle. 

What to do on your driving test

Here, we offer some tips and tricks to look over in advance of your test, although you should also familiarise yourself with Rule 219 of the Highway Code.

Be prepared

If you are looking and listening for sirens and flashing headlights, you will be less stressed when they appear. Emergency vehicles can be ambulances, fire engines, police cars and motorcycles, but also traffic officers, incident support vehicles. Sirens or flashing lights in blue, green, red or amber or simply flashing headlights are an indication that you should seek to move safely aside, so always be on the lookout.

Seek to move safely out of the way

Consider the likely safest route for the vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass. Do not consider speeding or mounting kerbs or jumping traffic lights, you will not be exempt from prosecution and you will be held liable for accidents caused. You should never break the law yourself under any circumstances.

Don’t put anyone at risk

Do not do anything that would put yourself, other road users or pedestrians, at risk. It is always better to take a little longer to position yourself safely than to rush and endanger others. Do not brake suddenly, especially when approaching a junction or roundabout, as vehicles behind may not have the same view or opportunity to adjust speed. Slow and steady, indicating your intentions is the safest, even if it takes a little longer.

Don’t stop in an unsafe place

Avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow road section. You are better continuing further and finding a safer place to wait until the vehicles have passed. Always be prepared that cars behind you will not be as fully aware and may still pass you even after you have stopped. Check thoroughly that it is safe to rejoin the road or carriageway before starting back on your journey.

Let Beverly Slater help you prepare

Why not get in touch and let our qualified driving instructors teach you to handle emergency vehicles and the many other essential driving tools, so you’re equipped to take your driving test with confidence. 

If you struggle to learn to drive in a manual vehicle, driving an automatic is the perfect solution. Crucial differences make learning to drive an automatic car simpler to master, significantly impacting how confident you feel behind the wheel. Here’s what you need to know about automatic before you begin your automatic driving lessons.

After all, the more comfortable you feel behind the wheel, the better you will cope with learning and managing your car. An automatic vehicle means no clutch and gear change challenges while mastering the many other aspects involved to pass your driving test. So it may be easier for you to become a safe, confident driver.

Don’t get on with a manual vehicle or see a need to master the extras

Lack of confidence and nervousness about getting behind the wheel is one of the biggest concerns that cause learner drivers to quit. Perhaps you tried a manual vehicle and found it difficult or maybe haven’t had the confidence even to try. Here at Beverley Slater Driver Training, we offer automatic driving lessons that our many successful students know have made driving a real possibility.

No clutch or manual gear changing remove stalling worries

Adjusting to driving an automatic vehicle is shockingly easy. Whether you have driven a manual car before or are perfectly capable of learning to drive a manual car but choose not to, many practical or personal reasons make learning in an automatic vehicle the right choice for many. Stalling is a real confidence basher, but driving an automatic car avoids it, so you immediately have one less issue! Health, anxiety, or even lack of ability can make automatics the difference between driving success and failure. Hills and heavy traffic can be more straightforward with an automatic too.

Better control of your car

Less to think about leaves you free to focus. You will feel more in control and better able to concentrate on the other skills required to drive safely and confidently.

Manual cars can leave some drivers feeling they don’t have enough hands everywhere, especially when first learning. Choosing automatic driving lessons removes worry over changing gear, finding the biting point or stalling, making it easier on you. Automatic vehicles have no such difficulties, making them perfect for those unsure or nervous.

Whatever your reason our lessons will give you all that you require. Automatic driving lessons simplify many learning aspects and can make driving a real possibility for even the most nervous learner. Our experienced, caring driving instructors are here with all the help you need to get on the road in the shortest possible time. 

We support you through the entire process. You still benefit from our theory test teaching techniques and the same care and commitment. We get you driving confidently, as safely and quickly as possible. 

Why not explore the opportunities we offer? The sooner you start, the sooner you can open up the opportunities being a driver affords.

For many people nerves can certainly get the better of them. On an important day like your driving test, this is no surprise. Nerves are to be expected. When sitting behind the wheel however, you want to be as calm as you possibly can be to ensure the safety of yourself, your passenger, and other road users. So how exactly should you remain calm during your driving test? Here are some of our top tips!

Driving test preparation

Preparing yourself for the big day ahead is really important in being able to manage your nerves. Once you know everything is organised and you are aware of all that will be happening throughout the test day, you can feel relaxed. Your preparation could be as simple as eating a hearty breakfast the day of your test and planning a comfortable outfit, with shoes you are able to drive in. At Beverly Slater driving school, our instructors are trained in helping nervous students. If you are concerned about your test, we can go over everything you feel worried about before your test day. You will also be able to book a lesson with your instructor before your test to ensure all your knowledge is fresh in your mind.

Keep your diary clear

To keep a clear focus on your driving test, we recommend leaving the rest of your daily schedule clear, if this is possible. This gives you ample time to prepare and will prevent you worrying or thinking about anything else you may need to do on this important day.

Keep your driving test date a secret

If you are feeling the pressure of having to pass, it may be useful to keep your test date a secret from your friends. Often young people, when learning to drive over a similar time period to their friends, will feel pressure to pass first time like others. This added pressure will only make you more nervous. There is no harm in keeping your test a secret until after you have completed It. This way you will not be worried about receiving a reaction from others if you do not pass.

Focus on your driving

Try to place your focus on the road and driving the car, not on the examiner and their marking. Although it is tempting to take a peek at the examiner’s marking, this will only add pressure and take away your attention from your driving. If your examiner needs to inform you of any important points they will do so. Be sure to listen to their directions carefully and pay attention to any of their questions.  

A top tip: It is sometimes reassuring for learners to pretend you are doing a mock test and to imagine your instructor in the passenger seat, instead of the examiner. By keeping your eyes on the road, as you should be, there won’t be much time to pay attention to what your examiner is doing or thinking.

For those of our learners at Beverly Slater Driving School in preparation for your tests – we wish you the best of luck! And don’t forget – Stay Calm During Your Driving Test!