Why Are Mock Driving Tests Important?
Before taking the official driving test, you may wish to do something called a mock driving test. A mock driving test is very similar to the real thing and is a chance for you to get a feel for the final exam as well as highlight any areas that need improvement. So if you are going to do a mock test, it would be recommended to do it at least a few weeks prior to your driving test to give you time to improve on the result.
For some people who are very nervous about taking a driving test, a mock driving test could be very useful. There are different degrees of mock test with the most extreme being getting a colleague of your regular driving instructor to conduct the exam. The idea of this is to have someone other than your regular driving instructor sitting next to you. Over the learning period, you get used to being watched by your driving instructor so having someone else watch can give the same feeling as an examiner watching. Alternatively, you could do a mock test with your regular driving instructor and have a third person sitting in the back. Anything that creates an unfamiliar set of eyes watching you can make you feel as if you were in an exam.
With Nayland Driving School, we are here to support all learner drivers and provide the best support and information to get you on the road in no time at all!
What is a mock driving test?
Once your driving instructor feels like your driving has reached a point where you are ready to sit your test, they will carry out a mock driving test on you, which will give you some experience on what to expect when you sit your real test on the day.
The instructor will start the lesson in the exact same way as an examiner, by explaining how the test works, what you are being assessed on and what you are required to do during the drive.
Your driving instructor will deliver mock tests in locations that are a close proximity to your chosen test centre, as one of the routes you practice could potentially be the test that you do on the day.
Why should you take a mock driving test?
The aim of doing a few mock tests is to prepare you for the real thing, so that you can prepare yourself on what to expect on the day. The mock test will help you to prepare yourself for the test conditions, so once you have a few under your belt, you should feel much more confident and prepared for the real thing!
What should you expect during a mock test?
A mock test can seem quite daunting so it’s important to prepare yourself. For your mock driving tests, you should expect:
- An assessment of your driving ability
- How competent you are at executing standard manoeuvres, including reverse parking or pulling over safely to the side of the road
- Feedback from your driving instructor
How long does it take to complete a mock driving test?
In most cases, a mock test would be carried out by your normal driving instructor. It will start at the test centre and last up to 40 minutes (as a regular test would) and might even cover an official test route like a real exam. The mock test will include various types of road and traffic conditions, an independent drive, 1 manoeuvre and maybe an emergency stop as well as 2 ‘show me tell me’ questions.
Recording the result
During the mock driving test, your driving instructor will use a copy of the DL25. This is the driving test report form that the examiners use and is available online for anyone to see. See the form below:
Your driving instructor can use this to record any faults that are made as they would in a normal driving test. Some examiners are starting to use tablet forms too.
How your driving instructor will be on the day
Your driving instructor is not a qualified examiner, but most instructors have sat in the back of many driving tests. So to the best of their ability, they will give you directions and instructions – just like a driving examiner would.
During the exam, your instructor may also remain silent. Not all examiners will do the exam in silence, but this would give you a chance to get used to driving in silence as some students say that this is the hardest bit.
At the end of the exam the driving instructor will give you your result add feedback on how you could improve. If you find the mock test particularly useful, there’s no harm in doing another one at a later date.
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