Here is my Ninth Blogg on Common Causes for Driving Test Failure Not Having Control of the Vehicle

What You Must Do

You must be able to move off under control, including on a slope or hill (gradient), from behind a parked vehicle and at junctions.

Where it is Marked on the Driving Test Report Form

Move off - Control

Common Causes of this Failure

Stalling and rolling back when trying to move off

When the candidate moved off at a green traffic light or during a hill start, they stalled the car and it rolled back a considerable distance.

Repeatedly stalling when moving off

Throughout your test, the candidate repeatedly stalled the car when they tried to move off.

Stalling repeatedly when moving off on one occasion

On one occasion during the test, when the candidate moved off, they repeatedly stall because of things like being in the wrong gear or poor clutch control. This results in the driving examiner giving you guidance.

Trying to move off without selecting a gear and then rolling back

When you try to move off, the candidate did not select a gear. This then causes the car to roll back a considerable distance.

Remedies

To be able to drive a car you have to be fluent with controls especially the clutch. It is best not to take the driving test until you have accomplished this. You should be familiar with the car you are taking the test in. For example, there are differences between a diesel and a petrol car and it can be difficult for a learner driver to switch between these types of cars. Hence before you go to test make sure you are familiar with car you will be driving.

The DVSA, the government organisation which conducts the driving test say that it takes 42 lessons and 12 hours of driving in your own car to pass the test. So be easy on yourself and invest in the tuition and do not try to go to test before you are ready.

When it comes to your driving test ensure that you can do a hill start. Whether the car is petrol or diesel start by engaging first gear, setting the gas a minimum of a thickness of a pound coin, then bring the clutch to biting point. When you are ready to go release the handbrake, gently bring up the clutch, let the car move around a car’s length and fully release the clutch and adjust the accelerator for the gradient you are going up.

Unfortunately, sometimes candidate’s nerves get the better of them and they “forget” how to do a hill start. If this happens pause and take a deep breath and hopefully you will remember how to do a hill start.