test report dl25 explained

At the beginning of your test examiner will ask you to sing residency declaration form. Make sure your signature matches with your driver licence 0ne; otherwise you will be asking to sign again until your examiner accept 

At the start of your test the examiner will ask you to read a vehicle registration number from 21 meters away. If you don’t meet the eyesight standard then your test will not go ahead. If you need glasses or contact lenses to make sure you can read the number you must wear them whenever you drive or ride.

There is a chance that you have been asked to do controlled stop (emergency stop) during your test. Examiner will pull you over in a quiet road and explain to you to stop the car after getting to speed (20 or 30 mph) and stop the car immediately when you hear the signal. When you hear the signals press the clutch and brake at same time while holding you’re both hands on steering wheel to avoid skidding and stop the car sharply(you don’t need to check your centre mirror for this). Apply hand brake immediately to secure your car then check all of your mirrors AND BOTH BLIND SPOTS before movingoff.

Minors: 

• Paniking
• Not reacting promptly
• Braking too hard or too gently
• not keeping both hands on the steering wheeel
• skidding because of road condition
• using mirrors before stopping
• moving off unsafely(lack of observation)

Majors: 

• lack of observation before moving off(not checking 5 point check)

Before you start the driving your examiner will ask you one vehicle safety check question (TELL ME).examiner may ask you to open the bonnet before you enter the car to ask you question, otherwise the questions will be asked once you are in the car.

Your examiner will ask you to operate your vehicle’s secondary controls whilst on the move safely without losing control of the vehicle.

Minors: incorrect answer, incorrect demonstration

Majors: losing control of vehicle 

These checks are simple but important. Before you start the engine, you need to make sure that your seat, all mirrors and head restraint are adjusted correctly. Make sure doors are closed and your seatbelt is on properly. This will help you to reach all your driving controls with ease. Never readjust your seat or mirrors on the move.

Minors: incorrect head restraint position

Majors: moving off with open doors, no seatbelt

Throughout the test you needed to show you can use all the controls smoothly and at the correct time including :  Accelerator, clutch, parking brake, foot brake and steering.This means less wear and tear on your vehicle and a smoother ride for your passengers.

Minors: 

• accelerator:sudden pressure on accelerator pedal
• Clutch: suddenly releasing clutch pedal
• Gear:  appropriate gear
• Footbrake: sharp stopping 
• Parkingbrake: use of hand brake
• Steering:  crossing hands while steering, driving with one hand

Majors:

• Gear: incorrect gear change  causing sudden loss of speed(E.g. changing from 5th gear on 50mph to 2nd gear instead of 4th causing significant change in speed)
•  Footbrake: continuously breaking sharply
• Parking brake: not useing hand brake on hill start causing the car roll backward into cars behind
• Steering: crossing hands around a sharp corner causing loss of control and getting close to other traffic

You needed to show that you can move away on the level, on a slope (use hand brake for better control) and at an angle safely( consider on coming traffic toward you because you may need to cross their pass), under full control, taking effective observation( dont forget to cary out 5 points checks before deciding to move). Move off only when it is safe to do so.

Minors: 

• Safety : Ineffective observation, not checking blind spot but no traffic around
• Control : stalling the engine 

Majors: 

• Safety :  Ineffective observation (blind spot) causing hazard or danger to other traffic around (cars, pedestrians, bike...)
• Control : Stalling car’s engine resulting to roll back toward traffic behind you specially on traffic light or emerging on junctions

You should use mirrors (sides and inside mirrors) safely, effectively and in a good time acting correctly upon what you see.

Use MSM routine regularly and effectively.

You MUST always check your mirrors carefully before 

• SIGNALING (turning left or right on a junction or traffic light, approaching and exiting a roundabout)
• CHANGING DIRECTION (changing lanes on dual carriageway, overtaking parked or moving vehicle - bike, inside multilane roundabout, parking on the side, avoiding careless drivers and obstacles)
• CHANGING SPEED (check your centre mirror whenever you are reducing OR increasing your speed by changing gears, pressing footbrake or using gas pedal. you must check the centre mirror when you are approaching a red light, pedestrian crossing, preparing to stop or slow down, new speed limit sign)

Minors: 

•   Not checking your mirrors when there is no vehicle around you to be effected.

Majors: 

•   Missing, ineffective or lack of observation which causes other traffic to change their course of speed or direction and putting them on a dangerous situation.

During your test you should signal clearly to let others know what you are intending to do. This is particularly important to help other road users or pedestrians to react accordingly. 

You should always signal in good time and ensure that the signal is switched off after your manoeuvre is completed.When you signal to show your intention to other road users, make sure you indicate in good time. If your signal is late other road users will not have enough time to react to your intention, on the other hand if you signal too early that can confuse other road users and leading them to do inappropriate reaction.

 Remember higher the speed you are traveling you should much earlier signal to give enough time to others to react.

You should not beckon or invite to pedestrians to cross the road.

Minors: 

• Unnecessary (indicating for crossing a roundabout on approach, forget to signal when it is needed or cancel signal after)
• Incorrect (indicating right for turning left)
• Timed (signal late or too early)

Majors: 

• Your mistake leads others to suddenly change their course of speed or direction.

When you are passing parked vehicles and other obstructions, you should make enough space to pass safely (Higher the speeds you are traveling make a bigger gap on your left to pass).

You needed to watch out for changing situations such as pedestrians walking out from between parked cars, doors opening and vehicles trying to move off. Always maintain adequate clearance around your car, look for potential hazards around and ahead of you, anticipate what is going to happen and be prepare to slow down or stop if needed.

Minors: 

•  Driving too close on your left 
• meting oncoming traffic

Majors: 

•  Taking priority from oncoming traffic
• approaching fast toward meeting traffic situation 

When you are driving you need to show that you can react correctly to all traffic signs, road markings, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. 

You should obey signs like STOP , traffic lights (temporarily ,filtered) ,speed limit ,warning  (Bends ,humps ,speed reduction ,road narrowing) ,lane closure ,no turning ,no entry ,no overtaking solid line ,one way road ,Zebra crossing ,slow moving vehicle and direction signs before junctions and roundabouts.

You should watch out for signs, identify the hazard and prepare yourself and car to follow the orders in a good time.

be proactive instead of reactive to make your examiner feel safe.

Emergency and Incident Support vehicles. You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, or Highways Agency Traffic Officer and Incident Support vehicles using flashing amber lights. When one approaches do not panic and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road. Don’t endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians. Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you.

Minors: 

• Following wrong direction 
• Hesitation on Amber light

Majors: 

• Over or under speeding (speed limit)
• Not stopping on STOP sign  
• taking wrong lane before junction
• Going through RED light
• Not responding to pedestrian crossing
• Overtaking
• Not responding to an emergency vehicle

You should make safe and reasonable progress along your route. You needed to keep in mind the road, traffic and weather conditions, road signs and speed limits. You needed to show confidence based on sound judgement. Remember, at all times you should have been able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Minors:

• Driving too slow

Majors:

•   Driving too slow, forcing other traffic to overtake you

You should always keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can stop safely if the vehicle in front stops.(read adequate clearance)

Always clear 1 meter for every mile of your speed between you and the vehicle in front (stopping distance, Highway Code Rule 126).  

(e.g. if your speed is 38 m/h you should keep 38 meters gap with the vehicle in front.) 

So higher speed you are traveling greater the gap between you and vehicle in front.

You should leave extra distance in wet or slippery conditions. 

Clear 2 meter for every mile of your speed between you and the vehicle in front .

(e.g. if your speed is 38 m/h you should keep 76 meters gap with the vehicle in front.) 

When you are stopped in traffic queues, stop 2 meters away from vehicle in front.(tyre and tarmac rule).if the vehicle is big like a bus or truck stop 4 meters away.

Minors:

• Stopping too close behind vehicle on traffic queue
•  Driving close behind moving vehicles 

Majors:

•   Driving too close from vehicles in front on high speed

During your test you should show that you can drive at a realistic speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions without over speeding or hesitating.

You need to approach all hazards at a safe, controlled speed, without being over cautious or slowing or stopping other road users (undue hesitation).

You should always be ready to move away from junctions as soon as it is safe and correct to do so if you have a clear view.

Driving too slowly can frustrate other drivers and force them to overtake you which creates danger for yourself and others.

You must not go over the speed limit when you are overtaking a vehicle.

Minors:

• Over speeding few miles over the speed limit for short time
• Driving too slowly without any vehicles aroun
• Hesitation on junctions

Majors:

• Over speeding
• Hesitating to clear junctions (roundabout, mini roundabout, traffic light, turning, emerging , moving off) repeatedly when it is safe to do so
• Driving too slow causing others to overtake you

The examiner expecting for correct use of the Mirror –Signal – Manoeuvre MSM procedure when you are dealing with junctions. 

The examiner is looking for your approach speed at junctions and roundabouts. You must plan ahead to be ready to stop at junctions by checking your mirrors ,changing gears down if it is necessary and reduce your speed in good time. Higher the speed you traveling, you should earlier reduce your speed.

Turning right across busy roads/dual carriageways is particularly dangerous. To drive safely and pass your test you must be confident that you can judge the speed and distance of oncoming traffic safely and have clear observation around. You also need to look out for other road users emerging and turning at Junctions and be ready to alter your course or stop. Check if the junction you are approaching is controlled (by traffic light) or uncontrolled. Be careful with controlled pedestrian crossing before some roundabouts (light is controlling crossing not the roundabout). 

The examiner, also looking for correct positioning at junctions and roundabouts before you approach regarding the direction you are traveling. Position your car on the left lane for turning left and use right lane for turning right on junction. If you are crossing or going straight ahead Look for signs and road markings in advance and position your car in a correct lane. 

You must position your car on far right lane if you are emerging right from a one-way road.

Avoid cutting corners when you are turning or emerging right.

Be extra watchful in poor light or bad weather conditions for the more vulnerable road user, such as cyclists and motorcyclists.

This is because these skills are essential for dealing with these hazards safely.

Minors:

• Approaching too slow or fast to junction
• Lack of observation
• Cutting corners when there is no car waiting

Majors:

• Slowing down too late or too soon on approach
• Lack of observation leading to misjudgement
• not waiting for vehicles approaching from right on roundabout
• Approaching on left lane for turning right
• Positioning left lane for emerging 
• right on one way road
• Approaching from right lane to turn left 
• Cutting in front of cars when turning

Your examiner will assess your judgment skills throughout the test. You need to show sound judgment when overtaking, meeting or crossing the path of other road users. You should only do this when it is safe and legal. You should make your intentions by showing clear signals and make sure that you understood the intentions of other road users. Earlier and better observation always gives you more time to think, decide and make a perfect judgment. More information you have on the road, better decision you can make.

When you decide to overtake other road users (cars, slow moving vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian) make sure it is SAFE for you and others and it is legal to do so. 

Make sure you don’t go over the speed limit when you are overtaking.

Check signs and road markings and be sure it is legal to overtake.

Take extra care when you are overtaking bikes and horse riders. (They are vulnerable and unpredictable)

When you are overtaking, Make sure others are not going to change their course of speed or direction before you start. (Check their indicator, speed, hand signal, brake light and position)

When you come across meeting other traffic on the road, look for priorities, check their signals (like position, speed, eye to eye contact and lights), reduce your speed and prepare to stop if you need to. 

Don’t anticipate others will follow the rule and give your priority, therefore always be ready to stop to be safe.

Earlier you start your observation, earlier you can access and earlier decide.

Minors:

• Lack of observation before over taking
• Hesitation to take or give priority when meeting other traffic

Majors:

• Lack of observation, crossing solid line or unsafe overtaking
• Fail to stop for other’s priority, misjudgement and becoming obstruction on the road
• Cutting in front of overtaking vehicle to soon

You should position your car in a safe position; normally this would be keeping well to the left of the road and parked cars (about 1 meter gap). You needed to keep clear of parked vehicles and be positioned correctly for the direction that you intend to take. You needed to look for and be guided by road signs and markings. Other road users may judge your intentions by where you are positioned so be aware of where you are at all times.

When you are driving on high speed roads (dual carriageways) make sure you drive inside your lane and don’t straddle between lines.

On narrow roads make sure you maintain a safe speed to be able to position in your lane spastically round the sharp bends.

On a multi-lane roundabout it is important to keep the car inside your lane all the time. Avoid changing gears or speed when you need your both hands on the steering wheel to have full control of your car.

Minors:

• Straddling between lines if doesn’t affect other road users

Majors:

• Straddling on a roundabout, or multi-lane road
• Driving too close or far from parked cars

On your test you should be able to identify the different types of pedestrian crossing (Puffin, Zebra, Toucan, Pelican, Pegasus and school crossing patrol) and approach each one in a correct way. 

As soon as you identified a crossing:

1. Check your centre mirror to see what is happening behind you
2. Ease of the gas and hold your speed
3. You MUST NOT overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing or the vehicle has stopped to give way to pedestrians. In queuing traffic, you should keep the crossing clear even it is green.
4. Access the crossing and anticipate if you need to stop or not. If you see pedestrians are waiting to cross prepare to stop.
5. Check all your mirrors and Make sure it is safe and clear to go(you must wait for pedestrians to cross even if light is green)

You need to monitor your speed and time your approach to crossings so that you can stop safely if you need to do so. You should have paid particular attention where crossings were partly hidden by queuing or parked vehicles. You should also show consideration for elderly or infirm pedestrians who are trying to cross the road.

Pedestrian refuge island narrows the road, which may reduce the speed of vehicles. There is no pedestrian priority. Motor vehicles have priority, therefore don’t stop or invite pedestrians if they are waiting to cross. You must stop if pedestrian has started to cross.

Minors:

• Approaching fast
• Lack of observation

Majors:

• Fail to stop on a crossing
• Overtaking on approach
• Sudden braking 
• Stop after stop lineStop for waiting pedestrians on Crossing island
• Block a crossing while waiting on a traffic queue

During your test your examiner will ask you to pull up for few times or even in several occasions (it is normal). Before you slow down or stop you need to find a safe, legal and convenient place to stop than use MSM routine to park:

Look for signs and road markings and make sure it is legal to stop.(avoid bus stop, double and single yellow lines, zigzag line, schools ,before and after junctions, parking restriction zone and …)

Park lose to the edge of the road, where you will not block the road or become an obstruction to others and create a hazard. (About foot away from the kerb).

Never park over the kerb otherwise a traffic sign permits or in emergency situations.

You should know how and where to stop without causing inconvenience or danger to other road users.

Minors:

• Illegal place to park
• Mounting or brushing the kerb

Majors:

• Driving slowly wondering for parking place while slowing down traffic
• Parking far away from kerb (half a metre)
• Parking in an unsafe place

You must be aware of other road users at all times. Your examiner is looking to see that you plan ahead to judge what other road users are going to do. This will allow you to predict how their actions will affect you and react in good time. You need to anticipate road and traffic conditions, and act in good time, rather than reacting to them at the last moment. You should take particular care to consider the actions of the more vulnerable groups of road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, other motorcyclists and horse riders.

Look far away and gather information(signs, road marking, other road users, pedestrians, road condition, traffic behind you, weather and visibility) access the situation by anticipating others actions, decide what you are going to do and prepare yourself and your vehicle for action.

Be proactive instead of reactive.

Minors:

• Lack of observation and awareness

Majors:

• Lack of awareness causing you to react inappropriate, suddenly and unprepared

You needed to show that you can operate all of your vehicle’s controls safely and effectively While you are driving.The examiner was looking to see that whilst on the move you kept proper control of your vehicle whilst using secondary controls. These include demisters, heating controls, indicators and windscreen wipers.

SHOW ME

If you have forgotten how to operate an ancillary just operate a convenience one instead of wondering around which can cost you the whole test.

Minors:

• Fail to operate ancillaries

Majors:

• Losing control of your car while operating an ancillary