Driving Test Tips – Mirrors

Posted in: Driving Courses, Driving Test Tips.

Driving Test Tips – Use of Mirrors

Everybody says when I go for my driving test I’m going to make it really obvious to the driving examiner when I check my mirrors.  The only problem with this plan is you will be doing something that you don’t normally do on your driving lessons, and the driving examiner is trained to pick up your mirror checks, so don’t try this one, as it may back fire on you.

So the driving test lasts for about 40-45 minutes and in that time you are going to need, to be checking your mirrors on a pretty consistent basis. If you have been training with a driving instructor he or she should have been helping you to understand why, how and when to use your mirrors.

I work with customers all the time preparing them for the driving test, and there are some really simple ways to remember when to check your mirrors.

Slowing down: If your planning far enough ahead and spot a situation that could potentially make you slow down, like a change to a lower speed, or some traffic lights that are green but may change to amber, then should really be thinking about what is happening behind you, before you come off the gas pedal, so check all three mirrors before deciding on what action you should take.

Speeding Up: If your going to accelerate to higher speed before stepping on the gas pedal, you should, check all three mirrors just to make certain nobody is already overtaking or undertaking you, if they are you may want to maintain your speed.

 Turning Left: When turning left into a side junction, you should check your centre and left door mirrors, just in case a cyclist is undertaking you. Also the centre mirror is important if another vehicle behind is too close to you.

Turning Right: When turning right into a side junction, you should check your centre and right door mirrors, just in case someone is already or about to overtake  you. Also the center mirror is important if another vehicle behind is too close to you.

Changing Position: If your planning on changing your vehicles position in the road such as overtaking a moving vehicle or going around a parked car, or changing lanes you should be certain that there are no other vehicles around you, who you may affect, so check the appropriate mirrors before altering your position.

Always check your mirrors and indicate before stopping or moving off during your driving test. As well as your mirrors you should look carefully over your shoulders to check your blind spots. Failure to do the latter will most certainly get you a minor fault mark, and could be potentially hazardous to other road users.

Tags: driving test tips, effective use of mirrors, how to use mirrors, mirror faults, Mirrors, pass the driving test, use of mirrors