Misinformation concerning the driving check is risking learners’ probabilities of passing – and placing some drivers on the improper facet of the regulation – warns the AA Driving Faculty.
Myths concerning the driving check and studying course of have been round for years, however drivers’ information of the reality stays patchy, in line with new analysis.
Worryingly, the analysis confirmed, one in twenty (6%) consider you may be drunk when supervising a learner driver. In actuality, the identical drink driving legal guidelines apply when you find yourself supervising a learner and anybody drunk answerable for a learner dangers factors and a high-quality.
Solely a 3rd (34%) appropriately knew a learner driver is allowed on a motorway for follow so long as it’s with a totally certified Accredited Driving Teacher and in a dual-controlled automobile.
And one in 5 (20%) didn’t know that learners may get factors on their licence. Truly, learners can obtain factors that are then carried over on their full licence after they move. If these factors exceed 6 then the brand new driver will lose their licence underneath the New Driver’s Act.
Younger drivers had been the most definitely to be improper about whether or not you may put on sun shades throughout your driving check and the most definitely to incorrectly consider examiners have move/fail quotas.
When it got here to the driving check itself the next proved to be 5 generally held myths concerning the driving check:
- Hitting the Kerb: 72% both didn’t know or thought it was true that for those who hit the kerb throughout your check you fail routinely. If you happen to simply contact it throughout a manoeuvre it’s extra more likely to be a minor, although for those who mount it then it’ll class as a significant fault and failure.
- Sun shades: 60% (76% 18-24 yr olds) both didn’t know, or thought it was true, that you may’t put on sun shades in your driving check. You might be allowed to put on sun shades, however the degree of tint should be graded 0-3, as for any driver.
- Quotas: 45% (64% 18-24 yr olds) both didn’t know or thought it was true that examiners have a move/fail quota. Examiners should not have a quota or a goal for move/fails.
- Minor Faults: 88% both didn’t know of mentioned it was false that you may move your check with 14 minor faults. In reality, learners who get no main faults and 15 or fewer minor faults will move their sensible check.
- Unbiased Driving: 73% both didn’t know or mentioned it was false that learner drivers should drive independently for 20 minutes on the check utilizing satnav or street indicators. Ten minutes of unbiased driving was launched to the driving check in 2010 and elevated to twenty minutes in 2017.
Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of AA Driving Faculty, mentioned: “There’s a lot data on the market about studying to drive, and it’s modified a lot over time, that it’s no marvel a few of these myths have caught round.
“It’s essential that misinformation concerning the driving check, and legal guidelines round learner drivers, is debunked. These myths don’t assist learners, who want correct data with the intention to give themselves the perfect probability of passing their check.
“Worse nonetheless, a few of the issues folks consider, corresponding to being allowed to be drunk when you find yourself supervising a learner, put them in danger on the roads and of breaking the regulation.
“If you happen to’re studying to drive and apprehensive you don’t have the proper data, ensure you examine a good web site or ask your driving teacher for recommendation.”
The present move charge for the sensible driving check is 49.2%. A number of the commonest errors folks make on their driving check are launched yearly. The AA Driving Faculty has ideas for learners to keep away from these widespread driving check faults.
