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I'm a pro driving instructor... 5 mistakes ALWAYS catch learners out

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I'm a pro driving instructor... 5 mistakes ALWAYS catch learners out
I'm a pro driving instructor... 5 mistakes ALWAYS catch learners out

A DRIVING instructor who has helped thousands pass says five mistakes always catch learners out on tests and make them fail.

Josh Ramwell revealed the common errors in a clip he posted on YouTube.

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Josh listed five common mistakes learners makeCredit: You Tube/Josh The Driving Instructor

He said that half of all learners fail their tests - and that many drivers make the same mistakes.

The expert said: "The number one reason for failing your driving test in the UK is observations at junctions.

"Best way to avoid this - don't pull out on people.

Selfish drivers mount pavement outside family homes putting pedestrians at riskSelfish drivers mount pavement outside family homes putting pedestrians at risk

"Any time you're approaching a roundabout, always slow the car down as much as you can get away with - usually it's going to be second gear.

"Don't panic if you've gone too slow. After all, it's a roundabout - what's everyone expecting you to do?"

He added: "The other crucial thing to remember about roundabouts and junctions is that it's OK to let someone go.

"If you're not sure if you go or not when there's a car there, just wait.

"If you do pull out on someone or think it's a bit close, don't hang about - get out the way, put your foot down if needs be."

But Josh said that the moment you pull out, you should look in the direction you're driving.

The second common mistake made by learners is not using their mirrors correctly.

Josh said: "Put simply, it's about looking in the mirrors when you actually need to - not just randomly.

"Any time my car moves to the right across the road, I need to check my central and right mirrors - and any time my car moves to the left across the road, my central and left mirrors.

"That's what they call effective observation."

Top ten reasons learners fail their driving test revealed by the DVSATop ten reasons learners fail their driving test revealed by the DVSA

The driving instructor said you need to check your left mirrors when passing exits on a roundabout.

When joining a dual carriageway or motorway via a slip road, you need to check to the right to make sure there isn't a car coming behind you.

WHEELY GOOD

The third common mistake is losing control of steering - by going onto the kerb or drifting onto the wrong side of the road.

Josh said this usually happens when drivers try and turn at a "bell mouth" junction without hugging the kerb - blocking traffic.

Similar mistakes often happen when drivers fail to position themselves correctly before turning from a main road onto a side road.

Josh said: "Sometimes nerves just get the better of us - especially when we're in a driving test.

"We do crazy things we'd never normally do, like driving into the kerb."

You can use your windscreen wipers or a piece of tape as a "reference point" - helping you align perfectly with the kerb.

Looking towards the end of the road can also help you line up with the curb without driving onto it.

When steering past a parked car, pull out "nice and early" so you don't surprise any oncoming drivers.

The fourth common mistake learners make is incorrect positioning when turning right.

Make sure you are lined up correctly before turning - and if you do end up in the wrong lane, stay put rather than straying across the road.

Finally, when driving off from an exposed parking space, you need to do a 360-degree check for dangers - even if no one is around.

Josh said: "This is the only opportunity your examiner has to see if you understand what you're supposed to be doing.

"If you're not going to check it now, why would your examiner think you'd check it at Morrisons or Aldi where the car park is rammed?"

Harry Goodwin

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