Driving Test Cancellations - Tips and Tricks for Learner Drivers During Lockdown

Over the past twelve months, the number of young individuals that have had the opportunity to take their practical driving examination has been a fraction of what it normally is, and that can be attributed directly to the devastating effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Driving instructors have not been able to teach their charges, and the test centres across the UK have remained closed. Whilst this is certainly not an ideal situation, there are reasons to be optimistic. Namely, it provides you with the time needed to finesse your abilities. Nobody can regard themselves to be the perfect driver, and this especially applies to learners. Therefore, rather than sitting idly by, waiting for the so-called ‘storm’ to end, the onus is on you to try and keep practicing.

Perhaps you are someone that has routinely struggled to complete a three-point turn; it could be that, after having received your theory test pass certificate, you have allowed the knowledge learnt to slip away. Whatever your circumstances may be, there are countless ways in which you can optimise your time during lockdown. The Driving Test Cancellations experts, who have an incredible success rate when it comes to sourcing early tests, are here to explain the tips and tricks which can help you through the ongoing lockdown. If you take a glimpse at the list below, you may find something which perhaps escaped your notice. These pieces of advice could well be the difference between a successful test, and one which results in you having to look for another viable date.

Familiarise Yourself with Your Vehicle

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to take your driving test in your instructor’s vehicle. If you have already purchased a car of your own, there is nothing stopping you from undergoing the examination in that. The primary reason that people decide to use their instructor’s is because they have spent the vast-majority of their learning period driving that. However, due to the extended break regarding lessons, the chances are that it will have been many months since this was the case. As such, now is the ideal time to get in some much-needed practice in your own vehicle.

Whenever possible, you should try to get out-and-about with one of your family members. This will enable you, for example, to understand the best ways in which to use your clutch, as well as any quirks which your vehicle has. Being aware of these means that, when the time eventually comes to take your test, you will not be taken unaware. Being in full control during your test is of paramount importance, as your examiner will be carefully scrutinising your overall driving proficiency. If you want to ensure that you give them no reasons to mark you down, the time spent going on extended drives will prove to be invaluable.

Revisit Your Theory Prep

Most people that have already gained their full license will agree that, subsequent to their successful theory test, they happily leave the Highway Code gathering dust on a shelf. Whilst this is all well-and-good, it can be incredibly detrimental to one’s driving capabilities. Although you may not like to admit it, the fact of the matter is that the theory test is there for a reason. It is meant to help you recognise the number of road signs which you will encounter on the roads, as well as understand things such as right of way at roundabouts.

Whilst you have an abundance of time on your hands during lockdown, there are a variety of things which you can do to try and maximise the chances of passing your test when the day finally does arrive. For example, completing a number of hazard perception simulations will help you to improve your reaction times - should you be asked to complete an emergency stop when it is safe to do so, you will be ready-and-waiting. When you are struggling for things to do to stave off the inevitable boredom, it could be wise to pick up your revision book and refresh yourself on the types of road markings which your practical area may contain.

Practice the Manoeuvers

One of the sure-fire things which is guaranteed to crop up in each-and-every practical driving test is a manoeuver of some kind. Though learners try to gloss over this, it is undoubtedly one of the hardest sections of the test, and this is because there are various ones which could be chosen by the examiner. It might be that you have to complete a forward bay park, or instead they may opt for the classic parallel park. As a learner, you must endeavour to be prepared for anything that comes your way, hence why additional practice time should be regarded as a blessing, rather than a curse.

The chances are that out of the four current options in circulation, there is one which you regard to be your favourite. However, you cannot simply continue to improve your ability to complete this, whilst neglecting all of the others. This is a careless way of thinking, and will almost certainly backfire. Instead of spending your hours during lockdown reclined on your sofa relaxing, it would be much better to try and do something which has tangible benefits. Though you may slightly resent the hard graft, particularly if you end up getting your preferred manoeuver, later down the line these extensive rehearsals could prove to be incredibly helpful.

Don’t Dwell on Your Test

If you had a test already booked, which was subsequently cancelled due to the effects of the Coronavirus epidemic, it is understandable that you might be incredibly frustrated sitting around. This is particularly true for those of you that believed that they had the skills and proficiency necessary to pass with ease. Unfortunately, there is no point in dwelling on the past - instead, you need to look to the future. Try not to keep your mind focussed on your examination; a better use of your time would be to simply try and continuously sharpen your abilities behind the wheel.

At the end of the day, you have to keep in mind that at some point, hopefully in the near future, things will return to a semblance of what is regarded to be ‘normal’. This will mean that there will be tests aplenty, and you will finally be able to gain the license that you have been dreaming about for months on end. Until then, however, you should do all in your power to make sure that when that time comes, you have within your repertoire necessary to make the examination a breeze. What used to be ‘working days’, or days that you would have spent relaxing, can not be added into a schedule of relentless practice. The result of this will be that you will encounter no difficulties when the day of your test finally arrives.

Want to Learn More?

Though you may be slightly frustrated about the fact that your driving lessons are suspended during lockdown, and you won’t be able to get a driving test booked at any time in the near future, there are still various reasons to remain upbeat. Once tests resume, you may have the opportunity to get an earlier driving test than you first thought, due to other individuals having to change their driving tests. Not only this, but by using your time wisely, you can sharpen up on elements of your driving that were perhaps slightly below par. As one of the leading providers of earlier driving test dates, Driving Test Cancellations has a keen understanding of this industry.

Part of what makes us a top-tier authority on driving examinations, and the ways in which you can bolster your chances of achieving a passing grade, is that we have forged strong relationships with driving test centres across the country. In case you were not aware, here at Driving Test Cancellations we help aspiring drivers to find a driving test which is perhaps before that which they have already booked. Finding driving test cancellations is an incredible niche and difficult service, yet we have proven time-and-again that there are few that can match our expertise.

For those of you that have been searching for earlier examinations by themselves, but have been unsuccessful, it could be worthwhile getting in touch with a member of our team. When you come to Driving Test Cancellations, you have the opportunity to drastically reduce your waiting time, which is not something to be overlooked without a second though. If you would like to discuss your needs with one of our team over the phone, please call us on 07707 045982. Alternatively, you can write an email to us at [This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it] - we will do all that we can to assist you.