Hawkwell driving schools: Southend on Sea, Westcliff, Leigh, and surrounding areas.
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The following sections are all
written by Alan:
essentials
new pupil's page
best driving tips
driving test secrets
independent driving
driving on snow and ice
show me tell me
technique
general
control basics
safety drills
using the mirrors
left & right turns
one way streets
junctions
give way priority
giving warnings
zebra crossings
dual carriageways
roundabouts
mini-roundabouts
country lanes
overtaking parked cars
manoeuvres
general
reversing
parallel parking
bay parking
turn in the road
emergency stop
Hawkwell Driving School
Southend
Westcliff
Shoebury
Leigh
© 2011
Independent driving:
Now the driving test contains an independent driving section. This has been introduced to try to make you more self sufficient. It means that the examiner will give you a short series of directions, or ask you to follow signs, or show you a diagram of where he wants you to go. However, if you are unsure where to go when driving independently you can ask and the examiner will help you.
The only practical difference this makes is that at when "independent driving" at roundabouts you will have to look at the roadsign and decide if the turn you want is to the right, left, or straight ahead. Whereas during the rest of the test you are told which general direction your exit is in. See roundabout page.
This is not particularly challenging for most people, except when the roundabout layout is different to that shown on the roadsign. In this situation if you have plenty of time and space, change what you intend to do. If you haven’t got enough time or space, then continue as you were and go to the exit that you are lined up for, and indicate appropriately.
Just to emphasize: If you get in the wrong lane for where you want to go, don't change in a panic, just go where the lane you are in takes you, and indicate for that direction !
Independent driving is not about navigation skills - So if you take a wrong turn you won't fail because of it. You can only fail if you make driving faults, and you won’t fail for doing the sensible thing.
See the video below: