The meaning of 360 Observation in driving
A 360 observation, also known as a 6 point check is a vital all around check that is performed before moving away in you vehicle or performing a manoeuvre.
If you was on your driving test and you noticed a moving hazard coming towards you whilst doing your 360 degree observation (all round observations) then you would normally wait for the hazard to clear before moving your car.
Can you fail your driving test for not looking all around you before moving away?
Yes you can. Some learners fail their driving test in the test centre car park because of poor observations before moving away. In some instances the learner doesn’t look around fully and they then move away at the same time another car is leaving the test centre car park. If the examiner thinks the learner hasn’t seen the moving hazard then the examiner may use the dual controls immediately. Any use of the dual controls by the examiner will result in an a dangerous fault.
How to look all around you before moving away?
Imagine you are parked by the side of the road. Before you move away you should make sure your aware of everything around you. If you are parked on the left side of the road, you should look over your left shoulder first, then your left door mirror, then look ahead. Then you should check your interior mirror, right door mirror and then finally before releasing the handbrake you should look over your right shoulder. The right shoulder is the most important check and on your test this is the observation the examiner will be looking out for the most.
If you are reversing then you would normally start with looking over your right shoulder and finish looking over your left shoulder as that is the direction you want to look into as you move backwards.
