Before you move off, there’s one habit every learner driver should master: the 360 degree observation, also known as the 6 point check.
This routine is essential to keep you and others safe whilst you are behind the wheel. Practise it regularly, and it will become an automatic part of your driving.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to master these observations, when to use them, and why examiners love seeing them done properly.
- What is the 6 point check in driving?
- What is the meaning of 360 observation in driving?
- 6 point check before moving off
- When to do a 6 point check or 360 observation
- 360 observation and 6 point check in your driving test
- Can you fail your test for not looking all around before moving off?
What is the 6 point check in driving?
The 6 point check is a routine all learner drivers should know. It’s a routine of six observations designed to make sure that you are fully aware of what is happening all around you before you move off, change lanes, or perform any manoeuvre. These observations demonstrate fundamental driving skills that you will need to pass your test; they will also develop safe driving habits for the rest of your life.
It’s called the 6 point check because it involves six distinct checks: left shoulder, left mirror, road ahead, interior mirror, right mirror, and right shoulder. By following the six steps, you will cover every angle: mirrors, blind spots, and the road ahead, so that you know what is coming and can react accordingly.
What is the meaning of 360 observation in driving?
Sometimes, when you are taking driving lessons in Luton, Lincoln, and elsewhere in the UK, you might hear the term 360 observation. This is essentially the same principle as a 6 point check. It is a vital all-round check that is performed before moving away in a vehicle or performing a manoeuvre.
This means checking all around you, giving you a full 360-degree view of your surroundings, to ensure that you steer clear of any hazards that might appear before you start to move the vehicle.
If you notice a moving hazard coming towards you whilst doing your 360 degree observations, then you should wait for the hazard to clear before moving your car.
6 point check before moving off
Whether you are learning with one of our driving instructors in Milton Keynes or further afield, here is the method for 6 point checks that we teach in our lessons:
- Look over your left shoulder (if you are parked on the left) to check your blind spot.
- Check your left mirror to look for any approaching vehicles or hazards.
- Look ahead to make sure the road is clear and free of pedestrians.
- Check your interior mirror for any traffic or hazards behind you.
- Check your right mirror for any vehicles or hazards approaching on your right side.
- Look over your right shoulder to look for anything approaching. This is the final check before you release the handbrake.
If you are reversing, start the 6 point check from your right shoulder and finish with your left shoulder, as that is the direction you will be looking towards as you move backwards. This last check is the most important because it helps ensure nothing is approaching you from behind before you move out. It will be the observation that the examiner will be looking for most.
Keep practising these checks step by step until they become habitual. Once this happens, they will become automatic so that you are always checking thoroughly for danger before moving off.
When to do a 6 point check or 360 observation
The 6 point check and 360 observation are not just for moving off from a parked position. Other times to use them include:
- When manoeuvring in tight spaces, for example, when you are parking, reversing into a bay, or carrying out a three-point turn.
- Before joining a main road, where traffic may be approaching from several directions.
- Before changing lanes or overtaking, make sure you know exactly where other vehicles are around you.
- Any time that you find that visibility is limited, for example, when you are parked near bends, junctions, behind large vehicles, or in busy pedestrian areas.
In these situations, taking a moment to check mirrors, blind spots, and the road around you can protect you and others from an accident.
360 observation and 6 point check in your driving test
During your driving test, driving examiners are looking for confident, controlled, and safe driving. Completing 360 observations and 6 point checks demonstrates that you are aware of your surroundings and can make safe decisions. While every step is important, the key to impressing the examiner is to show that you are scanning properly and regularly, rather than rushing or skipping checks.
Examiners aren’t just looking for you to move your head quickly between mirrors. They want to see that you are actively scanning your surroundings and taking in the information around you. If a cyclist, pedestrian, or vehicle is approaching, you should wait until it is safe before moving off.
The most important thing to ensure is that your observations are clear, deliberate, and well-timed. Rushing the checks or skipping one completely can suggest that you have not properly checked what is going on around you. Taking a moment to complete your observations properly shows the examiner that you are driving responsibly and safely.
Can you fail your test for not looking all around before moving off?
Yes, skipping or doing an incomplete observation can count as a serious or dangerous fault during your driving test. In fact, not making effective observations is one of the DVSA’s top 10 reasons people fail their driving test in Great Britain. Examiners expect you to demonstrate that you are aware of what is happening in every direction.
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 they may use the dual controls immediately. Any use of the dual controls by the examiner will result in a serious or dangerous fault.
Key takeaways on the 360 observations and 6 point check
The 360 observations and 6 point check may only take a few seconds, but these routines can make a massive difference to your safety and confidence on the road. By checking all around your car before you move off, you ensure you are fully aware of anything that might pose a hazard.
If you are learning to drive, building this habit early on is incredibly valuable. This is why, whether you are taking driving lessons in Peterborough or Pitlochry, our instructors will teach you these routines from the very start. As you practise, these will soon become second nature, helping you stay aware and in control behind the wheel. It won’t take long before your 6 point check and 360 observations become a natural part of your driving routine.
Written by Anthony Johnson
Grade A - 51/51
ORDIT Registered Trainer
