The short answer is yes, but we want to discuss some reasons why learners may choose to drive more slowly on their driving test and go through some common mistakes which will hopefully help you, the learner, avoid this type of driving fault which can often be marked as serious or dangerous on the marking sheet.
Firstly, there is one category (section 20) on the marking sheet, known as ‘Progress’, which is broken down into two markable boxes:
- Appropriate speed
- Undue hesitation
Referring to the DVSA marking sheet explained, it says the following:
“On test you needed to show that you can drive at a realistic speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions. You needed to approach all hazards at a safe, controlled speed, without being over cautious or slowing or stopping other road users.”
The key phrase above is “speed appropriate to the road” and after reading it, you may be clear on what to do.
Why you can fail for driving too slowly
Appropriate Speed – common mistakes
- Driving at 5-10mph (or more) below the speed limit on a 30mph road. If it’s safe to do 30mph, then your speed should be between 28-30mph to avoid being marked down in this section.
- Driving 10mph (or more) below the speed limit on faster roads such as dual carriageways. If it is safe to do so, you must demonstrate to the examiner you can drive at the appropriate speed limit. If you are doing 60mph on a 70mph road, the examiner may assume that:
- You think it’s a 60mph speed limit
- You lack the confidence to do 70mph
- You don’t feel comfortable/safe driving at higher speeds
- You don’t understand the dangers of not driving the speed limit when it is safe to do so – i.e. cars overtaking/tailgating more.
The examiner is only there to mark the marking sheet, so they won’t be trying to work out what you are thinking (that’s a job for your instructor in the lessons). They will simply mark you according to what you do with the car and how you react and respond to the activity on the road.
Undue Hesitation – common mistakes
This basically means not leaving the junctions (such as roundabouts and T-junctions) when it’s safe to do so.
The driving examiners are very used to seeing nervous pupils and they will usually allow the first 5 minutes for nervousness a bit more. However, if you are waiting at a roundabout for too long and you miss too many chances to go, they will have no choice but to mark you down in this section.
After reading this, please don’t go to the other extreme now and make rash decisions at junctions to avoid stopping and waiting for too long. You can often receive 2 or 3 driving faults for undue hesitation and still pass the driving test. However, if you make one rash decision and decide to go when you shouldn’t, that will result in a serious or dangerous fault – which is a test fail.
Tips to avoid undue hesitancy:
- Check your junctions regularly and early – “early vision, early decision!”
- Don’t stare at the junction. Glance and then recheck what the traffic ahead is doing. Drivers that stare to the right often hit a vehicle from behind at junctions. This is known as a rear end shunt.
- When you approach junctions (especially busy ones), check your mirrors and then come off the gas. When you do that, you are purchasing “thinking time”. This gives your brain more time to scan and plan ahead. If your foot remains on the gas leading up to the junction, then you will need to think a lot quicker and you’ll naturally have less time to respond.
- If you think you’ve missed 1 or 2 chances to go at a junction to go, don’t worry on what you have missed, focus on the next opportunity to go. Look for blockers (vehicles crossing the path of your danger) for opportunities to go. At busy roundabouts, it often pays to look at the potential blockers a lot more. if a blocker comes along, make sure it’s 100% safe by assessing their signal, position and speed properly!
True story…
“There used to be an examiner quite a few years ago who used to hint if you were driving too slow. He’s now retired.
If you were driving too slow, he would often say, “At the end of the road, when you finally get there, turn left.”
Or, sometimes he’d tap his watch.
As instructors, we used to teach our learners that, if they were to get ‘Mr [examiner’s name]’, and he says the above or taps his watch, that means you’re going too slow, so check your speed and take the hint!”
Steven Crosswell – driving instructor in Northampton
