[********]

I've got my driving lesson really soon and I just wanted to ask are the driving test routes really important. I mean one driving test route for me is the Hitchin route. So, do I need to memorise every part of this route. The independent driving is only 10 minutes and all I need to do is follow the directions that come up.

So is it REALLY important to learn the test routes???

I'm really sorry if I have confused anyone

Thanks to whoever answers

[ser00]

wait, you want to memorise all parts of all the test routes? you know the examiner will give you directions right? dunno about where you live, but at my test centre, there were 20+ routes, and it would take ages to learn everything about all of them. tbh, it seems kinda pointless, as there's bound to be unexpected cars/pedestrians etc. if you pick the test centre closest to your house/school/where you take your lessons, then you should know the area pretty well anyway.

when i did my test, i went down loads of roads i'd never been down before and i did fine (passed first time with 4 minors after 20 hrs lessons).

also, i sorta feel like it's cheating a bit...surely you'd be a much better driver if you can adapt to unfamiliar roads?

[emilie18]

I didn't know any of the driving test routes, I had just practised in different parts of the area I knew I would be tested in. As long as you've driven around the test centre before and have gone over tricky junctions or roundabouts, you'll be absolutely fine. The examiner gives you directions. I went down a few places I'd never been down before - for my manoevres and my independant driving. They want to see how you react to familiar and unfamiliar roads so just keep calm and drive sensibly, you'll be fine.

[TheFatController]

I thought they scrapped test routes about a year ago? Admittedly I imagine the examiners still follow them unofficially as the routes were chosen for a reason

[********]

(Original post by ser00)
wait, you want to memorise all parts of all the test routes? you know the examiner will give you directions right? dunno about where you live, but at my test centre, there were 20+ routes, and it would take ages to learn everything about all of them. tbh, it seems kinda pointless, as there's bound to be unexpected cars/pedestrians etc. if you pick the test centre closest to your house/school/where you take your lessons, then you should know the area pretty well anyway.

when i did my test, i went down loads of roads i'd never been down before and i did fine (passed first time with 4 minors after 20 hrs lessons).

also, i sorta feel like it's cheating a bit...surely you'd be a much better driver if you can adapt to unfamiliar roads?

Oh no i didn't mean i want to memorise all the test routes. Its only that my instructor said to me last week "do you remember all of the test routes" and when i did one route with her i must have taken the wrong exist and stuff and she made suh a BIG DEAL out of it.....but ive got rid of her now..i've got my old instructor back who went on maternity leave.

[Advisor]

There's no harm at all in visiting a particular junction that is somewhat unorthodox, providing you understand why it's unusual, what technique to apply and how to apply that technique to other similar junctions. Just don't keep following routes turn by turn and getting in the way of other people on test. If you see more than two learner drivers with instructors on the same stretch of road, it's time to move elsewhere. Local residents and other road users get annoyed with over use of certain areas by learner drivers.

Be flexible, learn how to "sight read" a road you haven't been on before and this will bring you more success than "route learning" ever will.

(Original post by TheFatController)
I thought they scrapped test routes about a year ago? Admittedly I imagine the examiners still follow them unofficially as the routes were chosen for a reason

Examiners still have to follow pre-approved routes. It's the publication of them which was scrapped. Routes can be varied by the examiner in certain circumstances.

(Original post by ********)
Its only that my instructor said to me last week "do you remember all of the test routes" ... she made suh a BIG DEAL out of it.....but ive got rid of her now..

Good decision

[alison.joy]

Why would you need to learn all the routes when the examiner will give you directions? i passed my test this morning (booyah) first time! and i was in two completely strange places that id never been in before. but it didnt matter cause i can drive and i was taught to drive in different situations, not to drive exact 'routes'. as long as you know all the ins and outs, and all the tricky bends and junctions youll be fine!

xx

[********]

(Original post by alison.joy)
Why would you need to learn all the routes when the examiner will give you directions? i passed my test this morning (booyah) first time! and i was in two completely strange places that id never been in before. but it didnt matter cause i can drive and i was taught to drive in different situations, not to drive exact 'routes'. as long as you know all the ins and outs, and all the tricky bends and junctions youll be fine!

xx

Yeah I get what you mean but I was just wondering because of the 10 minutes of independent driving. I know its only 10 minutes but I thought we had to know all the test routes...thats what my old instructor said :/

[********]

(Original post by Advisor)
There's no harm at all in visiting a particular junction that is somewhat unorthodox, providing you understand why it's unusual, what technique to apply and how to apply that technique to other similar junctions. Just don't keep following routes turn by turn and getting in the way of other people on test. If you see more than two learner drivers with instructors on the same stretch of road, it's time to move elsewhere. Local residents and other road users get annoyed with over use of certain areas by learner drivers.

Be flexible, learn how to "sight read" a road you haven't been on before and this will bring you more success than "route learning" ever will.


Examiners still have to follow pre-approved routes. It's the publication of them which was scrapped. Routes can be varied by the examiner in certain circumstances.

Good decision

Its only that my instructor said to me last week "do you remember all of the test routes" ... she made suh a BIG DEAL out of it.....but ive got rid of her now..

Good decision

Haha yeah I know...the best decision I've made...stupid lady pissed me right of -_-

[ROG.]

Knowing any tricky parts on possible test routes is useful but apart from that then knowing them is not important

[alison.joy]

(Original post by ********)
Yeah I get what you mean but I was just wondering because of the 10 minutes of independent driving. I know its only 10 minutes but I thought we had to know all the test routes...thats what my old instructor said :/

yea,i know where you are coming from, but there is nothing wrong with checking directions etc with the examiner. He isnt testing your route-memorising skillsn rather your ability to drive safely anywhere.

[Runninground]

(Original post by ROG.)
Knowing any tricky parts on possible test routes is useful but apart from that then knowing them is not important

This.

Also the DSA stopped publishing the routes a few years ago.

[one to one]

Examiners cannot make routes up off their own bat, they must follow sanctioned routes unless traffic/ roadworks/ candidate goes the wrong way. Since 4th October 2010 test routes were no longer published, routes at that time were changed/modified to comply with the new format,i.e. indy driving and only one manoeuvre. Familiarity with certain routes/ location can help however you are at the mercy of the traffic situation/s at the time. It would take more effort to learn all the routes, even if you knew them all, than to actually learn to drive anywhere.

one to one