5 myths uncovered about learning to drive

Several myths have grown up around the whole process of learning to drive. Some are strange, but most are just plain wrong. Here we bust some of these myths:

1. Driving test examiners only pass a certain number of people per day.

This is completely untrue, and has probably been given as an excuse from somebody who was embarrassed at failing. Driving examiners do not have quotas. If you drive well enough in your test then you will pass. If you drive dangerously or make too many mistakes then you will fail. Examiners are professional, their “having a bad day” will not affect your chances of passing, and neither will you wearing a short skirt! You’ll sometimes hear this myth being passed on with the advice to “get your test in the morning, before they fill their quota”, ignore this advice, take your test at any time of day and the only thing that will affect your chances of passing is the quality of your driving.

2. Men are better drivers.

Again this is completely untrue. Statistics show that neither men nor women are better. While we are generalising here, in general, women are more careful and better able to anticipate danger, men are better able to manoeuvre the car. Men tend to require fewer lessons to pass their test, but women have fewer accidents so often get cheaper insurance.

3. Most people only need a few driving lessons to pass their test.

We all hear people telling us that they “only had six lessons” or something similar. The only way this could have happened is if they were taught by a friend or family member for many hours, before taking just a few lessons before their test. In most cases they are wildly exaggerating or have a very poor memory. Latest DVSA (Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency) statistics show that the average person had over forty hours of driving lessons and an extra sixteen hours of private practice before they passed their test.

4. Driving schools make you take more lessons than you really need.

This myth has come about because nobody wants to part with hard-earned money. Driving schools are paid by the lesson. People who are reluctant to pay for more lessons, believing that they can pass their test, start to suggest that the Driving School is trying to get more money out of them. Of course, this is very rarely true. Driving schools exist to help people pass their test and drive safely. In reality the main cause of people failing the driving test is that they have taken it before they are ready. Actually many people are putting pressure on their instructor to enter them for their test when more lessons would be beneficial, and they are just not ready for the test.

5. The Theory Test is just common sense.

This isn’t really true. Some answers in the multiple choice may involve a certain amount of common sense, or a good grounding of general knowledge (road signs for example), but many require some learning. For example it’s not really common sense that the minimum car tyre tread depth is 1.6mm!

To find out more about learning to drive in Glasgow contact TX Driver Training now on 0141 764 1213.