A-Z of Learning to Drive
- roadstardriving
- Jun 1, 2021
- 3 min read
Part 3 I - L
Independent Driving
You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:
· directions from a sat nav
· traffic signs
·
The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.
They’ll set the sat nav up for you. You can’t use your own sat nav.
If you can’t see traffic signs
If you can’t see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.
Going off the route
The examiner won’t give you a fault for taking a wrong turning.
They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.
Junctions
Approaching junctions can be a very intimidating part of learning to drive and there are many different types of junctions. When you’re ready Roadstar will teach you how to tackle junctions safely and easily.
Learning to drive would be much easier if there was just one type of junction, but sadly that’s not the case. There are several distinct types of junctions with different road conditions adding even more variation. There’s a general gist to approaching junctions, but it’s best to understand the subtle differences between junction types before you take your driving test; you don’t want to have to work it out with your examiner in the car!
Unmarked junctions – If you do a lot of driving on rural or general quiet roads, you’ll probably be familiar with the unmarked junction. They’re usually quite small, have no stop/give way sign and no helpful road markings whatsoever. Unmarked junctions are popular with examiners as they really test your control skills and how you deal with other road users.
Marked junctions – Marked junctions are the more civilised cousins of the unmarked junction. They have give way or stop signs, are generally larger than unmarked junctions and, thankfully, have stop lines and other road markings. It’s almost certain that you’ll tackle a marked junction if there’s one on your test route.
Controlled junctions – Always featuring traffic lights to control traffic and generally including a bicycle waiting area, controlled junctions are often made up of multiple lanes, making them a challenge for new drivers. They often include filter lights, which can catch out learners who are unfamiliar with them.
Staggered junctions – Staggered junctions are best described being like a wonky or offset crossroads. They can be tricky for new drivers, so we’ll cover them separately.
Box junctions – Box junctions include a yellow box filled with crossed lines and are usually (but not always) controlled by traffic lights. No driver may enter the yellow box unless their exit is clear, this ensures that traffic keeps flowing.
Open, closed and blind junctions – The terms ‘open’, ‘closed’ and ‘blind’ can be applied to any junction. Open junctions give you a clear view of both directions as you approach. They’ll have a give way sign and – if the road is clear – you don’t have to stop to emerge from them, although you will need to slow down to an appropriate speed.
Knowledge Centre
The DVSA has a great online Driver Knowledge Centre, where you can discover more about the skills, knowledge and understanding that you’ll need to be a safe and responsible driver. The topics covered work alongside the National Driving Standard.
The National Driving Standard has been created by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the road. It describes good driving practice and is a benchmark for passing your practical test and remaining a good driver throughout your life.
Check it out
L Plates
A learner driver must always display ‘L’ plates when they are learning to drive. It is a legal requirement and an offence not to display them.
‘L’ plates should be displayed on both front and rear bumpers. You may wish to tie them on or alternatively you may wish to use magnetic ‘L’ plates which allow for easy removal when the vehicle is being driven by a fully licensed driver. A note of caution however, magnetic ‘L’ plates have a tendency to fall off so it is important to check periodically that they remain in place.
Plates should be removed or covered when not being driven by a learner (except on driving school vehicles).
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