5 reasons why people fail driving tests in Dubai
While every expat dreams of driving their own car on the roads of Dubai, you know by now it is not easy to get a licence.
The moment you share the thought of starting your driving lessons, you will be bombarded with nightmarish stories of failed attempts. To bust these myths, we spoke to Emirates Driving Institute about the common mistakes people make during their RTA road test:
To bust these myths, we spoke to Emirates Driving Institute about the common mistakes people make during their RTA road test:
1. In a bid to impress the examiner, the drivers take extra-long time to adjust their mirrors and seats. This should not happen. These adjustments have to be swift. Delay only implies that the driver is not confident.
2. Don’t stop unnecessarily. Drivers tend to stop their vehicles suddenly when they see a pedestrian, and turn on their hazard lights, often without checking their rear-view mirror. A car may be right behind them, and stopping suddenly may cause accidents. At times, it is okay not to stop for a pedestrian until he steps onto the road.
3. Two to three drivers take the test in a single car. When the turn of one driver finishes and it’s time for the other driver, the second driver must wait until everyone in the back seat is settled. In a hurry, the new driver usually adjusts his seats, mirrors, seat belts, but fails to see if the previous driver has settled.
4. Be confident when changing lanes. This is one of the main reasons for failing a road test. When the examiner asks the driver to change lanes, the driver first has to check all his mirrors, and only when the road is clear should he complete the lane change. If the road is not clear, the driver must say so. Very often drivers rapidly increase or decrease speed for a lane change just to impress the examiner. This is dangerous.
5. The examiner’s instructions supersede any other instructions. If you are on a lonely road with absolutely no cars around, or in a closed and empty parking lot, and the examiner asks you to do something which is otherwise prohibited, you may object. But if he insists, please follow the instructions. These could be minor things like exiting the closed parking lot from the opposite direction, or crossing a yellow line, or parking in front of a gate, or applying the emergency brake. Remember, the examiner is completely aware of the surroundings and safety is his top priority.
Bonus tip: Some drivers have the habit of pressing the accelerator when the car is in neutral. Don’t do that. It’s treated as an immediate fail.
