Is using the correct terminology important?

Some will think not, others will totally agree that it's important.

It's all about how well your students interpret what it is you are saying!

Some will understand perfectly that if you say "turn left" they know you'll mean at the next road.
However, others may well take that instruction literally and take the very next available turning on the left, which may be up someone's driveway!

How about "go straight ahead at the traffic lights"
Some will totally get it that you mean when the lights are on green
Others may interpret that as just keep going irrelevant of what the lights are showing!

Therefore, clear and concise instructions and terminology is crucial to each and every student that you teach.

The DVSA examiners all use a set sequence of wording which they learn during their training.

By using this same terminology throughout your training with your pupils, not only will the instructions be clear and concise, but your students will be prepared and understand what an examiner is asking of them when they take their driving test.

Below are all the instructions and wording that are used by DVSA examiners.
They are excellent when carrying out a mock test with your students and also just for general instructions.

General process for carrying out a Mock Test

Start the mock test and check your pupil’s driving licence
Explain to your pupil that you will be starting the mock test and you’ll be playing the role of the driving examiner from that point on.
Make sure they understand you will be roleplaying a driving examiner until you tell them otherwise.
Start by checking that the pupil has a valid UK driving licence.
What you should say
Good morning/afternoon may I see your driving licence?
Can you confirm your name is correct?
The test will include independent driving, various roads and traffic conditions.
I will ask you to complete one manoeuvre and we may carry out an emergency stop. The sort of things you have been practising with your instructor and accompanying driver.
Which car are you using?

Check your pupil’s eyesight
Ask your pupil to read a number plate on a parked vehicle which is at least 20m away - this is around 4 car lengths.
If they need to wear glasses to read a number plate, they must also wear them whenever they are driving.
If your pupil has dyslexia, they’re allowed to:
• read a rear number plate instead of a front number plate (the black text on a yellow background can be easier for them to read)
• read back to front or in a non-uniform order
• misread certain numbers and letters that are similar shapes such as B and 8, D and O, 5 and S
• write down the letters and numbers rather than reading them out
What you should say
Will you read the number plate of [description and colour of] car [where it’s parked, for example near the tree]

Ask a ‘tell me’ vehicle safety check question
Before getting in the car ask your pupil one ‘tell me’ vehicle safety check question.
Choose a question from the list of ‘tell me’ questions.
Make sure it’s appropriate for the weather conditions - for example, do not ask them to open the bonnet in high winds or heavy rain.
Your pupil is allowed to:
• refer to a vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions, for example, a tyre pressure monitoring system
• explain how they’d do a practical check if they have a disability which means they cannot physically do it
Make sure your pupil does not touch a hot engine or physically check the fluid levels when answering the question.

What you should say
I would like to ask you two safety questions about your vehicle.
[Ask the first question].
The second question will be a ‘show me’ question on the move. Please make yourself comfortable in your car and I will join you in a moment.

Start the car and move off
Join your pupil in the car, explain how your instructions will work, and ask them to move off.
Watch them to make sure the handbrake is applied and the car is in neutral gear before they start the engine.
What you should say
Throughout the drive continue ahead, unless traffic signs direct you otherwise. When I want you to turn left or right, I will tell you in plenty of time.
Move off when you are ready, please.

Give directions and instructions to your pupil
Give clear directions and instructions to your pupil in good time, especially where signs and markings show an option of lanes.
At complex junctions, roundabouts and gyratory systems, you might need to use extra wording to make the direction and route clear. The ‘What you should say’ section gives examples.
If your pupil has dyslexia or dyspraxia, you can make adjustments such as confirming directions by pointing or using hand signals.

What you should say
Drive on when you are ready, please.
Take the next road on the left/right, please.
Will you take the second road on the left/right, please. (If necessary, add this is the first.)
At the end of the road turn left/right, please.
At the roundabout turn left please.
At the roundabout turn left please - it’s the first exit.
At the roundabout follow the road ahead.
At the roundabout follow the road ahead - it’s the second exit.
At the roundabout turn right please.
At the roundabout turn right please - it’s the third exit.

Ask a ‘show me’ vehicle safety check question
While your pupil is driving you’ll need to ask them one ‘show me’ vehicle safety check question when it’s safe to do so.
You can ask them at any point during the test including the independent drive.
Choose a question from the list of ‘show me’ questions.

General driving
Stopping normally and moving off
You should ask the pupil to make at least 2 normal stops during the test. This can include when pulling up to start the independent driving section, as long as the road conditions allow.
Wherever possible, you should test the pupil’s ability to move off on a reasonably steep uphill gradient.
If stopping on a hill is not possible you should include another designated stop.
The test must always include moving off at an angle from behind a stationary vehicle
What you should say
For a normal stop
Pull up on the left at a safe place, please.
Drive on when you’re ready.
For a designated or hill stop
Pull up along here, just before …….. please.
Drive on when you’re ready.
For an angle start
Pull up on the left just before you get to the next parked car, please. (If necessary, add, leave enough room to move away.)
Drive on when you’re ready.

Carrying out a reverse manoeuvre
Ask your pupil to do one of the following exercises:
• parallel park at the side of the road
• park in a parking bay (reverse in and drive out)
• park in a parking bay (drive in and reverse out)
• pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic
You can ask them to do this at any point during the test including the independent drive.

Parallel park at the side of the road
What you should say
Would you pull up on the left well before you get to the next parked car, please.
This is the reverse parking exercise. Would you drive forward and stop alongside the car ahead. Then reverse in and park reasonably close to and parallel with the kerb. Try to complete the exercise within about 2 car lengths.
Park in a parking bay (reverse in and drive out)
What you should say
I should like you to reverse park in the car park. Drive forward into the car park, then reverse into a convenient parking bay. Finish within one of the bays.

Park in a parking bay (drive in and reverse out)
What you should say
I would like you to drive forward into a convenient parking bay finishing within the lines, either to the left or the right (if car park allows).
Now I would like to reverse out either to the left or the right. [Direct your pupil if arrows indicate a one-way system in the car park].

Pull up on the right and reverse
What you should say
Pull up on the right when it is safe to do so, please.
I would now like you to reverse for about 2 car lengths, keeping reasonably close to the kerb.



Independent driving
Your pupil will have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:
• directions from a sat nav
• traffic signs
You should set up the sat nav for them.
Following sat nav directions
What you should say
Now I would like you to drive independently following the directions from the sat nav until I tell you otherwise.
Drive on when you are ready.
Thank you, that’s the end of the independent driving. I will direct you from now on.
Following traffic signs
What you should say
Pull up on the left please (either specify location or use normal stop wordings).
Now I would like you to drive independently following the traffic signs for ……., continue to follow the signs until I tell you otherwise. Drive on when you are ready.
Thank you, that’s the end of the independent driving. I will direct you from now on.
Going off the route
Do not give the pupil a fault if they take a wrong turning safely.
Help them to get back on the route by offering directions.

Carry out an emergency stop
An emergency stop must be carried out safely where road and traffic conditions are suitable. Do not do it on a busy road or anywhere that could cause danger to other traffic.
If you cannot find an appropriate opportunity to do the emergency stop, ask the pupil to pull up. Choose the right moment as they will have been expecting the emergency stop signal and may react accordingly. Advise them that the exercise will be given later and that they will be warned again beforehand.
What you should say
Pull up on the left at a safe place, please [or] Pull up along here, just before………..please.
Shortly I shall ask you to carry out an emergency stop. When I give this signal, [raise your right hand to face level and say] ‘Stop’, I’d like you to stop as quickly and as safely as possible. Before giving the signal I shall look round to make sure it is safe, but please wait for my signal before doing the exercise.
Do you understand the instructions?
Thank you. I will not ask you to do that exercise again. Drive on when you are ready.

Ending the test
When the mock test is complete, ask the pupil to pull over in a safe place and give your pupil feedback about how they’ve done.
What you should say
Please switch off the engine and give me a moment to complete my paperwork.
That’s the end of the test and I’m pleased to say you’ve passed. Now that you will be driving on your own, I’d like you to be aware of.
[Give feedback]
That’s the end of the test and I’m sorry you haven’t passed. To help you I’ll explain why.
[Give feedback.]
The feedback should include all serious and dangerous faults. If the pupil fails on an accumulation of more than 15 driving faults only, then all the driving faults need explaining.