Observation

CorkFenian

This is getting me every time, I am a lot better than i was , instructor who is hard on me, even said it, frustrating, getting done for observation and sometimes i can over rev a small bit, I have put this down to nerves, anyone know of a good way around observation, or is it just practice and hours on the road......Also anyone recommend an instructor for Finglas area??

carleigh

I did my test in August and failed in part due to picking up marks for observation. My only advice is to practice as much as you can. I got caught at a roundabout......look right, left, right, left and left again just as you exit the roundabout (This was the testers advice when we came back to the test centre). I've been doing this in the months since, and its second nature now. I had a driving lesson today and the instructor said my observation was fine, but then again, he contradicted alot of what he told me before so I'm a bit worried about my test now! Best of luck

Shankly88

i had the same problem the instructor told me directly that you are bobbing your head around to much at 100 miles a hour!! they just want to see a calm driver and will let you away with alot more that way.. just take your time left right left, scan junctions calmly, it may not be your observation but the way you are doing it. first test i done 4 weeks ago got 4/5 marks on observation done the test today got 0 and passed.. ill pm his num if you like

ThunderZtorm

I get bummed on this every single time even tho I have full awareness of what is going on. I really, really, really hate the fact that they apparently need you to over-do your movements in a way that's completely unnatural and, in my opinion, extremely dangerous.

I don't know if I can actually force myself to over-do the movements by now, looking around constantly has become second nature - it might be easier to me to simply say it out loud during the test like, "right, no cars on the left, one bloke down on the right, but lots of time.." etc - I wonder if that's going to be enough for 'em..

Wishbone Ash

You need to be "processing" what you are observing. It's totally pointless just looking around for the sake of it.

ThunderZtorm wrote: »

I have full awareness of what is going on..

It's possible that you may not have spotted a potential hazard that the examiner was aware of.

J_R

ThunderZtorm wrote: »

. I really, really, really hate the fact that they apparently need you to over-do your movements in a way that's completely unnatural and, in my opinion, extremely dangerous.
..

Hi,

You are correct in your last statement. It is dangerous to overdo and/or exaggerate your observational checks. It is why the examiners mark people in the test for doing so.

If your instructor tells you you must then he is wrong and he is wrong on two counts.
1. For saying you must exaggerate and
2. He may also be giving you the wrong tutorial advice on proper observational skills and that maybe was the reason you first got marked in the test. You may now be getting marked for overdoing/exaggerating.

And the best way to sharpen your observational skills is to keep an out-loud running commentary going as you drive along. (You may also continue doing this in the test)