Junctions — Observation
Not looking properly before pulling out at a junction
What it looks like
You approach a junction, glance left and right once, and pull out. The examiner marks this as ineffective observation because you didn't look again at the point of emerging — or you looked but clearly misjudged the speed of an oncoming car. The most common version: emerging from a side road onto a main road when a car was closer than you thought.
What the examiner thinks
The examiner is watching whether you actually process what you see — not just whether you move your head. A glance isn't enough at a closed junction. They need to see you take time to properly assess the traffic before committing. If another car has to adjust its speed or position because of you, that's a serious fault. If they have to brake, it's dangerous.
Minor vs. serious vs. dangerous
Minor: You hesitated slightly too long before a clear junction. Serious: You pulled out when a car was close enough that the examiner tensed up. Dangerous: Another vehicle had to brake or swerve.
The fix
- 1
At every junction, ask yourself: 'Is it clear enough that I'd let my mum pull out here?' If you'd hesitate to say yes, wait.
- 2
Look both ways twice before emerging — not once quickly, twice properly. Make it a visible habit the examiner can see.
- 3
Practise identifying the difference between a clear gap and a 'probably fine' gap. The test requires certainty, not optimism.
Test-day checklist
- I always look both ways at least twice before emerging
- I understand the difference between a look and an effective observation
- I know that misjudging oncoming traffic speed is the most common dangerous fault
- I wait until I'm certain — not just fairly sure