31/05/2026
🚗 Why I Sometimes Say "You're Not Ready Yet"
One thing many learner drivers don't realise is that driving instructors are monitored by the DVSA based on the performance of their pupils taking driving tests over a rolling 12-month period.
If an instructor triggers certain performance indicators, they can be called for a Standards Check, where a DVSA examiner observes a live lesson and assesses the instructor against 17 different competencies covering lesson planning, risk management, and teaching & learning strategies.
That's one reason why responsible instructors won't send someone for a test unless they're genuinely ready — not just to pass the test, but to drive safely and independently afterwards.
I don't usually share my statistics, but I believe transparency matters:
✅ Pass Rate: 87%
✅ Average Driving Faults per Test: 2.21
✅ Average Serious Faults per Test: 0.07
✅ Examiner Intervention Required: 7% (1 test)
These figures aren't just about passing tests. They reflect the importance of preparing drivers for life after the test, where there is no examiner or driving instructor sitting beside them.
At RoadSmart Driver Coaching, the goal has never been simply to help people pass a test. The goal is to develop safe, confident, thinking drivers for life.
Before a learner driver takes a driving test with RoadSmart, they must be able to consistently drive independently for a number of weeks from the driving test and show that they are competent enough to drive on their own and deal with any challenging situations they are faced with, reflecting the ability to drive safe in the real world.
