Driving test routes app - has anyone used? Worth getting?

johnnyboyz

My son is doing his driving test in a months time in a different part of London (Mill hill) to where we live.

It's too far for his driving instructor to go to practice and he wouldn't know the routes anyway.

He is a competent driver but I think it would be good to drive the main routes used for testing.
We have already driven around the area near the test centre once.

Has anyone used the 'Driving test routes' App?
Is it worth getting?
Does it download the route to Google maps?

Thanks 

MyRealNameToo

Is there a price for it? 

A friend did their test elsewhere long before apps were a thing, they paid for a long lesson with an instructor in the area and their parent went in the car. The instructor had him drive the routes, giving some advice and the parent made a note of the routes. 

MikeJXE

Have you checked on YouTube ?

More driving schools are uploading their lessons than ever 

johnnyboyz

It costs £13 for a month so probably worth trying.
Yes, I might book a long lesson as well with a local driving instructor.

Mildly_Miffed

If he can't drive on roads without knowing them first, is he ready to be let loose with a full licence?

The examiner tells him where to turn. What else does a competent driver need to know?

sheramber

When I sat my test- many moons ago- my instructor had taken me round all the k own routes used.

on the day I was taken on  totally different route to any of the previous ones. 

I did pass. 

johnnyboyz

Mildly_Miffed said:

If he can't drive on roads without knowing them first, is he ready to be let loose with a full licence?

The examiner tells him where to turn. What else does a competent driver need to know?

I mean, why do you think instructors take learners around the known test routes in their area?
Obviously they're not set in stone but being familiar with the general local area has to help.

Bigwheels1111

My last test to complete my licence was for my PSV LICENCE 2025
Bike 1988
Car  1989
Hgv 1+2 2002

The company trained me for 9 days with 4 of us sharing the bus and driving.

The theory test, hazard perception & case studies all taken in one day.
On day 10 I took my test, 40 miles away from where I had learned.
I knew all 5 routes by heart. Sod’s Law.
Plus had a different bus, 40 foot long instead of the 35 foot I trained in.

I ask my instructor to take me on the tightest roads + turns, roundabouts etc.
If I could do that, the test is easy.
2 minors for lane keeping, my instructor said I was robbed.
Should have been only 1.

The best advice I was ever given, Ever time the examiner speaks, Look in his mirrors.
The instructor will be looking at him to make sure he hears him and understands what he said.
So will see the mirror check.
Good luck.

MattMattMattUK

johnnyboyz said:

Mildly_Miffed said:

If he can't drive on roads without knowing them first, is he ready to be let loose with a full licence?

The examiner tells him where to turn. What else does a competent driver need to know?

I mean, why do you think instructors take learners around the known test routes in their area?

To increase their pass rate, not to make drivers safer on the roads.

johnnyboyz said:

Obviously they're not set in stone but being familiar with the general local area has to help.

Anyone who drives should be able to competently traverse roads they are not familiar with, if they cannot then they should not be driving. Whilst I get that most people just want to pass with little care about their actual ability to drive safely it should not be the overall aim and especially not encouraged by parents who should have their child's safety as a primary concern.

Car_54

Mildly_Miffed said:

If he can't drive on roads without knowing them first, is he ready to be let loose with a full licence?

The examiner tells him where to turn. What else does a competent driver need to know?

Precisely

Further, the DVSA (or DSA as it then was) stopped publishing the test routes about 1 years ago. Any app which claims to know them all is being economical with the truth.

Also, when the routes were published, most centres had about 15 routes. That's a lot for a learner to familiarise himself with.

Arunmor

I bought them for my daughter, the only problem was the test station had moved and all routes took me back to the old test station.   We got our money back.

Having said all that I thought they were invaluable to teach my daughter the rough routes and gain experience in the town should would sit her test.  She sat her test the day after covid restrictions were lifted and she had bare minimum lessons from her instructor but had the advantage of having driven since she was 11/12 years old so the basics were there.