Country roads & how to drive them is set to take a bigger part of the DVSA practical driving test in updates to the practical driving test if the DVSA trials presently taking place in certain driving test centres across the UK.
So how do we drive on more rural roads? As any of you that are presently learning to drive should know that country roads, especially on driving tests will have certain challenges such as,
No kerbs
Narrower roads
More and tighter bends
Changing speed limits
You will be challenged not only with more speed changes, which should be sign posted but also with tighter bends which will be identified by black and white chevron posts and warning signs 
to deal with these we use a set of initials known as LADA, this stands for Look, Assess, Decide & Act.
LOOK – Look as far down the road as you can for hazards
ASSESS – What is the hazard?
DECIDE – Decide what action if necessary you need to take to deal with the hazard as safely as possible.
ACT – Actually do what you have decided to do to make the situation safe e.g. slow down, reposition the car etc
Remember the bends on country roads are likely to be more of a tight angle so you will need to control your speed using the engine. This means that you will need to be in 3rd or possibly even 2nd gear to have full control.
Vision can sometimes be a problem on country roads with bushes and trees in full leaf during the spring & summer months so it is not always obvious what hazards are coming up.
Where roads are narrower you may find passing places, these are where the road has been purposely built with what looks like bulges on the roads, these are the passing places. If a passing place is on your left it is your responsibility to pull into it and let the other car pass, if the passing place is on your right stop before the passing place and the other car should go into the passing place and let you pass. You can also get informal passing places such as farm gateways which should be used in the same way as a formal passing place. When using an informal passing place please be careful as there may be loose tarmac, debris or mud on the road where farm vehicles have entered the gateway.
Being in the countryside you of course have a high chance of meeting fam and wild animals. When meeting animals be extra careful giving the biggest/widest birth you can as they react erratically at times. You should also go very slowly to ensure the animals to do not get spooked, this includes horses.
Where there are no roads, where would you expect pedestrians/walkers to be? Well the answer should be walking on the right hand side of the road heading towards the traffic but in reality they will be where ever they want, normally in the middle of the road so again be very careful and if they have a lead in their hand slow right down and start looking for their dog, who is probably in a bush somewhere.
During an intensive driving course we will ensure you have training on country roads so do not be afraid of them if you do get them on your driving test.
You can contact A Pass 4 U Driving School on 01702 308763 between 09:30 & 417:30 Monday to Friday or send us an email at apass4u@yahoo.co.uk.