The Elite Mindset

As an examiner for Diamond Advanced Motorists, it is necessary for me to complete and pass a Diamond Elite Test every three years. This advanced driving test is recognised as one of the two most searching fault based tests in the UK, requiring you to drive for 90 minutes, completing several reverse manoeuvres and demonstrating 20 minutes of commentary driving. In order to be walk away with a pass certificate, in addition to sticking to the rules in the Highway Code with precision and not doing anything dangerous, you need to attract less than 2 driver faults - and they must be unrelated; you won't be successful if those 2 are in the same fault category.

As you can see, the standard required here is high (this test is available to anyone who wishes to take it and you can get more details at www.advancedmotoring.co.uk) and it's daunting for all of us - but the way in which somebody taking a test at that standard prepares mentally, is exactly the same as it is for somebody taking the entry level learner driving test - so here are 3 tips to help you get the right mindset:


Tip 1 - Know your role in the process

Firstly, it's important to focus only on your role in the process. You are there to drive and if you do that well, then you MUST pass this test because that is the default position when you leave the test centre and it will only be changed to an unsuccessful result if you demonstrate bad driving.

It only undermines your chances of being successful if you harbour any beliefs that the examiner has left the test centre wanting to fail you or has been instructed to fail you in order to meet any regional targets or anything like that. Such a mindset leads you to focus your energy on doing their job for them rather than concentrating on yours - they're there to watch, you're there to drive well.


Tip 2 - Focus your attention

Secondly, you must stick to carrying out your role at all times - try to think of nothing else!

If you think about it, good driving comes down to just three core actions:

1. Knowing what's happening around you
2. Recognising things that affect you
3. Adjusting your driving to suit what's happening

So it doesn't matter whether the examiner is taking you out on a test at 3pm when there is a lot of traffic around, because of course, you'll simply reduce your speed as things get busy and likewise, if things are less busy we can increase the speed and (safely and legally) crack on!

Tip 3 - Try to forget the clock

Finally, it is of vital importance that you forget about time.

It might take a bit of explanation, but from the point of view of a purist, time doesn't matter at all to those that drive well. I say purist, because it would be daft to ignore totally the affect of time on high driving standards and road safety and if you see somebody overtaking or speeding, then being in a hurry is likely to be the reason that they're doing that but likewise if you see somebody driving slowly, then having loads of spare time is very likely to be the reason that they are doing that. The dangers of excessive speed are well publicised, but driving un-necessarily slowly also creates significant danger "by proxy" and we shouldn't allow our driving styles to be affected either way by the clock, only by changing road and traffic conditions.

Good drivers don't want to be the reason that somebody who is running late crashes in their attempt to catch back some time so our driving style aims to get us to our destination in good time (quickly) with minimal risk (adjusting speed and position in response to the changing situation around them) whilst staying within the law (31mph in a 30 zone is illegal, but not necessarily dangerous).

It therefore doesn't matter if the driver we are talking about is:

• A Police Officer on their way to an emergency (remember - the law allows them to exceed speed limits)
• A Police Officer on a routine patrol (they wouldn't exceed speed limits in that context)
• A civilian driver on their way to the beach for the day
• A civilian driver on their way to work

Hopefully, you can see why it shouldn't matter to you if your test is over running by a few minutes because there were a lot of red lights on your route, or because you maybe took a wrong exit off a roundabout. It's perhaps a bit different to a learner, who is building the strength of concentration to demonstrate a 40 minute long drive at an entry level, but to more experienced drivers, being able to drive perfectly for 15 minutes, means you can do it for 30 minutes and if you can do it for 30 minutes, you can do it for 90 minutes - passing an Elite test (or passing any test) is about having an Elite mindset.

Nick Heath Driver Training is located in Rode Heath on the Staffordshire / Cheshire border and provides driving training services to those looking to either improve their driving or learn from scratch. In addition to media work, we conduct Taxi Driver Assessments for local authorities and offer Advanced Driver Training and Testing, Motorway Training and Fuel Efficient Driver Training alongside refresher courses and learner driving lessons. We are ORDIT registered to provide Driving Instructor Training and are listed on the DVSA's register of Fleet Trainers so we can help you with your business needs.

More details are available on our website www.nickheathdrivertraining.org.uk