Observation technique
Mirrors, shoulder checks and blind spots
Criterion number one
Traffic observation is the criterion on which most exams fail. The examiner watches exactly whether and when you look into the mirrors and turn your head. A forgotten shoulder check when pulling away or changing lanes can be enough – especially if someone is endangered as a result.
Mirror – signal – shoulder check
- Interior mirror: what is happening behind me?
- Door mirror on the side you are moving to.
- Indicate – in good time, about 3 seconds before.
- Shoulder check into the blind spot – brief, under one second.
- Clear? Then act smoothly and without hesitation.
- Indicator off, check the mirrors again.
The blind spot
Beside and behind you the mirrors show nothing – a cyclist or even a car can fit there. Only a shoulder check covers this zone.
This source question references an image or scene that is not yet supplied. Do not use it for scored practice.
Shoulder check – required here
- Pulling away from the kerb: left
- Changing lanes and merging onto the motorway
- Turning right: cyclists and e-scooters beside you
- Turning left: second rear check just before turning
- Passing obstacles
- After the emergency stop and before leaving a parking space
- Before opening the door: Dutch reach
Interior and door mirrors
Interior mirror
- Flat: distances realistic
- Shows the whole rear window
- First glance before any braking
Door mirrors
- Often curved: objects seem farther away
- Own car only at the inner edge
- Never replaces the shoulder check
Look briefly, steer straight
During a shoulder check your hand tends to follow – the car drifts sideways. Keep the steering wheel deliberately steady and look over your shoulder only briefly. Also remember the blind spot of trucks and buses: if you can't see the driver's mirrors, the driver can't see you.
Look ahead like a pro
Look far ahead instead of just over the bonnet, check the mirrors every 5–8 seconds and the interior mirror before any braking. Make your observation visible: a clear head movement convinces the examiner more than a glance from the corner of your eye.
Train lane changes
Mirror, signal, shoulder check – the simulator checks the order and hides vehicles in the blind spot.
This specific scenario is not implemented in the web edition yet. drive_lane_change
Spot hazards early
Tap hazards as soon as you notice them – children between cars, opening doors, turning cyclists.
Hazard trainer↗In which order do you proceed when changing to the left lane?
- Indicator – shoulder check – mirror – change
- Mirror – indicator – shoulder check – change
- Shoulder check – change – indicator
Check answer
Mirror – indicator – shoulder check – change
Mirrors first, then signal the change and check the blind spot with a shoulder check. Only when everything is clear do you change lanes.