🚗 The Truth About the “Six-Point Check” – Myth-Busting and Best Practice

Why do some instructors discourage the “six-point check”?

Why do some learners say “Examiners don’t like it”?

Let’s set the record straight.

The so-called “six-point check” – a full all-round observation including:

• Left blind spot

• Left mirror

• Interior mirror

• Right mirror

• Right blind spot

• A final forward check

…is not only acceptable, but often good practice, depending on the situation.

So where did the confusion come from?

Over the years, a myth has emerged that examiners don’t like it when candidates carry out the full check before moving off – especially the left mirror and blind spot. The claim is that it’s “overkill”, “slows things down”, or is “trying too hard to impress”.

Let’s be clear:

Examiners aren’t bothered by what you check – they care about when and why you check.

If your all-round check is natural, appropriate, and doesn’t delay you unnecessarily, then it shows awareness and safety. But if it’s over-emphasised, carried out robotically, or used purely for show, it may raise questions about whether you understand what you’re doing.

That’s the key: Effective observation isn’t just about movement – it’s about meaning.

🧠 Awareness First: You Don’t Know What’s There… Until You Look

When preparing to move away – especially from the left-hand side of the road – you can’t always predict what’s happening around you.

• A cyclist might be passing on the left.

• A pedestrian could be approaching from the pavement.

• A car door may open unexpectedly.

• A dog might be off-lead.

• Or your own car might have created a blind zone that hides movement.

You won’t know if there’s something worth reacting to on the left… unless you check.

📖 The Highway Code is Clear

Rule 159 of the Highway Code states:

“Before moving off you should use all mirrors to check the road is clear. Look round to check the blind spots (the areas you are unable to see in the mirrors).

Look behind you if necessary.”

There is no mention of avoiding the left side. In fact, the Highway Code supports the idea of checking all around – not in a fixed pattern, but with awareness of your surroundings and situation.

🎯 It’s Not a Fault Until It’s a Fault

One of the most dangerous ideas passed around is:

“Well, the examiner didn’t mark it, so it must be fine.”

This misunderstanding leads to complacency. Just because something wasn’t marked as a fault on one test doesn’t mean it was the right thing to do – it may simply not have resulted in a risk that time.

As instructors often say:

“It’s not a fault… until it’s a fault.”

You’re not preparing for just a test – you’re preparing for real roads, unpredictable risks, and decisions that carry real consequences.

🔁 Look. Assess. Decide. Act.

Another common issue? Learners who either:

• Act before looking, or

• Look without assessing.

Looking in a mirror or turning your head means nothing if you don’t process what you’ve seen.

That’s why a simple model works well:

Look → Assess → Decide → Act

Miss any step, and you may end up with the wrong outcome – or a dangerous one.

🛑 A Word for Fellow Instructors (and Learners)

If your instructor tells you it’s not necessary to check the left blind spot or discourages you from doing the six-point check, here’s something to consider:

Which other Highway Code rules is it okay to ignore?

Observational skills are not about ticking boxes. They’re about training drivers to survive and thrive in real-world environments – not just on test routes.

💡 Final Thought

The goal of driving instruction isn’t to get learners to pass a test. It’s to prepare them to drive safely, independently, and confidently.

If that means teaching a six-point check as a tool for better awareness and risk management, then it’s worth teaching – not avoiding.

The best drivers aren’t the flashiest, the fastest, or the most impressive.

They’re the ones who know what’s happening all around them.

And act accordingly.

Stay safe. Stay aware. Stay sharp.

Because the test is just the beginning.