Scared You Won’t Pass Your Driving Test? It’s All About Preparation!
For many people, taking their driving test can be one of the most nerve-racking experiences of their life. The most common reason for this is the sheer pressure that some new drivers feel they are under after spending months and hundreds of pounds learning to master control of their vehicle. But if you’ve booked an exam and are already feeling daunted and intimidated by the prospect of getting into a car on your own for the first time, don’t worry yourself into a frenzy – there are a number of things that you can do to help you relax and remain 100% focused during your test! Here are some top tips to help you pass your test calmly and confidently (and, fingers crossed, first time).
Find the Right Driving Instructor for You
It may sound obvious, but finding the right driving instructor for you is key if you’re looking to ace your driving test. The best place to start is by asking friends or family for recommendations, or you could even compare what’s on offer by searching for local driving schools reviews online. Once you’ve settled on a particular instructor, ask for a one-off assessment lesson. During this time, you’ll be able to work out the driving instructor is friendly, patient and efficient enough to meet your needs. If you’re not satisfied that he or she will take the right approach, don’t be scared to try out other instructors, as unless you’ve committed to block bookings, you won’t be obliged to stay with them. You need to be able to build a good rapport with whichever tutor you eventually choose – after all, you will be spending, on average, somewhere between 30 – 50 hours with them!
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Do Your Research so You Know What to Expect
You need to know exactly what you’re getting into before you strap yourself in for your first test. Having a thorough understanding of what to expect during your test will boost your confidence and help you feel comfortable and at ease with the situation. Have in-depth discussions with those who have undertaken (and survived) their test and get your instructor to describe exactly what happens on the day in great detail, right through from the time you leave the waiting room to your final drive back to the test centre. You can never be too prepared!
‘Show Me, Tell Me’
The ‘show me, tell me’ section of the test is short but vital. To pass, you’ll need to get to know your car inside out and make sure you fully understand the answers to all of the 19 questions you could be asked about the vehicle. Simply learning to rattle off text-book-like answers won’t help you when you eventually do take to the roads alone.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Whenever you’re in a car, even as a passenger, imagine yourself as the driver. Visualise how you would react when faced with each and every scenario. When you hit a junction or you pull up to a roundabout, get used to going over the full ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre’ mantra, regardless of how well you think you know the roads. The more you purposefully practice the tricks and techniques taught to you by your instructor, the more driving will become second nature to you. You’ll follow a set routine without even realising it and will be able to tackle even the most daunting obstacles with complete confidence in your actions – plus, you’ll be a safer driver to boot.
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Assess Each Possible Driving Test Route
Although the DSA no longer publish test routes anymore, most driving instructors have sound practical knowledge of the routes you’re likely to take. As your test can only last a certain amount of time, there are only a certain amount of routes that can be followed, so be sure to pick your tutor’s brains and ask them to point out the most difficult points on each route so you know exactly what to expect at all times. If you’re still feeling a little unsure, you may be able to track down some common local routes on the internet, so carry out a little research (but don’t take the words of forum users as gospel!). Above all, make sure you make several visits to your local test centre and have a scout around the immediate area to see if there are any difficult and unpredictable junctions you may need to encounter as you enter and exit the premises.
Obviously, some people take to driving like a duck to water and will, dare we say it, actually enjoy the experience. Others will really struggle to perform under the immense pressure of a test environment. However, by prepping for your test well in advance and talking at length with those who have already obtained their licenses, you’ll be able to overcome anything that’s thrown at you on the day!
As a prestigious driving school in East London, Formula L helps hundreds of pupils pass their tests every single year.
