Your driving test can be a pretty nerve-wracking experience. Its very easy to feel overwhelmed with fear and worry but try not to panic. Remember your instructor would not suggest booking your test if they did not think you were ready.
Here are some tips to help you ace your theory and practical driving test.
Theory Test
Take your time to think through the options
Remember you have 57 minutes to complete the test. That’s around 1 minute 14 seconds per question. Some questions you may know straight away thus freeing up some time to focus on some questions you are unsure of.
Use your common sense
Even if you are unsure of the answer, you will likely be able to work it out or at least narrow down the options.
If you are unsure of an answer try to make an educated guess rather than picking a random option. There may be some you can definitely rule out. Even if you can narrow it down to two options you still have a 50% chance of getting it right.
For example:
Another driver does something to upset you. Do you?
A) Sound your horn
B) Roll down the window and make a rude gesture
C) Speed up to overtake them
D) Keep calm and ignore them
Whilst some of these options may be tempting it is clear the correct course of action, in this case, would be D) Keep calm and ignore them.
Practical Test
Have a look at the route beforehand
All driving test centres have a list of 10-20 routes they will take during a test. These can be easily found online or by asking your driving instructor.
Look at some of the routes using Google Maps or by actually driving them during your lessons (or with a parent/carer or friend). Make a note of the road and traffic conditions, if there are there any hazards, where the junctions, roundabouts or traffic lights are or anything else you need to be aware of.
Choose the time of your test wisely
Having your test first thing in the morning will likely mean driving through the morning rush hour traffic. The examiner is likely to choose a route that avoids busy roads otherwise you will get stuck in traffic. However, you will likely be driving on quieter roads and be asked to do more manoeuvres.
If you select a quieter time, the examiner will probably use a route that involves busy roads or town centres.
Try to be the last car to leave the test centre
If possible try to be the last car to leave the test centre. This avoids the risk of you pulling out at the same time as one of the other cars (potentially earning your first fault) and not having all of the other cars following you out.
When you get into the car take some time to adjust your mirrors, make your seat is comfortable and at the right height, clean your glasses (if you were them) and double-check everything. Hopefully, the other cars will have moved off by this point. Don’t worry about what the examiner will think. As long as you don’t take too long they will simply see that you are taking the time to double-check everything before setting off (brownie points for showing you are aware of safety).
Relax
Remember the examiner is just another human. Don’t be scared of them. They are only there to assess your driving.
The examiner may chat to you a little bit to put you at ease. Sometimes they will keep quiet and let you get on with driving unless you start the conversation. Whilst a bit of chat can help you relax make sure you don’t become distracted.
Try not to look at the examiner’s marking sheet. This will only put you off.
I love posts like this. I’m going to take any help I can get to drive.