HOW TO PASS YOUR DRIVING TEST

There isn’t a simple answer to the question ‘how to pass your driving test?’. If it was that simple then everyone would pass first time. Roughly half of young drivers that sit their driving test won’t pass first time, which can be frustrating after having so many hours of practice.

To help some of our pupils, we’ve put together a page of general advice for preparing to sit your driving test. By doing all these things, you will greatly improve the likelihood of passing your driving test first time round!

find the right instructor for you

Find the right driving instructor for you. Even before you start thinking about the driving test, find an instructor who you are compatible with, one that you can work with and trust!

Don’t be afraid to book a tester lesson too and if you are not comfortable then move on! You will be spending an average of 30 – 40 hours together so finding a good instructor will not only increase your chances of passing first time but may also reduce the amount of hours needed to reach test standard! This will save you some cash too!

LOOK FOR LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Always be on the look out for learning opportunities! If you are a passenger in a car be an active passenger – put yourself, figuratively at least, in the driving seat!
At junctions or roundabouts run through your mirror, signal manoeuvre steps just as you would do during a driving test. The more you do this, the more it will become second nature to you. During the test itself, you ideally want this to be second nature.
If you’re out walking your dog, look for street signs and road markings and test your knowledge. Do you remember what they mean? Always pay attention because you will need to know this when you get in the driver’s seat!

‘Show me, Tell me’ questions

‘Show me, Tell me’ questions are designed to test your practical knowledge, you may be asked anything from how to check if your break lights are working through to making sure your head restraint provides the best protection in the event of a crash. Read up on these scenarios and have an answer prepared for each!

Read More: DVSA Show Me Tell Me Questions

DRIVING THEORY

Revisit your theory. Knowing your signs and your highway code when on your test will greatly settle your nerves and boost your confidence – allowing you to drive in a relaxed and safe way. And, your examiner will notice!

Reduce Test Anxiety

Some students will drive perfectly when in the car with their instructor. They are cool, calm and collected up until the second the examiner is sitting in the passenger seat. Being under test conditions can cause students to become flustered and make silly mistakes which cost them their pass.

Stay calm and don’t panic.It’s only natural to feel overwhelmed!
 
Eat before your test. You need fuel as much as your car. By ensuring you are hydrated and nourished will, in turn, help to energise you, ensuring optimal levels of concentration and performance.
 
Remember – you are not the Examiner! Whatever you may think about your performance on the day, you must remember that the examiner owns the final opinion. This works both ways; you could feel you have failed following a mishap or lapse in concentration. Remember though, if you have addressed the issue correctly and done all you can to maintain the safety of yourself and other road users, the examiner may think that you have done everything properly, and therefore won’t fail you.
 
 

Driving Test Routes

As the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) don’t publish driving test routes it always makes sense to have an understanding on what areas and roads you may be expected to drive during your test. You can expect large and complicated roundabouts, junctions or crossroads to always be included and these can be identified by Google Maps.
 

Practice Makes perfect!

Practice, practice and practice some more! Practicing your manoeuvres as often as you can will help you feel more comfortable when performing them in the test – especially if you are able to do these in the car which you will take your test in.