A huge source of nerves for new drivers can be knowing just how to pass their driving test on the first try. Believe it or not, a driving test can be straightforward as long as you know you are confident and prepared. Here are 8 driving test tips to help you prepare for your driving test.
Driving Test Tip 1 – Practice Makes Perfect
Nothing can replace just getting behind the wheel and practicing your driving. It doesn’t matter how good your skills are at driving. If the confidence is not there to back it up, you just won’t perform to standard.
Ask your parents or other close relatives to take you out. By doing this, you’ll develop road comfort, which will benefit you during your driving test.
Also, please make an effort to choose someone to practice with that you think would be the best driving role model for you. They need to be able to identify errors you make when driving to help you improve along the way. If you would like some help with the rules of using L plates and where to position them check out our guide here.
Driving Test Tip 2 – Slow Down at Junctions, Roundabouts and Bends
This should be your golden rule. Always brake before a corner, maintain around the corner, and accelerate as needed out of the corner. It’s always easier to learn when done slowly and the same can be said for driving. Start by taking turns slowly, especially if you’re starting. Once you are more confident behind the wheel, you can then begin to drive slightly quicker and build your confidence from there.
Driving Test Tip 3 – Get Road Aware: Road Markings, Signs, and Traffic Lights.
Road markings are used to provide help and guidance for all road users. They make our lives easier by showing us exactly where we need to go. On top of this, some areas will have road markings with traffic lights, such as busy roundabouts.
Believe it or not, these are some of the easiest roundabouts there are. The reason is that we no longer have to decide when its safe to enter the roundabout. Instead, the traffic lights do the hard work for us.
Driving Test Tip 4 – How To Slow Down
This can be a hard skill to learn as common sense says to brake hard and you will stop faster. Unfortunately braking hard normally means we are going too fast into a junction or traffic lights. This means you are more likely to make a mistake and scare the hell out of everyone in the car.
Think about it this way, you are a passenger in someone else’s car that is learning to drive and they still have their foot on the accelerator going into a red light or zebra crossing with someone on it. You are going to panic and think they haven’t seen the people. So the best way to avoid this is to begin slowing down earlier.
I teach learners how to do this using the “No stopping game”. The game goes like this: You have to try not to stop for the next 10 minutes. Of course, at no point would you risk safety or break the law. Luckily most of the time this can easily be followed and still not have to brake. The secret is, slowing down earlier. It’s that simple. If you want more info about this check out my YouTube video on the no-stopping game.
Driving Test Tip 5 – Know Your Speed Limits
If you want to pass the test, the most important thing is to pay attention to the speed limit. And this does not just mean going to fast. Many a learner have also failed for going to slow. Your job as a driver is to be aware of the speed limit and judge what a safe speed would be. A safe speed would not be braking the law and not be causing huge delays to drivers behind you. The basic rule goes like this:
- Street Lights = 30mph
- No Street Lights = National Speed Limit
- There is no rule for 20mph zones other than being very aware of the signs. Generally speaking 20 mph zones will be well sign posted to avoid people speeding.
If you are looking for more top secret driving help and support check out my Online |Driving Course to get everything you need to prepare for your driving test.
Driving Test Tip 6 – Look Behind You While Reversing.
Two most important parts of reversing are:
1. Taking it slow – Slow shows the examiner that you have great clutch control which in turn shows you to be a confident driver.
2. The second part of reversing is looking where you are reversing at all times as well as using your mirrors. That means turning your entire body around in the seat to give you the best possible view of your surroundings. If you want to impress the examiner this is how to do it!
Driving Test Tip 7 –Take your Time on Your Driving Test
It makes sense to take your test once you’re ready, no matter how eager you are to drive alone. Rushing to take a driving test will prevent you from gaining the necessary experience to drive independently and you are putting yourself and the examiner at risk.
You are also going to knock your confidence for the next time you take a driving test which in turn will only hold you back longer.
Driving Test Tip 8 – Think Like A Driving Test Examiner
As the saying goes to know your enemy you should think like the enemy. The driving test examiner is not our enemy but it will still massively help you pass your driving test if you learn to think like them. All a driving test examiner wants to see is a safe and comfortable drive. The way they will work this out is the level of risk. Here’s how they will do it.
Imagine you have a risk/danger scale of 1-5. 5 is high risk and 1 is low risk. Any time you make a driving mistake the driving test examiner will put that into a risk scale. For instance not checking a side mirror will likely be low risk, maybe a 1 on the risk scale, and will therefore go down as a minor/driving fault. On the opposite side of the scale to that, if you were to pull out on someone at a roundabout this could easily lead to a crash and is therefore high risk maybe a 4 or 5 on the risk scale. This would therefore go down as a serious or dangerous fault.
So when you practice your driving in the future start putting any mistakes you make into the risk scale and this will show you how ready you are to pass your driving test. it will also encourage you to reduce the dangerous mistakes as you will understand the effect they will have on you and others around you.
Follow these tips and you are going to be well on your way to passing your driving test.
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