Tips to Pass a Driving Test

This guide is useful to anyone who is learning to drive, though it is most beneficial to people learning to drive in the UK (as that is my own experience).

Driving is one of the most fun learning experiences anyone could have. But before running off and booking tests here, there and everywhere, it is essential to prepare a few things first.

- Choosing a Driving Instructor -

This is the MOST IMPORTANT part of learning to drive. Finding an instructor that you feel comfortable with can mean the difference between a pass and a fail.

I started driving with my mum's colleague's husband. He had years of teaching experience and was friendly enough to talk to. However, after having about 15 or so driving lessons, I realised I was no longer motivated to learn. My driving was mediocre, though by then I should have progressed much further. At this point I stopped driving completely.
Then, a few months later, I saw a driving instructor sitting in a car park. He was young and looked friendly so I decided to speak to him about driving lessons. I was having my first lesson with him a week later. Every lesson after that was brilliant. He was fun, and we got along really well. Driving was exciting again, and I actually looked forward to my lessons. I passed first time, because of this instructor... and nearly a year later, we're still friends.

When you choose your driving instructor, speak to people you know who are learning to drive. Find out about their instructors, and ask around for recommendations.

Once you have chosen an instructor, just book one lesson. (Or a couple if you've never done any driving before) This will let you get to know the person without having to commit to buying a block of lessons. If you do not get along with the instructor, or feel uncomfortable around them, then select another instructor and book another lesson. Continue this process until you find someone suitable. Do not be embarrassed to do this, because in the end, passing is more important than what some driving instructor thinks of you.

- Theory Test -

Make sure you study for this as much as possible... Even though most of it is common sense. The best way to learn the theory is to first read the highway code. It takes no more than a couple of hours and is a great basis for learning. (Get a cheap copy off ebay or Amazon)

Use the CD-ROMS. Test yourself using the CD-ROM. It's good experience for the testing environment.

If you have friends who are also learning

their theory, get together with them and ask questions alternately. You will both learn from it.

- Hazard Perception -

Hazard Perception is boring. There's no doubting that. Pointless and boring. Just about every instructor and examiner seems to agree on that.

Never the less, it is essential. Just use the CD-ROM and don't click excessively; you'll be fine.

- Practice -

Practice makes perfect, and all of that... Well, it really does. If you have a car you can practice in, and someone who is willing to go out with you in the car, then get in as many hours of practice driving between each lesson as possible. This will speed up your learning and allow you to pass in a smaller amount of lessons.

It also stops you from forgetting how to drive at the beginning of each lesson.... Something which seems to plague every new driver.

- The ACTUAL test -

They do have quotas. It is a fact. They make up numbers on Fridays so the best day to take a test is probably the Wednesday. Try not to book too close to the beginning or end of the month. This only really affects you if you are a mediocre driver where you could be either passed or failed, and neither would be surprising.

If you followed the earlier points, quotas aren't so much of a problem. They really can't fail you unless you make mistakes. Try not to lax and make 'minors' because they can add up to a fail pretty quickly, without you realising it.

On the day of the test, make sure you eat something like Weetabix. It fills you up nicely and will stop you feeling hungry in the middle of the test. No instructor will want to hear your tummy rumbling.

Relax. Sniff some lavendar oil if you have it. Have a cigarette if you smoke. Do not drink coffee. It will make you more nervous.

Try not to chat to your instructor. They're not supposed to chat back and you talking to a brick wall will only make you more nervous.

Do not wear jewellery. Do not wear long sleeves. These are things that you could potentially fiddle with mid-test. It will make you look less confident.

Wear sensible shoes. Prefeably flat shoes, like trainers.

Do not leave coins in the car. They may note it as a bribe. You can fail for this.

And whatever you do... do not say 'ooops!'
This is like admitting you've made a huge error. If you do make an error, just carry on as though nothing is wrong, and correct yourself as early as possible.

One note for anyone who has failed, I have three friends who had to take over 10 driving tests before they passed. There is hope for everyone! If you have failed more than twice with the same driving instructor, change immediately!

Good luck!