As part of our beginner guide to motoring we are happy to present to you our advice on passing your driving test, with some easy to understand advice and tips on passing your test.
Passing your driving test may seem like a daunting or even impossible task, but it can be made unimaginably easier with good preparation. If you just turn up without the foundations in place, you can expect an undesirable result. So if you’ve got success in your sights and are ready to tear up that highway, check out this cheeky guide to passing your test the easy way.
Here are your quick links to the rest of the guide:
- Beginner Guide to Motoring
- Passing your driving test
- Choosing your first car
- Buying your first car
- Insuring your first car
1. The Theory Test:
This is the first part you’ll need to complete – without it, you won’t be able to do your practical test. After you’ve passed, it’ll be valid for two years before you’ll have to retake it – so it’s worth getting this out of the way. There are a ton of books available which can help you, but our advice is to buy one that’s up-to-date (2014) and has a DVD practice test attached – these packs are amazing. Unlike your mock tests at school, using questions from previous papers, this DVD will have the exact questions that the test will have in exam format. Simply learn the Highway Code included in the pack and keep practising the questions until you consistently reach pass level – now you’re ready to take your theory test.
2. Baby Steps:
Many of us make the mistake of trying to do everything at once, putting ourselves under immense pressure to learn how to drive as soon as possible – and we get it, but we suggest you re-strategise. Instead, take the car to a quiet spot (little to no cars is preferable) and allow yourself time to get to grips with the basics. Know where your gears are since looking down is ill-advised – starts and stops are always a panic for new drivers and practice makes perfect. This stress-free environment will help you to get a basic level of control over the car without having to deal with impatient experienced drivers. Stall as many times as you can – the more times you practice correcting, the faster you’ll be able to correct yourself when it happens (and it will happen) on the road with other drivers around.
3. Practice:
The instructor’s there to impart the knowledge you need to pass your test, refine your skills and relay updated information all learners need to know. They’re not there to help you practise, so you need to actively practise outside of your lessons in order to cement the skills you’ve learned in the lesson. As long as you’re insured on the car you’re practising in and accompanied by an adult with a full driver’s licence for the past 3 years, you’re good to go.
4. Don’t Stick to One Area:
You don’t know where the assessor is going to ask you to drive. Your instructor will have a good idea, but nothing is certain (even assessors sometimes get lost – it happens!) The best way to combat this is to make sure you’ve had ample practice on a variety of roads. This way, nothing will phase you when you start driving down an unknown route.
5. Stay Calm:
This is good advice for both your theory and practical tests. Most stupid mistakes are made when you’re nervous, so take a breath and remember that your instructor wouldn’t have put you forward if you weren’t ready. If you’ve put the practice in, you’ll be fine. In the event that you do make a mistake, don’t assume you’ve failed – you’re allowed 15 minors before you fail, so take another breath and carry on as if it didn’t happen. If it helps, ask your instructor to do a mock test with you to highlight possible issues. You can avoid a lot of mistakes by driving on as many different roads in as many different conditions as possible – the more practice you get on the road, the less likely it is that you’ll get flustered and end up with a fail.
By following these easy steps, you’ll fly through your test and be on the road in no time.
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