How to Pass your Driving Test

You have put in the time listened to your driving instructor and now its time to park up at the RSA test centre and wait for your driving test to begin. If you have prepared well and taken enough driving lessons to feel confident then your chances of passing your driving test are excellent. For some learner drivers the day of their driving test can lead to stress and a type of nervousness that can affect their ability on the day. When we talk with well-prepared learner drivers as to why they failed their test they commonly say, “the nerves got the better of me”. Typically, when this happens, they will fail to demonstrate the basic skills and attributes the tester is looking for. There is no definitive way of stopping someone getting nervous however you can consider using these helpful tips to manage driving test stress.

Lest start with the day of your test.

A day like any other day.

If it’s not too late you should consider not letting people know the date of your driving test to avoid the day being treated as anything other than a normal day. Good will texts and calls are nice however they can also be a distraction.

Eat and drink.

Nerves and anticipation can cause a lack of appetite however you should eat as normal as being satisfied helps with focus and concentration. Even if you don’t feel like having a full meal eat something small and make sure you are not hungry. Avoid energy drinks and too much caffeine as this can lead to increased nervousness rather than being alert.

Where’s the toilet?

There are no accessible toilet facilities provided by the RSA at their driving test centres. Try to get a toilet break in before arriving for your test.

Choose your footwear carefully

This may sound obvious, but your driving test is not the day to try on your new shoes or trainers. Keep it simple and wear footwear that is familiar to you.

Short walk

If you are having your final pre-test lesson before your driving test consider allowing 10 minutes at the end of the pre-test lesson for you to take a short walk to stretch the legs and clear the mind.

 A final reminder to yourself

Before your tester arrives remember that the Road Safety Authority tester wants you to pass. They like nothing more than getting out on the road with learners who have prepared well and display the driving skills necessary to pass the test. They expect you to be a little nervous, they see this all the time and as experienced professionals they understand that you are at the start of you driver development journey and that over the years your confidence, skills and driver awareness will increase. So focus on your training and do your best.