Tips on how to pass the driving test

When you are about to take your driving test, it's understandable to be nervous. Many tests are failed due to being excessively nervous. It's important to put the driving test into perspective. If you do happen to fail then it can simply be booked and taken again. Also the examiner isn't expecting you to drive like a professional. He is expecting you to make mistakes. He just wants to see you drive safely. The driving part of the test will only last around 30 minutes. To you, it will seem like 5 minutes. It goes very fast.

If your driving instructor has told you that you are ready for the test, then that should be a confidence boost in itself. He or she is a professional and will only say this if they are confident that you are ready.

Understandably you will be nervous just before the test, but it is important to channel these nerves whilst on the test into something useful. The examiner is just going to relay instructions to you. Essentially it is going to be exactly like the driving lessons you have had many times before. No different what so ever. Think of it as just another driving lessons, just with a different instructor.

When you get in the car with the examiner, tell yourself that you are going to concentrate on the road ahead, looking well ahead for any hazards. Looking for pedestrian crossings. If you see people waiting up ahead at a crossing, then you know the lights may change very soon.

Many tests are failed due to speed at junctions. When you are approaching a junction, again look well ahead in advance and assess if the junction looks busy, small or wide open. Approach junctions nice and slow. Give yourself time to think what you need to do and go over in your head well in advance of the MSM routine you have learnt with your instructor. Junctions as with roundabouts, if you are unsure it is safe to go, then it probably isn't so wait.

A great many learners fail the test because they think the examiner will think they're too slow. Driving out of a junction in front of an approaching car or so desperate to get round the cyclist that you end up dangerously close. If in doubt, then wait till you know it is safe.

It's all about looking well ahead, assessing what you need to do well before you get there and keeping appropriate speed. If the speed limit is 30 mph on a nice straight wide road with few hazards, then do 30 mph. If the road is narrow with parked cars and or pedestrians, then use an appropriate speed. 15 or 20 mph may be an appropriate speed in this situation. It may also be an idea to tell as few people as possible about your driving test. The more people that know about it then the bigger challenge you have set yourself. Listen to the examiner during your test. If you are even the slightest unsure what he said then ask him to repeat. If you do happen to take the wrong lane for example, then try and get into the correct lane safely using the MSM routine. If you can't safely get into the correct lane, then stay where you are. The examiner will simply take you a slightly different route. It is highly likely that you will make mistakes during your test. When you do, there is a good chance it will be just a minor. Put it to the back of your mind and focus on the road ahead. If you make a mistake in one of your test manoeuvres, then explain to the examiner that you would like to correct your mistake by repositioning the car for example. Keep him informed of anything you do out of the ordinary so as he knows what you are doing. If a manoeuvre really goes terribly wrong, then ask the examiner if you can do it again. Time permitting the chances are he will let you. In other words, look well ahead at all times. Use appropriate speed and never give up.