Driving test DO's

Hello! So I passed my drving test back in November last year (first time, might I add hehe) and only last week did I buy a car of my own. I took my first drive in it today which was super scary as I hadn't driven since I passed my driving test. I was surprised that I actually knew what all the pedals and gears did. But somehow, I drove pretty well, even if I do say so myself. There were a slight few hiccups but nothing major. This got me thinking about the time I did pass my test and that maybe I should write a post about a few things you should do on your driving test, for anyone about to take it. So here we go...

 

 

1. Try to relax

 

Now, I was a nervous wreck just before my driving test. I think the most nervous I have ever been in my life. Driving without my driving instructor was daunting and I would have paid a lot of money to be anywhere else but sitting in the car about to take my test. I did not want to take my test a second time (partly because I didn't want to fork out another £60) and so, I made sure to concentrate and drive is safely as I possibly could. Although your heart will be punching at your chest when you are waiting for the examiner to walk down the stairs, when you are in the car you will get over that and just relax. At the end of the day, you shouldn't be doing your test if you aren't capable of driving safely. So panicking is inevitable, but try to relax as much as possible.

 

2. Your lesson before WILL go bad

 

I had the worst lesson before my test. I can't remember the amount of times I stalled and used the wrong gears! I honestly thought, if this is the way my test is going to go then I've already failed. But my driving instructor told me that its only natural for the lesson before to not go so well (after my test!) So don't worry too much if your lesson before goes horribly, it's only nerves and you won't have time to think about them when you take your driving test.

 

3. Bring all the correct information

 

Obviously your driving instructor will make sure you have all the right information with you, but just checking. I double checked constantly. You don't want to be the one to get to a driving test and not even have your licence!

 

4. Know the show me tell me questions

 

I didn't even know this was a thing until someone at school said about it when they were about to take their test. There is a set of standardised questions which the examiner will pick two from to ask you before you start your test - one of them will be a show me question, the other a tell me. Now I don't think you can fail your test for not knowing the answers, but it is always best to have gone over them with someone before your test as it shows that you know what you are doing. I went over them twice with my dad before my test and luckily I got some of the easier ones and got them right. So make sure to know them!

 

5. Listen and talk to the examiner

 

The examiner will tell you where to go and what signs to follow. Make sure to pay attention while concentrating on the road. But if you do forget where they told you to go, don't be afraid to ask them again. I did. When I got to my independent driving, she told me a few instructions (a few lefts, a few rights) and I got a bit confused, so I asked her again and that was not a problem. Having said that, even if you do go the wrong way, the driving instructor will lead you back round another way - you will not fail for that. Talking to the examiner is a good way to show that you are a confident driver and can also keep make you relax. So listen to the examiner, but don't feel you can't ask for instructions again.

 

6. Check your mirrors all the time

 

According to my examiner, I checked the windows 'superbly'. It is a simple thing to do and I made it so obvious that I was checking my windows - I literally turned my head like an owl when I was checking my windows. Make it clear that you are aware of what is around you. They are looking for you to be safe. If you don't check your windows, you are showing that you will not be a safe driver. Also, every time you pull out somewhere from either a parking spot or the side of a road, make sure to check your blind spot! If you keep forgetting every time, they could fail you.

 

7. Better safe than sorry

 

Always check the speed limits. You should either stick to speed limits or go under. You can fail for going too fast, but you can't for going to slow (unless of course, you are doing 10mph constantly for your whole test!) I never drove too slow in my driving lessons, so I was really surprised when I got a few minors for driving too slow. I think it was just because I was nervous and didn't want to fail for going over the speed limit. If you don't know the speed limit, it is probably best to stick to 30 until you see a sign.

8. Don't be too confident

The examiner will know if you are a good, safe driver or not. You don't need to show off. If you make a mistake, admit to it, don't argue about it. When I realised I was going a bit too fast down a hill, I told my examiner, because then it shows that I am aware of what I may be doing wrong. When I had to do my bay parking, I told her that I didn't think it went too well. She told me that if its in the lines, it's fine, and it was (also, you can't fail if you don't park the car first time, just try again - you may get a few minors, but if you hit the curb you will fail). So, don't be over confident, if you are a bit cautious then you will concentrate more and have a higher chance of passing.
 

You will find that you do things wrong that you usually do fine in your lessons. I remember getting 3rd gear wrong on the test, which I'd never done before. Taking your driving test is scary, but if it doesn't go well, then when you take it next time, at least you'll know what to expect.

 

I hope this post may help anyone about to take their driving test or thinking about learning to drive! If you have any more suggestions, feel free to add some in the comments.

 

Lauren :)