Getting a driver’s license can be a route to independence. No more relying on friends, family, or public transportation. You can get where you need to go. It can also be a route to more convenience and even a means of obtaining a job.
So when you take your driver’s test, you want to make sure you pass it! Here are the 5 crucial keys to passing a driving test.
1. Study, Study, Study
Most driving tests are composed of a written part, with multiple choice questions, and a road test with a person who will rate your competence. To pass the written exam and to make sure you know all laws and regulations, there is no substitute for studying. Don’t expect the driving you may have been doing with a learner’s permit to be completely enough. Even If you’re licensed in another state, it’s still important to know the laws and regulations of the one you’re taking the test for. State laws and rules vary.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
For the driving component, there is no substitute for practice. Drive in all sorts of conditions and all weathers. Practice parallel parking, backing up, and turning. Even if you never parallel park in real life, most tests require proficiency at it. A good way to practice is to drive with a learner’s permit, of course. But it’s also okay to go to a large parking lot after hours and drive, drive, drive. Parking lots can be great places to practice turning, braking, and so on because there’s little or no traffic or speed requirements to worry about.
3. Don’t Be Nervous
Ever had the experience of everything you know leaving your mind if you’re nervous? You don’t want that to happen when the person next to you is rating your driving. You want to remember, for example, the correct order of who goes first at a four-way stop. Also, anxiety can make you drive and brake jerkily, especially if your palms are sweating. You don’t want that either.
Calm yourself down before the test by breathing deeply. Most importantly, remember that in the worst case scenario, nothing too terrible happens. Even if you fail one or both parts of the test, you simply take it over again once enough time has elapsed. There’s no cause for embarrassment: people flunk these tests all the time. It’s not a reflection on you. It just means you have to study or practice more.
4. Learn From Any Mistakes
Key #3 leads us to this advice: learn from any mistakes. In most places, you’ll see any incorrectly answered written questions. Make a note of what the correct answer was. Make sure you commit it to memory.
If you don’t pass the driving test, make similar note. The assessor will tell you of any problem areas. Those are the ones you practice for next time.
5. Prepare the Night Before
Don’t go to your driving test tired or hungry. Get a good night’s rest. Eat a healthy breakfast. Those prepare your mind and body to recall information and respond quickly to traffic and other road conditions. You need those to optimize your results. If it might be sunny, take sunglasses.
These 5 keys will help you pass both written and road tests. Good luck!
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If you need a car accident lawyer in the Los Angeles area, The Salamati Law Firm has an excellent record of obtaining justice for clients in auto accidents and more. Call us at 888-259-4060. We will provide a consultation at no charge.
More on tips for passing your driving test:
- Lamboy, Jen. “7 Reasons Student Drivers Fail Their Written Permit Exam.” DMV.org. http://www.dmv.org/articles/7-reasons-student-drivers-fail-their-written-permit-exam/
- Zakhareuski, Andrei. “You Can Do It! How to Pass a DMV Driving Test on Your FIRST Attempt.” Driving-Tests.org. http://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/you-can-do-it-how-to-pass-a-dmv-driving-test-on-your-first-attempt/
