Help overcome driving test nerves
The vast majority of learner drivers suffer from nerves on their driving test. It’s perfectly normal. Firstly, put the test into context. It’s not like you can never take it again. If you do happen to fail then don’t worry about it. Just book it again. Also, the examiner sitting next to you is just a normal person doing their job. He’s not expecting you to drive like a professional, after all, you’re still a learner at this stage. All he wants to see you do is drive safely.
If your instructor has told you that you are ready for the test, then you are. Talk to your instructor about a suitable time to book it. It might be an idea to avoid rush hours times. Some test centres operate on a Saturday. At the weekends roads can be quite quiet. During the test, your instructor can sit in the back of the car if you wish. You will need to ask the examiner if he or she can. If you think this may help calm your nerves then this is worth considering.
There wont be any nasty surprises on your test. It will be exactly the same as having a normal driving lesson with your instructor, except there will only be around 30 minutes of driving. These 30 minutes will fly by and seem more like 5 minutes. During the test look well ahead and plan well in advance what you need to do. For example looking ahead at pedestrian crossings. Look to see if there are people waiting. The sooner you spot that there is, then you already know that the lights may change red at any moment. Don’t rush things. If approaching a junction for instance and it’s difficult to see if it’s clear, then slow right down. Remember, it’s not a race, he just wants to see that you can drive safely.
It may be an idea to tell the least amount of people about your test as possible. The more people that know, then the more of a challenge it becomes.
Listen carefully to the examiners directions. If in any doubt what he or she said, ask them to repeat. Also don’t be put off by the fact the examiner will be un chatty. They don’t want to put you off by talking about non essential things.
It’s highly likely that during your test you will make a mistake if not several. The chances are that it will just be minor mistakes. Don’t dwell on your mistakes. Forget about them and concentrate on the rest of the test. If possible however, try and correct them. If for example you are performing one of your manoeuvres and you make a mistake, then tell the examiner that you are aware you made a mistake and correct it. If a manoeuvre goes completely wrong, don’t give up. Ask the examiner to do it again. Time permitting they may well let you.
Having a good knowledge of the test routes in your area will also help your confidence. The DVSA do not make test routes available for your local test centre any longer, if you happen to be taking your driving test in Cambridge however, we offer the driving test routes in Cambridge on our site. A good driving instructor will know the test routes for your local driving test centre. Although it isn’t necessary to know every single road on the test routes, it is a good idea to get familiar with the more difficult areas that driving tests are commonly failed on. Whilst taking driving lessons, ask your driving instructor about these difficult areas. If you are taking driving lessons in Cambridge, here are some of the difficult test route roads in Cambridge. Which ever your chosen test centre, these areas should be very familiar to you and practiced many times.
It’s perfectly normal to be nervous before your test. It’s how you deal with the nerves during your test that matters. As soon as you get in that car with the examiner think to yourself I’m going to be looking well ahead for any hazards and talk myself through everything and anything coming up. Listen carefully to the examiner for directions and concentrate on the road ahead.
Before you know it, the driving test will be over.