Got the driving test jitters?
That’s totally normal!
But you’re here to calm your nerves about your upcoming judgment day. And we’re here to help with that.
Know this: there is no cheat code for your road test.
But there are some road test tips that will help you pass on your first try.
Remember, all it takes is preparation and confidence to ace it.
That’s why we’ll help you cultivate those two things by providing you with a couple of useful tips and friendly reminders.
So let’s get started!
6 Helpful Road Test Tips
These 6 road test tips are not over the top — something you can hardly follow.
Instead, it’s all very simple and very easy to follow.
Let’s take a look.
#1: Practice, Practice, Practice
This is an obvious one.
But are you really applying it?
Before you take your driving test, make full use of your learner’s permit. With this, you’re able to drive around as long as you’re supervised by someone with an official driver’s license.
So go have regular sessions with your parents or a certified instructor.
During these sessions, get accustomed to driving, the vehicle, and the roads.
It’s also a good idea to set aside time for learning each driving skill you can think of. This includes parallel parking, forward parking, three-point turns, switching lanes, etc.
Being able to laser focus on each driving skill allows you to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
And remember, the main goal of practicing before a test isn’t to get things perfect — so don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, you practice getting comfortable in the driver’s seat.
#2: Ease Your Anxiety
This brings us to our second tip — relax!
Don’t beat yourself up for feeling nervous about a test. This happens to every normal person out there.
Getting a license is an exciting milestone, so you’re bound to feel things about it.
Make way for your feelings, acknowledge them!
But don’t let it control you.
And the best way to ease your anxiety is to do a deep breathing exercise.
If you easily get more nervous than most people, make it a habit to catch your breath. Gather yourself for a moment and then slowly inhale and exhale.
You’ll be surprised.
This can do wonders for your anxiety.
#3: Study
While it’s good to have plenty of driving practice, it’s also important that you learn inside the “classroom”.
One effective way of studying is by learning from other people — especially from pros. There are tons of free video tutorials on the internet about all things driving. There are also blogs you can read.
You can find anything from pre-driving basics (i.e. checking side mirrors, rearview mirrors, seat adjustment, etc…), state driving laws and road signs, to common mistakes most newbie drivers make.
#4: Prepare for Unexpected Scenarios
The main goal of your examiner is to assess if you’re ready to drive without supervision. And one way to be ready is if you’re level-headed enough to deal with unexpected situations.
The road isn’t a controlled environment.
You’ll be out together with thousands of drivers, each with their own agendas. And a select few will even try to bend the rules.
Other times, it’s as simple as the weather not cooperating.
Examples of unexpected situations can include:
- Low visibility due to fogging
- Car tailing too closely
- Animals on the road
Uncommon scenarios are likely to happen — and yes, they can happen even during your road test.
So you need to be ready for that.
Don’t expect everything to be perfect.
If you’re ready for it, then you won’t panic if it suddenly comes.
#5: Go Over the Basics
Because of nervousness, many newbies only focus on the driving part of the test.
Don’t make the same mistake!
Keep in mind the test doesn’t start once your car is already moving — it starts way before that.
Nailing down the basics is part of your test.
Are the side mirrors in place? Check.
Wearing your seatbelt? Check.
Horns are working?
Check. Check. Check.
If your examiner sees that you make an effort to inspect that everything’s in tip-top shape, you’ll get extra points in your score, guaranteed.
#6: Understand the Road Test Point System
In every test, it helps to know how you are graded. This makes it easier for you to prioritize what driving skills and behavior you should polish.
That said, here’s a rough outline of what requirements the examiner looks for in its students.
Pre-Drive Checklist
As we mentioned earlier, the exam starts before you even get to drive. And you need to keep in mind the things you have to check before going off.
Here is a pre-drive checklist:
- The driver window must be working
- The windshield must be clear and should not impair vision
- Rear-view mirrors should be clear and unobstructed
- Brake lights and turn signals must be working
- The foot brake must not be stuck
- The horn should be loud enough and must be appropriate for vehicle use
- Safety belts must be secured
These are some of the essentials.
Now, depending on your state, there are some additional ones that should be on this list. So go ahead and do some research.
Driving Performance Evaluation
Now for the meat of the test — how you navigate the road and command your vehicle. This is the part where practice and confidence come into play.
You’ve practiced and studied, now it’s time to prove to your examiner that you have what it takes to be a seasoned driver.
Here are some of the skills they grade:
- Traffic check – how observant you are with other vehicles and pedestrians. This shows that you care about your safety and the safety of others.
- Speed – how appropriately steady you are with the speed of your vehicle.
- Deceleration/braking – how smooth you are with slowing down and braking. Try to not be so jerky.
- Steering control – how steady you are with your steering motions.
- Signal – if you signal with your vehicle or arms before performing an action.
- Yield – you make way for pedestrians and other vehicles with right of way
These criteria apply to different situations such as when in a parking lot, when turning, etc… Keep that in mind as you are performing your driving test. Every move you make is more or less graded!
Final Thoughts
If you just follow these 6 road test tips, we’re sure you’ll ACE the test.
So go ahead and apply the tips right now.
Good luck!