Applying for a driving test may seem like a challenge for most of us. Despite hours of training and preparation, people tend to fail during their driving tests. This is quite common and there are very few candidates who get through the test phase without any reattempts. If you have a similar experience or if you are preparing to apply the test for the first time, here are some tips that can help you in putting forth your best performance.

  1. Check the Rules and Regulations

Every state and country has a different set of driver’s manual that lists all the rules and regulations associated with driving. This includes all the traffic rules and how to interpret various signs and signals. As a basic preparatory step, you need to read the entire manual in order to familiarize yourself with all the important rules regarding speed limits, safety norms, and road signs.

Not just reading but remembering them during the test is also important so you need to handle the task depending on your ability to remember things when needed. Many people rush through this stage and give more importance to other practical aspects. This is a big mistake you need to avoid. These simple steps can serve as a strong foundation for the rest of the preparatory work.

  1. Maximize your Behind-the-Wheel Comfort Levels
  • Everyone tends to practice more before their test but still, they end up failing because of their nervousness. To overcome this obstacle you need to train yourself until the point where you feel fully comfortable while driving. Besides more hours of practice, you need to learn how to do it alone without your trainer guiding you every now and then. Driving alone without anyone’s help can augment your confidence and thereby make the whole process seem quite easier.
  • You should realize that everyone has their own level of driving skills and you might need more hours of practice to feel comfortable behind the wheels.
  • Make sure that you practice in the same car that you will be using for the test.
  • Also, choose different types of lanes and streets rather than driving along the familiar routes that you usually choose. This is the most important and challenging part of your preparation that can certainly help you in getting through your test quite easily.
  1. Choose the Right Vehicle

Even though a good driver can handle any kind of car, you need to put some thought and effort before picking a vehicle for your driving lessons. This is a step that you should take one or two weeks before the test. If you are having the test in a day or two, it is best to take the same car that you have been using for practicing. But if you have enough time and if the driving institute provides you the option, you can try driving a different model before choosing a vehicle that seems more comfortable. You cannot rent cars using a learner’s permit so you need to depend on your trainer to help you in choosing a car that feels most comfortable while driving.

  1. Avoid Common Mistakes

In general, finding the common mistakes committed by learners can help you in avoiding them while appearing for your driving test. There are many ways to research this aspect.

  • Your trainer should be able to help you in listing all the probable areas that can go wrong.
  • You can also inquire with your friends and fellow students who have given their driving tests recently to get a better idea about the most common errors. This includes the mistakes committed during the road test as well as the oral/written test.
  • Depending on the DMV rules for your state, you can search online for details about your driving test and make sure that you stay clear of all the easily committable mistakes.
  1. Attempt a Mock Test

Trying your skills with a mock test is a great way to judge your ability to pass the real test. Different states have different procedures associated with the driving test.

So if you have a written test to clear, you can try attempting the previously conducted test papers. If you’re driving institute doesn’t provide sample test papers, you can find them online from social sites and blogs dedicated to driving. In some states, only an oral test is conducted. However, you can still attempt some mock tests you find online to locate areas where you need improvement. There are also some online forums that share details about the common questions and issues faced by candidates during their driving test. In short, there are endless options to explore. The more you prepare, the better you perform.

  1. Hone Your Observation Skills

Good driving is all about strong observation and complete concentration. Whenever you are driving you should pay your entire attention to the street ahead of you. Things become more challenging when you come across intersections, turns, and crossroads. These are the areas where your observation skills can help you in performing like a well-experienced driver.

The test administrator will check your level of observation while driving. So make sure that you check the mirrors frequently not only to convince your test administrator but also to keep a track of other vehicles on the road.

  1. Follow the Speed Limits
  • There are different speed limits to be followed when you are driving on a busy road. Also, you should pay attention to the traffic signboards that specify the permissible speed limits. During a driving test, people miss out on such small things owing to nervousness.
  • The day before your test you need to practice driving with special attention to speed limits.
  • You should ask your trainer to take note of the speed levels and practice until you are in full control of the recommended speed.
  • Note that in an attempt to follow the speed limits you should not reduce the speed beyond the prescribed lower limit. If you are too slow it would seem unprofessional as a driver. And if you are driving on a busy street you should be more careful about maintaining an average speed.
  1. Feel Confident

There are many people who drive well during the practice sessions but mess up while driving for the test. This is a common phenomenon that can happen when you tend to be nervous. It is natural to feel conscious about your performance when someone is watching over keenly. But you need to prepare yourself to feel fully confident as a driver.

If you have practiced well and have done around 60 to 65 hours of driving for the entire duration of your training program, you don’t need to worry about failing. The fear of underperformance can only affect those who haven’t prepared well. So make sure that you spend enough time on practical and theoretical lessons so as to perform with confidence.

  1. Check the DMV Website

Before applying for the test, you should check the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) website related to your state. There, you will be able to find lots of important information regarding the basic requirements of a driving test. This includes the list of important driving skills that would be assessed during the test. The site also provides rules regarding reattempts and options to reschedule or postpone your test. The site can also help you in learning the requirements associated with the vehicle you choose for the test.

  1. Know When to Stop

There are a few instances during a drive wherein the driver has to slow down and pause for a few seconds. This includes turns and crossroads where you have to check if it is safe to proceed before speeding up again. Also, while exiting a driveway you need to stop for a few seconds to check the road for any vehicles approaching in your direction. Also, make sure that you do not stop for more than a few seconds. Whenever there is a stop sign avoid a rolling stop. In this context, timing is very important and you need to practice it well before appearing for the test.

  1. Practice the U-Turns

U-turns can be quite challenging if you lack enough practice. You should practice it at different spots so as to learn the process quite well.

Even in a small lane, you should be able to steer your car smoothly to turn around and drive back. While performing the turn if there are other vehicles on the street you should be quick and careful.

Also, check if there are any road signs that indicate the drivers to avoid a U-turn.

Before you appear for the test, you should realize that being a good driver is more important than merely passing the test. Your driver’s license proves that you have learned driving but the real test comes when you practice it on your own. You should try to be a good driver not just for passing the test but for your entire lifetime. If you learn driving with this goal in mind passing the test would be much easier.

How quickly can you pass your driving test?

Pass your driving test in just ten weeks

The DVLA says that, on average, people who pass the first time have around 40 hours of lessons with a driving instructor, supplemented by 20 hours of supervised practice with family or friends. In the case of most learners, this takes around four to five months.

Is passing driving test hard?

The driving test really is unlike any other test you’re likely to take. It has so many potential pitfalls, high stress and nerves with an examiner sitting right next to you.

Is hitting the KERB a fail?

Generally speaking, hitting the kerb during a driving test is a big no no. From the examiners point of view it is classed as a lack of control. Gently hitting a kerb for one examiner could be an immediate fail, for another a simple minor.

Can you fail your driving test for hesitation?

A test candidate can be marked for undue hesitation for varying circumstances such as moving off, moving away from traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing, but the vast majority of faults occur around junctions. Essentially, undue hesitation is a failure to proceed when it is safe to do so.

Which time is best for driving test?

Ideal driving test time

Probably the best driving test time is outside of rush hour. Driving test times of 10:14 and 13:35 being the ideal choice as this will also avoid the slight traffic increase that may occur during lunchtime.

What is hesitation in a driving test?

Undue hesitation is when you fail to make enough progress, especially at junctions, when you could safely do so. In other words, you’re taking too long to take action and missing chances.

Is hesitation a major in driving test?

As you drive, the examiner will be watching to see whether you drive at an appropriate speed for the road you’re on and that you make good progress. Undue hesitation falls under this particular category. If the examiner thinks you’re being unduly hesitant, they will give you a driving test fault for it.

Can you cross your hands in a driving test?

Yes you can cross your hand on a driving test, within reason. Driving examiners do of course know this too and do permit crossing the hands on a driving test. Many years ago, crossing hands on a driving test would almost certainly fail the test.

What is a Grade 1 fault in a driving test?

1 fault:- Minor fault. Grade 2 fault:- More serious fault. Grade 3 fault:- Dangerous/Potentially Dangerous fault, or total disregard of traffic controls.

What counts as a major on a driving test?

Serious fault

You can get a serious (commonly known as a ‘major‘) fault if you get multiple minor faults for the same area of driving OR you do one thing that’s potentially dangerous. It’s labelled ‘s’ on your driving test report sheet. Sadly, you only need one serious fault to fail.

What do driving examiners look for?

What a driving examiner looks for. Driving examiners are mostly looking for natural and safe driving. Don’t listen to anyone saying that you should drive a certain speed under the speed limit, all that’s going to achieve is to annoy the examiner and perhaps even fail the driving test.

Why is it so hard to pass a driving test?

Many factors contribute towards failing a driving test. Often, it is due to the learner driver although on certain occasions it can be the driving examiner being a little too harsh during a particular situation, where a different examiner may let it pass.

What qualifications do you need to be a driving examiner?

You need to have a full category C+E licence for manual vehicles to apply for a vacancy where fast-track large goods vehicle examiners are needed. It’s also desirable to have a full category D licence, but it’s not essential. You don’t need to have been a driving instructor to become a driving examiner.