Agony Uncle Gav: Straight talking advice.

No need to panic about your driving test

Posted on 17. Mar, 2009 by Uncle Gav in Life Issues

I’ve taken so many driving tests my driving licence looks like someone has written the alphabet on the back. I’m only missing one or two more tests before I can drive/ride anything on the road. In doing all of these tests you learn some tricks of the trade or knacks to get you through and keep stress down to a minimum.

Stressing out over your driving test

It is very easy to stress out over your driving test, it’s viewed as one of those “important times” of your life and in passing your test provides you with untold freedom. The fact that it costs a small fortune to get you through your driving lessons and tests adds to the stress just a little bit more. Depending on your tutor and driving skill you could have up to or more than 30 driving lessons which may or may not include your pre-test lessons.

This equates to a lot of money and failing your test would result in spending even more money. I’d say over 90% of the reason people fail their test is because of nerves. Nervousness gets to us all at various times in our lives. It makes us do stupid mistakes which you would not necessarily do otherwise.

I made mistakes

In my first car driving test I was so nervous when the instructor asked me to read a number plate from 50 or so yards away I could read because I was shaking so hard. My first manoeuvre was a reverse park and I bounced off the kerb. From then on in I thought I’d failed so I drove how I liked to drive, the way I was comfortable. This resulted in me passing my driving test on my first try. The feeling was fantastic!

How to stay calm

Honestly I don’t think you can stay calm when taking your driving test and anyone who says they weren’t bothered I’d call them a liar. It’s one of those most important times in your life alongside your first child or your wedding day.

I’m certainly not going to produce a list of how to tips with this as I have only one and it works!

The big tip is: Talk to yourself.

Talk yourself round the whole test. Anything you see, if there is someone looking to cross the road, if someone has pulled out in front of you, if a light changes to red or green tell yourself. Say everything out loud if you like. If you talk yourself through your test your more likely to pick up those things you’d usually miss. And the things you would usually miss are usually the things which would make you fail.

Try it and let me know if it works.

Tags: driving test, panic, scared