| Have you ever asked someone why they failed their | | | | favours. |
| driving test and heard them reply "I just wasn't ready"? | | | | • Be healthy in the weeks before your test - |
| Probably not. Driving instructors rarely enter their pupils | | | | exercise and eat well. This will improve your overall |
| for the test unless they're up to test standard. What | | | | wellbeing and help to keep you calm. |
| you probably will hear is "My nerves got the better of | | | | • Avoid caffeine on the day - it'll make you jittery |
| me" or "I panicked". However, all you need to do is | | | | and more prone to making mistakes. |
| stay calm, and you’ll be far more likely to pass with | | | | • Remember to breathe. Breathing is good. The |
| flying colours.Staying calm during your driving test is | | | | examiner will not be happy if you turn purple and pass |
| easier said than done, simply because the driving test | | | | out. Breathe deeply; this will calm your nerves and help |
| is always going to be a stressful 40 minutes. It's there | | | | to avoid suffocation. |
| precisely to test your ability and you've got to stay | | | | • Rescue remedy (just ask for it at your local |
| cool in order to drive your best. | | | | chemist) has proved to be effective in the past. All you |
| So aside from nerves, how else is learning to drive | | | | do is drop a tiny bit on the back of your tongue. It |
| stressful? It's stressful because of the pressure you're | | | | doesn't taste of much but it will defrazzle your nerves |
| under. Pressure is caused when too much is squeezed | | | | a bit. |
| into one place, so to reduce the pressure you need to | | | | • One of the most effective stress relievers is to |
| create space. If you're having an intensive course then | | | | just drive the car and not do the test. Imagine that you |
| a good way to avoid pressure is to have 2 - 4 hours | | | | are a taxi driver who is proud of their excellent driving |
| a week in the weeks leading up to the course once | | | | style and the examiner is a passenger who is going to |
| you've had the assessment and planned in your test. | | | | give you directions along your journey. Every now and |
| This means that you'll be able to practice with friends | | | | then they will make a mistake and ask you to pull over |
| and family, and if you decide that you'll need a few | | | | and park. They'll then give you further instructions. This |
| more hours than originally thought it won't be too late | | | | should enable you to focus on your driving rather than |
| to schedule some more in. Even once you start the | | | | the test. |
| course itself, if you leave yourself a day between your | | | | • Don't be your own judge and jury - you will |
| course and the practical test itself then you'll be able to | | | | probably hang yourself. It is the examiners job to |
| fit in a few extra hours on the off chance that you | | | | decide if you are competent. Too many people think |
| don't quite feel ready. Here are some more helpful tips | | | | that a small mistake at the start of the test has cost |
| that should help you keep your stress levels under | | | | them their pass and drive recklessly, only to discover |
| control. | | | | that the original mistake was only a minor but their |
| • Do make sure you're ready for your test before | | | | subsequent careless mistakes were majors. |
| you actually go in for it. This might seem obvious but | | | | • Remember: if you do fail don't let it take your |
| taking the test before you're ready and failing will only | | | | confidence. People often say "I'm a much better driver |
| damage your confidence. | | | | for failing the test first time." If you fail, go back to the |
| • Get enough sleep before the test. Do something | | | | instructor, have a few more lessons and try again. It's |
| to take your mind off it - read or spend time with | | | | a skill you'll have for life, so try to be positive about |
| friends. | | | | failing a test - it means that you'll be even more |
| • Don't drink alcohol the night before - turning up for | | | | knowledgeable next time you go through. |
| the test with a hangover is not going to do you any | | | | |