On an average day in the UK 6,000 people will take driving test. Many of them will have spent over £1,000 on lessons and test fees before their test day. Unfortunately, pass rates indicate that only about 2,500 will pass.
Have you booked your driving test date in Bournemouth? This article takes a look at the things you should do on the day to improve your chances of success.
- Get enough rest. Even when you can’t sleep (for afternoon tests), you should make sure you got enough sleep on the night before the test day.
- Stay positive. Statistics show that less than 50% of people pass their driving test at the first time of asking, and you should take that as a positive rather than a negative. Tell yourself that you are fully prepared for the test and that you will pass.
- Don’t skip breakfast. Nervousness can make you lose appetite but food is vital if you want to maintain maximum concentration. Add fruit to your breakfast on the day. If your test is in the afternoon, don’t skip lunch either. However, be mindful of being too full. Feeling bloated on a normal day with nothing riding on it is uncomfortable. Imagine feeling bloated on a day when your money is at stake! Being full also means that your stomach will demand blood flow from the rest of your body. That is why you feel tired after a big meal.
- Drive your test routes. Most people have a lesson before their test. If you are doing your driving lessons in Bournemouth then you should be doing your test in the same area. Before your test do some manoeuvres and then have your driving instructor guide you around the Bournemouth driving test routes you may encounter. It is really reassuring to meet the same roads in your test shortly afterwards.
- Dress comfortably. Skimpy clothes may be offensive to the examiner but you shouldn’t be overdressed either. Get your attire right for the temperature of the day, but wear layers if is cold. The last thing you want is to be wearing a big jumper and the car to be warm from the heater having been in use.
- Don’t mentally dwell on the test too much. Give your mind other things to think about. Play some games with your friends and family, or watch a movie. Over thinking the test is not good for your anxiety levels.
- Arrive early. If you are late for your test it will be cancelled and you will forfeit the fee! Be sure to arrive at the test venue at least 10 minutes ahead of time. Be prepared for a wait if things are running late though.
- Relieve tension before the test. You can do this by taking a few slow deep breaths and clenching and relaxing your muscles.
- Don’t fight nervousness. It is normal to feel nervous but don’t let it get the better of you. Remember that excitement and nervousness are basically the same things for your body. If you can think positively you can make your physiological response to the situation work for you instead of against you.
- Pay attention to instructions from the examiner. If you are not sure of what they said ask them to repeat the instructions. Act on the instructions in good time. If you go the wrong way then just drive safely. They won’t fail you for taking a wrong direction, as long as you drove correctly.
- Don’t do anything different from what you have been doing through your learning. The examiner wants to see what you would normally do in a situation. People often fail their driving tests for over-correcting their weaknesses. For example, if you spend too much time looking in your mirror because you perceive that is a weakness then you can fail your test for excessive use of mirrors instead of using them too sparingly.
- Explain the reasons for your action when asked by the examiner. In fact, you should explain your decision if you feel it will be misjudged by the examiner.
- Don’t use the phone. Turn off the phone or have it on silent and out of your sight. One of the worst mistakes you can make in the course of the test is attempting to deal with a ringing phone. Taking your eye off the road is frowned upon heavily by examiners!
- Ignore all unsubstantiated opinions you may have heard. There are many driving test misconceptions flying around and acting based on these myths could be detrimental to the success of your driving test.
Prepare well, drive safely, expect to pass and you will do well.
Click here to read our top 7 driving tips for learners.
