Have you ever asked someone why they failed their driving test and heard them reply “I just wasn’t ready”? Probably not. Driving instructors rarely enter their students for testing unless they are at the test level. What you’ll probably hear is “My nerves got the best of me” or “I panicked.”
This is not surprising because the driving test is always going to be a stressful 40 minute one. It’s there precisely to test your skill and you have to stay fresh to drive your best.
So aside from nerves, how else is learning to drive stressful? It’s stressful because of the pressure you’re under. Pressure occurs when you push too hard in one place, so to reduce pressure you need to create space. If you are taking an intensive course, a good way to avoid pressure is to have 2-4 hours a week in the weeks leading up to the course once you have taken the assessment and planned your test. This means you’ll be able to practice with friends and family, and if you decide you’ll need a few more hours than you originally thought, it won’t be too late to schedule a few more. Even once you start the course itself, if you leave a day between your course and the practical test itself, you’ll be able to put in a few extra hours in case you don’t feel ready. Here are some more helpful tips that should help you keep your stress levels in check.
o Make sure you are ready for your test before you take it. This may seem obvious, but taking the test before you’re ready and failing will only damage your confidence.
o Get plenty of sleep before the test. Do something to distract yourself: read or spend time with friends. Don’t drink alcohol, though: showing up for the exam hungover won’t do you any favors.
o Stay healthy in the weeks leading up to your test: exercise and eat right. This will improve your general well-being and help you stay calm.
o Avoid caffeine during the day – it will make you nervous and more likely to make mistakes.
o Remember to breathe. Breathing is good. The examiner will not be happy if you turn purple and pass out. Breath deeply; this will calm your nerves and help prevent choking.
o The rescue remedy (just ask your local pharmacy) has been shown to be effective in the past. All you do is drop some on the back of your tongue. It doesn’t taste like much, but it will let you down a bit.
o One of the most effective ways to relieve stress is to simply drive the car and not take the test. Imagine that you are a taxi driver who is proud of his excellent driving style and the examiner is a passenger who is going to give you directions throughout your trip. Every once in a while they will make a mistake and ask you to pull over and park. They will then give you further instructions. This should allow you to focus on your driving rather than the test.
o Do not be your own judge and jury; he will probably hang himself. It is the examiners job to decide if you are competent. Too many people think that a small mistake at the beginning of the test has cost them the pass and they drive recklessly, only to discover that the original mistake was only minor, but their later careless mistakes were bigger.
o Remember: if you fail, don’t let them take away your confidence. People often say, “I’m a much better driver for failing the test the first time.” If it fails, go back to the instructor, take a few more lessons and try again. It’s a skill you’ll have for life, so try to be positive about failing an exam; it means you’ll be even more informed the next time you do it.