Getting your driver's license is a big step in life, and it can be a necessary tool for getting a job or the key to experiencing the world around you. Preparing for your driving test can seem especially daunting because you have to take everything you’ve read and actually do it! Thankfully, there are some easy ways to prepare that don’t cost a lot and can really improve your chances of success. Here are some ideas for you to consider:
1. Who you will be driving with during practice? Are they someone you respect and can take advice from, or will you get flustered or anxious with them?
2. Practice in a car with an automatic transmission and power steering. Not having to worry about shifting and awkward controls will let you focus on your driving.
3. Find a quiet area without a lot of other traffic when you first start your driving practice, even if it means going a bit out of your way. Starting in a busy area with complicated traffic signals will hurt your confidence!
4. Plan your practice routes with your mentor to ensure you get to experience all of the required traffic signs, maneuvers and traffic patterns.
5. Always bring your driving manual with you on your practice drives so that you can refer to it for any technical details that you can’t recall clearly.
6. Before going on a practice drive with your mentor, imagine yourself driving and visualize what you will do in different situations and what it will feel like in the car.
7. Talk to your friends about what their driving test was like, and get a sense of what the examiner was getting them to do and where they felt unprepared.
Applying these tips while you practice will reduce your stress and allow you to focus on learning the skills you need to pass your driving test the first time!
