How to pass your driving test – driving test preparation

If you want to see the very best driving test preparation techniques in one place, then you’ve come to the right place! We help over 30,000 pupils every year pass their driving test first time.

Here, we’ll cover absolutely everything that you can think of to help you prepare for your test, ensuring you are ready for the big day.

Suggestions for driving test preparation from ADIs

Below, we discuss all of the modern driving test preparation suggestions from experienced ADIs (Approved Driving Instructors) and answer the most common questions we receive on preparing for your driving test.

Skip to…

• What should I consider before booking my driving test?
• How can I prepare for my test during my driving lessons?
• How should I prepare a few weeks before my driving test?
• What are practice test routes and mock tests?
• How should I prepare the night before my test?
• What should I wear for my driving test?
• How can I manage my driving test nerves?
• What are the top tips for success on test day?

Before booking your test

Good preparation starts early. So before you even book your test, it pays to think through your options.

Agree with your instructor when to book your test. Remember your instructor is the expert so consult them first.

Choose a test centre that is local to you, where you have been practising. Many learners each year opt to book intensive driving courses online with a company that simply only cares about the booking fee. Many terms and conditions stipulate you will have a driving test at a certain time, but there is no guarantee you’ll get the test centre of your choice. In theory, if you are a good driver, you should be able to drive anywhere; however, everyone knows there are massive advantages of taking a test in an area you know well and have taken driving lessons in.

One pupil we heard about, Joan Simpson, came to us after failing an intensive course with a company where she took her driving lessons in Oxford, while her test was booked for Aylesbury. She came to us and passed in 10 hours by taking her lessons in an area she knew well.

Preparing during your driving lessons

To stand you in good stead for your driving test, pay attention to the following in your lessons:

Understand your actions

Try to understand what you are doing rather than learning by rote/memory. Under pressure, something may happen, for example a car starts reversing off a driveway as you try to move off from the side of the road. If you understand why you look over your right shoulder and that other road users may not give you priority, you will wait for that car. If you are looking over your right shoulder because your instructor tells you to, then in the moment you might not make the correct decision.

Make sure you understand the Marking Sheet

Start preparing for your driving test a few weeks in advance

Here are some checks that you can do a few weeks before you take your test:

Plan your driving lessons

Try to take your driving lessons leading up to your driving test at a similar time to when you are taking your test. For example, if you have an 8:10am test, then it’s vital you take some lessons between 7-9am. This way, you will understand the traffic and decision-making of other road users during rush hour.

Many learners are put off by taking a test around 8am in the morning. However, if you are learning with a driveJohnson’s instructor they will know the test routes for this time. In most towns/cities, the test routes are reduced during rush hour so the examiner doesn’t get caught in traffic. This means your instructor will be able to focus on certain routes more for you.

Also, ask for a driving lesson the day before your test to ease any nerves. Make sure you have had a detailed discussion with your driving instructor, highlighting any areas that you are stumbling on. Many learners book a test in advance and then ask their instructor for a lesson and cover for the test. Always ask your instructor first to ensure they are free.

Practice test routes

Practising test routes is condemned by some non-driveJohnson’s instructors. However, it’s not cheating, and if it makes you feel more confident then ask your instructor about practising some test routes. All instructors should be following the DVSA code of conduct, and teaching learners in a client-centred manner is one of them.

Do mock tests

Try to pass a mock test with your instructor before you take your actual driving test. If you can pass a mock test with your instructor then that’s a sign you are ready to pass. At driveJohnson’s, we regularly do mock tests at different stages of your learning.

Don’t get too frustrated if you don’t pass your first few mock tests. One lady called Prema who was taking her driving lessons in Oxford failed her driving test 6 times with a national driving school. She came to us, failed 5 mock tests in her lessons, and then passed first time with us. Which one is cheaper? Failing 6 driving tests or failing 5 mock tests of which some were mini mock tests (just 20 minutes long).

Please bear in mind you do need to be up to a standard where your instructor believes you have a good chance of passing to take the actual driving test. To help you gauge if you are ready, see the three examples below:

• If you are failing your mock tests with 3+ serious faults during a 40-minute mock test, then this should be enough evidence you are not ready to take your test yet.
• If you have failed your recent mock tests with 1 serious fault for doing 35 on a 30mph road, then this is a short lapse in concentration. In many cases, instructors would be willing to take you for your driving test.
• If your driving instructor is pointing out 1-2 serious driving faults over the course of an hour, it may be worth postponing your driving test by a couple of weeks. This gives you the time to get in some additional practice before your driving test. Alternatively, your instructor may even be able to increase the number of lessons to help you improve quicker.

Plan which car to use on your test

Use a vehicle you are used to for your driving test. This is normally your driving instructor’s car.

If you intend to use your own car for your test, make sure that it is safe to use on a driving test. Also, make sure that you have the correct insurance. Your examiner will ask you to sign a declaration confirming that it is correctly insured.

Check your eyesight

Something worth remembering is the all-important eyesight test. You will be asked to read a number plate from 20.5 metres so check you can do this in advance.

Avoid the main reasons for failing

Read over the top 10 reasons for failing your driving test. Look at each point and anything that confuses you or you don’t understand, ask your instructor.

Practice show me, tell me questions

Don’t forget to learn the ‘show me, tell me’ questions thoroughly. As part of your driving test, your examiner will ask you two of these questions. Make sure that you revise them in the weeks/days leading up to your driving test.

The night before your test

Plan what to take with you

Anything you may need with you on test day, have it ready the night before. This might include glasses, correct/comfortable footwear, rescue remedy, inhaler etc. Make sure that you include your driving licence within your essentials. If you don’t have your provisional licence with you, there is no chance of you taking your driving test that day.

Plan an appropriate outfit

We are often asked, ‘What do I wear on my driving test?’ There are a few things you should remember as part of your driving test preparation:

• Only wear shoes that are comfortable and allow you to maintain control of the clutch.
• The clothing you wear should be comfortable and allow you to move freely.
• Any t-shirts, blouses or shirts should not restrict your movement.
• Avoid wearing sunglasses. You must remove them during your test.

Unfortunately, there are a few people who choose to ignore our advice. Many of the driving instructors on our driving school franchise have reported cases of pupils being rude and wearing dirty clothes.

So then, what should you wear? These are the most common types of clothing:

• A comfortable t-shirt or blouse
• Straight-fitting jeans or skirt
• Comfortable trainers or plimsolls

Rest!

Make sure that you are getting plenty of rest between lessons and before your driving test. One of the most important aspects of driving test preparation is concentration. Without the necessary rest in between driving lessons and your test, your brain could be getting exhausted and this will lead to an increase in avoidable mistakes.

Try to go bed at your normal bedtime. If you go to bed at 11pm every night then your body won’t be use to going to bed at 8pm. Trying to go to bed too early may make things worse. You may start to worry you can’t get to sleep and then end up falling asleep later than your normal bedtime. There is evidence out there from very reputable sources, such as Sleep Foundation, which suggests changing your bedtime should be done gradually over weeks and not the night before a test.

On test day

So the big day is finally here! Here are our top tips for tackling your test day.

Double-check you have your licence

Check you have your driving licence with you and the theory test pass certificate/letter. Your driving licence is essential.  The theory test pass letter is usually only asked for if the examiners are working to rule, which is rare. Bring both and you can’t go wrong.

Getting the better of driving test nerves

Key to getting your driving test preparation sorted is to ensure you are mentally ready for your test. A good way to mentally prepare for your test on the day is to:

• Remember that this isn’t the only driving test that you can take. If you fail, there will be other opportunities to get your driving licence.
• As silly as it may sound, say to yourself: ‘Right, my goal today is to give this examiner the best drive of their life!’
• Picture yourself as a chauffeur. You want to get your examiner from A to B as quickly and as safely as possible, in the smoothest fashion.

Arrival

Turn up to your driving test on time. You can take your own car as long as it’s insured for the purpose of the test. When arriving at the test centre, ensure you get there approximately 5-10 minutes before your test starts. If you go into most test centre car parks too early (20-30 minutes beforehand), you may be asked to leave and come back nearer to the time.

Be polite

Remember to always treat the examiner appropriately and be polite. You want to get off to a good start and avoid any unnecessary altercations. Any examiner you meet at any test centre will expect to be talked to with respect. Don’t feel you need to engage them with an in-depth analysis of the current political situation on your test, but do answer any of their questions politely and be friendly. You want to make a good impression on the day.

Even if they fail you at the end of the test, there is no need to be rude. Remember, they may be the examiner on your next test!

Try to keep your driving on point

Set yourself high standards. Keep good lane discipline and be aware of your surroundings. As you approach junctions, try to time it and take it in one continuous motion. If your examiner can see that you are aiming for perfection then they are going to appreciate your attention to detail.

Remember the basics

On test day, it’s important to remember the very basics of a successful driving test: to safely judge traffic, maintain good lane discipline and keep a good (safe) distance from the traffic in front. This can be easily forgotten, especially if you are driving in London or another busy city where traffic is heavy and a lot is going on. If you can keep reminding yourself of the basics throughout the test, this can help you not to feel overwhelmed or make mistakes.

Don’t go too slow

Make progress where it’s safe to do so. Many learners make sudden changes on their test day, drive slowly or check the mirrors a million times every minute. Try to get up to speed limits – traffic and weather-depending. It’s quite common for learners out on their driving test to think, ‘I best do 25mph on a 30mph road to be safe and please the examiner.’ However, if it’s safe to do 30mph, then do 30mph. You must demonstrate to the examiner the correct speeds at the right times. If you do 25mph when it’s safe to do 30mph, you may frustrate road users behind you and sometimes they will sound their horn or overtake, which can create more danger.

Another example is driving at 60mph on a 70mph road. If it is safe to do 70mph, then do 70mph – that is what the examiner wants to see. If you do 60mph, the examiner will think you either lack the confidence to do the correct speed limit or that you think it’s a 60mph speed limit. They can only mark you on what they see.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

If you are unsure of any directions when the examiner gives you them, ask them to repeat themselves. Alternatively, you can say things like ‘Do you mean where the red bus is going?’ You are being tested on your ability to drive, not follow verbal directions. The same goes for the satnav part of the test – if you are unsure then ask the examiner to repeat their directions.

Don’t dwell on mistakes

Finally, if you do make an error, don’t panic. Continue driving and assessing the road ahead.

Making mistakes during your driving test is normal. During your test, you may think you’ve made a mistake when in fact the examiner doesn’t. You can only really tell if you have failed if/when the examiner intervenes physically by stopping the car for you or going for the steering wheel. Even if they intervene verbally, it’s not a 100% guarantee you have failed. So keep working hard throughout and don’t dwell on mistakes that are behind you – focus on the road ahead!