Taking a mock driving test at any point during your time learning to drive is a great way to see where you’re at and what areas of your driving need improvement before your test. A mock test is also a good way for you to experience what it might be like on the day of your test as your instructor will try to make the mock test as realistic as possible.
Should I take a mock driving test?
Before you take your driving test, you’ll want to make sure that you’re 100% ready, a mock driving test is a great way to find this out one way or another. A mock test can be used to find out if you’re ready for the real thing and can also be useful for your instructor to see what level your driving is at and they can establish any weak areas you need work.
A mock driving test can be taken at any point throughout your learning; however, we advise you to take a mock test at least four weeks before your practical test. Taking a mock test any closer to the real thing may set you back if you fail the mock test. Taking a mock test four weeks before the practical test leaves adequate time to work on any areas of your driving that aren’t yet perfect, also, the outcome of your mock test will not affect you on the big day as much as it would if you took the mock test the day before.
For particularly nervous pupils, taking a mock test very early on during their learning can be useful as they can find out how many driving lessons they need, get a better feel for driving test pressures and can gauge when they should book their driving test. This will remove some of the uncertainty around learning to drive and hopefully help to calm some nerves.
What are the benefits of a mock driving test?
There are many benefits to taking a mock driving test, whether you’re just starting your driving lessons or your driving test date is looming.
One of the main benefits of taking a mock driving test is that it allows the pupil to get an understanding of test conditions early on. For example, your instructor may act in the same manner as the examiner would during the real thing; this means they will be making notes and limiting small talk. It can be invaluable to experience test conditions before the real thing takes place so that it doesn’t surprise you or make you feel uneasy.
Also, depending on your driving instructor, they may take you on one of the test routes over 40 minutes to make it as realistic and like the day of the test as possible. If you have multiple mock driving tests, you may cover more than one test route, which is a perfect opportunity for your instructor to see what test routes, if any, you need more practice on. For example, if you’re taking your driving lessons in Northallerton, your instructor will have already covered multiple test routes throughout your lessons and they may use them during your mock test.
Another benefit of taking a mock driving test is that your instructor will likely target any weak areas you have so that they can see how you cope under pressure. Many pupils find the real practical test to be easier than a mock test as their instructor has prepared them for the worst-case scenario to make them a stronger, better driver.
If I fail a mock driving test, can I still take my driving test?
If you fail a mock driving test, you can still take your driving test. However, if you fail a mock test it’s an indication that you need more hours before your practical test, you may even need to consider putting your test date back to a date that is more attainable for you to work towards. As previously mentioned, we would strongly recommend against taking a mock driving test with less than four weeks until your driving test, because if you fail it will knock you back and you may not have enough time to recover.
Some learners may pass a mock test early on, but as the test gets closer and pressure builds, fail a mock test in the lead up to the practical. Pressure or nerves can cause learners to make silly mistakes which could result in them failing a mock test. However, it is much better to fail a mock test than to fail the real thing!
Many learners say that they don’t mind if they fail their driving test; they’re happy to have the experience. Failing your driving test is not something you should aim for; it will knock your confidence, can be demoralising and costly. If you fail your driving test, it will cost you at least £200 to cover the cost of the driving test fee and refresher lessons you will require. Therefore, if your results are lower than the standard needed to pass your driving test, we would not recommend that you take your driving test without first having further lessons.
