Our Top Ten Tips on Passing 1st time

Our Top Ten Tips on Passing 1st Time

The best way to pass your practical driving test is to prepare!. The DVLA suggests between 30 and 45 hours of practical training to learn to drive.

Learn from a Qualified Driving Instructor.

There are many advantages to using a qualified driving Instructor over learning with just family and friends. Driving Instructors are highly trained in all aspects of teaching and are kept up to date with all the latest laws and changes to the driving test.They will know what is expected on the test and will test you in all aspects of learning to drive, including manoeuvres, sat-nav and using ancillary controls.

Keep it up

When you decide to start learning to drive, keep it up. This may sound obvious but many pupils stop and start lessons. This means you don’t really make any progress and it ends up costing you a lot more money. This also means turning up for your lessons and putting your driving lessons first. We find dedicated pupils pass much faster and it costs them a lot less money.

Test routes

We don’t advocate just learning test routes, but we do think its best to learn to drive in the area you are going to take your test. All towns have there quirky parts and the more you know whats round the next corner the better. We often hear of pupils going to test centre miles from where they live to take their test because they have heard its easier, this is a huge mistake and taking your test in an area you don’t know is a big disadvantage.

Keep studying the theory test

Even if you have passed your theory test you need to keep studying. Knowing every sign and every law can really help you pass your test. There is lots of additional information out there which can really help. We recommend “The official DVSA guide to driving”. You can find this book here: https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/shop

Manual or Automatic

Choosing the correct transmission for you, can save lots of time and money. We are usually encouraged to drive a manual car and that is fine, but it’s not for everyone and spending lots of time and money on trying to master a manual car when there is a much easier option. We suggest trying a manual but after a few lessons if you are make little progress or you just want a faster and easier option try automatic.

Time of Day

Considering the time you take your test can also help. If you are not a morning person then don’t book an 8.20 in the morning test. You should also consider the area where the test centre is, if it’s near a school or factory where at certain times of day it is very busy, do you really want to be starting your test then. Book a time that suits you and not just the earliest date available.

Keep it quiet

Keeping quiet about your test can really help. Advertising to everyone you know that you have your test coming up can really add to the pressure. People often want to give you advice, which is fine but they may give you the wrong advice. It’s best if just you and your driving Instructor and close family are the only ones who know.

Expectations

It’s important on the build up to your test not get your expectations too high, you need to go with the attituide “what will be will be”. To many people build the day into a huge event which just stops them from driving their best on the day. If you just think if I fail I will go home and just book again, this can keep the pressure off and we find this kind of approach helps pupils to do their best on the day.

The examiner

There are lots of myths about examiners and test results, well all you need to think is the examiner is just a normal person doing their job. They on average see 35 pupils a week. To be honest they are not interested whether you pass or fail it makes no difference to them, they still get paid the same. It is important not to be intimidated by the examiner, so for example if you didn’t hear an instruction just ask for them to repeat it.

Private Practice

If you can get private practice this can be a great advantage. It is however important to take small steps when going out with family or friends, you must remember they are not as experienced as your instructor and it will take time for them to get confidence in your ability.