Taking your driving test can be a daunting experience. While it isn't unusual to feel nervous at the thought of taking your driving test, it is also true that being nervous could make the difference between walking away with a brand new driving licence or having to go back to learning how to drive. There are a number of steps you can take to reduce your nerves and increase the chance of passing your test.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Regular practice is the most effective way of overcoming fear of your driving test. The more you do something and realise you can do it repeatedly, without making a mistake, the greater your confidence in your abilities will become. You should take every opportunity to practice your driving, be it with a family member or friend, or driving lessons with a professional driving school.
Talk about it
Take command of your nerves by talking about how you are feeling. Putting on a brave face and pretending to be confident won't change the way you are feeling inside. You should find someone you can confide in and talk about your fears. This will help you to realise that everyone feels anxious before their driving test.
Prepare Your Paperwork
You should make sure you have any documentation you need, such as your driving permit, and keep it somewhere safe. The last thing you want is to find yourself searching for paperwork on the morning of the test, as this will increase your anxiety.
Sleep and Eat Well
You should go to bed early the night before the test, avoiding alcohol or sleep aids which could make you groggy in the morning. Make sure you eat a good breakfast on the day of your test that is high in protein rich foods. Eggs, cereals and yogurt are all great sources of protein, which will help keep your energy levels up. While nerves can sometimes kill your appetite, not eating will lead to low energy and blood sugar during your test, which will increase anxiety and affect your concentration.
Think of the Test Like Any Other Lesson
The truth is that there isn't that much difference between a driving lesson and a driving test. A large amount of anxiety and stress is created when you view the test as something special. If you can learn to approach your driving test in the same way as any other time you get behind the wheel, you can help to reduce the pressure you feel.
