Psychic preparation for the driving test

If you want to become a driver, the enthusiasm you might have comes along with some stress about the learning process, as well as the responsibility that you share with the other traffic members.

To help you manage your state of mind as your driving test date comes closer, focus on the fact that the DMV is committed to helping you succeed. No one is out to get you, and the test is there to ensure you know what to do to keep yourself and the other members of traffic safe.

Carefully study the materials provided by your state’s DMV, including the driver’s handbook, to improve your chances of passing and also to help you feel more confident about your abilities as a driver. Remember, the DMV examiner will ride with you during the test to ensure you can drive safely and obey traffic laws.

Getting ready for your driving test can add some emotional distress to what you are already feeling, but with the right preparation, you can balance the nervousness and also feel confident enough to make sure you pass. Here’s how to mentally prepare yourself for success on your driving test.

1. Maintain a balanced perspective on your emotions

As with any milestones in our adult life, feeling nervous about applying for a driver’s license and all the learning and preparations you have to go through beforehand, is perfectly normal.
As long as you don’t allow this to overwhelm you to the point where you sabotage yourself, embracing the uneasiness might be a good approach. Use it as a motivation to study and strengthen your knowledge, but keep in mind there is no way to completely exclude it from what you might feel about your upcoming test.

2. What to expect during the test

Sometimes, knowing how a process will go can help you manage stress better. Here is what your driving test will be based on - you’ll be tested on basic driving actions such as making left and right turns, stopping at intersections, backing up in a straight line, changing lanes, driving in regular traffic, and possibly driving on the freeway. All the steps that you used to practice for during your preparation, actions that you already know by this point and that will be part of your day to day driving, after you pass the test.

Along with you, someone qualified will be in the car that day - the examiner. Keep in mind that his or her role is to assess your driving skills, not to trick you. Expect to be treated with respect, fairness, and courtesy throughout the process. If you feel otherwise, contact the office manager of your local driving examiner.

3. Make sure to ask plenty of questions

As the day of your driving test gets closer, you might want to get any doubt or unclarity out of your system. Feel free to ask your driving instructor any questions lingering in your mind. You can also practice the most challenging maneuvers, review your skills and seek direct feedback from your instructor. This will help you reinforce your knowledge and bild your confidence.
Logic will be far more helpful than memorizing information mechanically. Also, as with most things in life, there is no useless question and getting things clear in your mind will be a great asset for when you need that information.

4. Avoid stress inducing situations

Maybe now is not the right time to hear again that story on how your friend failed the driving test 5 times. This could be a good example on how to avoid stress inducing situations in the context of getting ready for this important exam.

Some other excellent actions you can take into consideration when avoiding useless stress are all related to how well you are committed to learn and how sure you are about your knowledge and skills. Does a certain maneuver make you nervous? Some extra practice will definitely help. Are the practice tests still difficult for you? Then you should keep learning and going over them, before declaring yourself ready for the real one.

Stress before any kind of exam has one cure only, and that is making sure you are doing everything in your power to set yourself up for success. Keep a positive attitude and make sure you are prepared as well as you can.

5. Visualize your day during the driving test

We are not saying that just thinking about it will make it happen. But playing it over in your head and knowing what you are preparing for certainly helps.

Think about the way your knowledge test will go, what questions might make you worry about the answers, what else you can work on to make things easier for you. Remember, feeling prepared will be of most help during the test, so use this as an incentive to practice more.
You can also imagine yourself in traffic during your driving test, executing the needed maneuvers correctly and getting to your destination safely. When you practice, pretend you’re taking the real test, and ask your accompanying driver to calmly point out any mistakes.

This mental rehearsal can help reduce stress and increase your chances of performing well.

6. Get a good night sleep before the driving test

This advice applies to any exam or event you want to prepare for. Lack of sleep or rest can affect your memory, your agility or your reflexes, as well as take an impact on your psychic state.

The day before the exam, make sure you are hydrated and well rested, to get into that calm and in control stance that you visualized. Feeling energized will help you react better to any challenges, should they occur.

Prioritize sleep and rest, and make sure to get a light meal or any beverage you might enjoy ( non alcoholic, obviously) before your driving test.

7. Staying focused during the test

During the test, it’s important to stay in the moment and focus on the task at hand. If you make a mistake, don’t get stuck on it— move on and concentrate on driving safely.

Remember, minor errors are usually not a reason to fail. The examiner is looking for consistent safe driving, not perfection, and he or she is there to make sure you will be safe in the traffic and you know how to handle most situations.

Take deep breaths when you need to and remember your practice lessons.

8. Post-test reflection

After the test, regardless of the outcome, take a moment to reflect on what went well and where you can improve.
If you didn’t pass, use this as an opportunity to learn and strengthen your skills. Remember, many people don’t pass on their first try, and that’s okay.

What matters is that you keep practicing what you did not know and stay positive.

In conclusion - you got this

A driving test can be a huge step, especially  if you have been looking forward to it for a long time. Thus, it can imply some degree of stress or anxiety, but there is nothing that you can’t practice or be prepared for.

As we advised above, there is no secret solution. But you can do plenty of things to make sure you have a positive mindset about the test, you are confident in your knowledge and your skills and you are aware that failing the test is not a tragedy.

Almost 43% of applicants don’t get it on their first try. However, with enough practice tests that are specific for your state and enough driving lessons that strengthen your abilities to use your car efficiently and safely, you are taking all the necessary steps to be the proud owner of a driver’s permit.