Whether learning to drive is a distant memory, or something you're doing right now, the thought of taking your driving test for the first time is enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. It's natural to be nervous when sitting next to a stony-faced examiner hoping your three point turns and mirror-signal-manoeuvre is up to scratch.
But there are few things better than the feeling of acing the exam, whether it's on your first try, or after a number of attempts. Now one driving instructor has explained the secret to sailing through first time.
Ashley, who has more than 40,000 followers on TikTok, where he is known as testready and regularly provides handy tips on passing your driving test, revealed the secret to success. He said: "Do you wanna pass your driving test on your very first try even if you're anxiety is through the roof? Then listen up.
"I'm Ashley, and passing first time when you're a nervous driver is totally possible if you do this one thing. You need to stop focusing on the idea of passing or failing.
"When you put that much pressure on the outcome your brain goes into overdrive, and that's when the silly mistakes happen. Instead, I want you to focus entirely on the process.
"Break the test down into tiny chunks. Focus on the next junction, the next roundabout, the next mirror check.
"Take it one minute at a time, and if you feel the panic rising, narrate what you're doing out loud. Say things like 'mirror, signal, manoeuvre'.
"It actually forces your brain to stay in the present moment. Instead of worrying about what the examiner's writing on their iPad, you're just going for a drive, you're showing someone that you're safe on the roads. You got this."
People shared their own experiences in the comments. One said: "Just failed my fourth test.
"I definitely wasn’t ready for the first three, but yesterday I think I just hadn’t defeated anxiety yet. I had four minors and my one major was stalling at the traffic lights because my car was in third gear - something I [would] have fixed in a normal lesson but I was too in my head.
"Now I genuinely feel confident and am looking at it as a skill that I just need to get quality checked rather than a personality trait or sign of adulthood. All the pressures of feeling 'less than' cause I still have a green licence were adding to my nerves."
Another wrote: "I did pass it first time... you don't need any fancy theories. Just try not to think about it, especially the night before.
"Go into it with an air of confidence of your own ability and most importantly just drive it like you would drive normally in a lesson for example. Treat that examiner like your instructor and be friendly."
Someone else wrote: "My son passed his driving test today, after hearing your advice." And a different user said: "Thank you for sharing these tips for new drivers, I wish they existed when I passed my test, would have been so helpful."
