Preparing for a Driving Test
You’ve completed your driver’s education course. You know the importance of driving defensively. You’ve passed that milestone birthday. Now it’s time to take your driver’s test—but are you ready? Being prepared for a driving test is half the battle. Here are some tried-and-true ways to prepare for the big day—follow these suggestions and you’ll be sure to pass that driving test with flying colors!
Practice Your Basic Driving Skills
Practicing the driving skills the test administrator will ask you to do is the best way to be prepared for the big test day. If you are a minor, the minimum age and other requirements necessary to take a driving test vary state-by-state. In all states, practicing must be done with a licensed driver in the car with you and, if possible, you should always practice in the car you’ll be using to take the driving test.
- The predriving ritual. These steps may seem unimportant, but the driving test administrator will be checking to make sure you do all of them. Each time you get in the car, you must:
- Adjust the seat so that you’re in a comfortable position that makes it easy for you to reach the gas and brake pedals.
- Fasten your safety belt.
- Adjust the rearview mirror.
- Verify any “blind spots” in the car you’ll be driving.
- Check that the emergency brake is disengaged.
- Basic driving techniques. The driving test administrator will be looking for these techniques while you are driving. It’s best to begin driving in areas with light traffic so that you can concentrate on perfecting these skills:
- Hand position: Keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel.
- Signaling: Use your signals correctly when entering and through traffic.
- Mirrors: Correct use of mirrors when pulling into traffic, changing lanes, etc.
- Turns: Keep turns smooth and controlled; stay in the appropriate lane and yield to traffic appropriately.
- Stops: Smooth stops for road hazards, crosswalks, signs (stop, yield, etc.), and light changes.
- Changing lanes: Check your blind spot, signal, and maintain speed.
- Parallel parking. Drive to an empty parking lot or other location with a lot of open space where you can practice. Set up cones or use the lines on the parking lot to practice. Then, after you’ve mastered parallel parking in trial runs (to where you’re confident you won’t dent any fenders in the process), drive to where you can park in actual parking spots and practice there as well.
Common Sense Rules for the Road
Once you know the important, official state rules necessary to pass the written portion of your driving test, your job isn’t quite over. Driving is a skill that requires some common sense rules to keep in mind as well.
- Leave adequate space between you and the car ahead of you.
- Check your rearview mirror frequently.
- Get in the habit of “look left, then right, then left again” before you pull into an intersection or make a turn.
- Drive defensively: Assume the child you see on a bicycle is going to “break a traffic law” and slow down to allow yourself adequate time to avoid an accident, if necessary. Likewise, make sure that pedestrians see you; slow down so that you can safely keep your eye on them and the road.
At all times, try to know what is going on in front, on both sides, and behind you. Safe driving revolves around split-second decisions. Road factors can change in the blink of an eye.
Review the Driver’s Manual
Even if you’ve already passed the written portion of your driving test, it’s a good idea to refresh yourself on the official rules for the road. Although the person administering the test is technically only there to make sure you obey traffic laws and can drive safely, they may throw some questions at you while you drive.
The Day of the Test
Now that you feel confident behind the wheel and have brushed up on your driver’s manual, you are ready for the big test! There are a few things you need to do to prepare day of the driving test:
- Make sure that the vehicle you’ll be using for the driving test has passed all safety inspection standards.
- Clean the car, inside and out. If a smoker uses the car, empty any ashtrays and air the car out for a bit. Don’t rely on perfumes or air fresheners to mask that odor; nowadays, as many people are sensitive to fragrances as they are to cigarette smoke.
- Dress sensibly. Your goal for the day isn’t to make a fashion statement, it’s to show the person conducting the driving test that you’re dependable and ready to accept the responsibilities that go with a driver’s license.
- Bring proof of insurance for the car you are using for the driving test.
The driving test itself should only take about 15 to 20 minutes. The administrator will take you through the basic techniques—turns, stops, lane changes, backing up, etc.—and may even take you on the freeway.
Taking your driving test can be nerve-wracking if you’re not prepared, but if you practice and know the road rules, it should be a piece of cake!
