Common Mistakes on Driving Test

Are you about to take your driving test for the first time? If so, then you might be anxious about whether you’ll pass or not. Unfortunately, this nervousness can lead you to make mistakes. If you haven’t practised enough before your test or haven't studied the rules, you also are putting yourself in a bad position. A responsible driver remembers the road rules and takes regular driving lessons to pass their test.

Taking your driving license is a pivotal moment in life. It’s the gateway to your freedom and adult life. People who have practised enough can pass their test in one go. However, here are a couple of common mistakes new drivers make on their first attempt:

1. Not studying the road rules
   
   
   Not understanding the road rules properly can lead your testing official to cut points during your test. You need to learn the traffic and road rules of your region, and how you're required to respond to the actions of other road users in every situation.
   
   
   Make sure you learn all the traffic and road rules from your drive school. The more you know, the better you will be able to respond during your driving test. Remember, driving knowledge is as important as driving skills.
   
   
2. Surpassing or driving under the speed limit
   
   
   The speed limit is another factor one should need to keep in mind. Your officer may cut your points for going even slightly above the speed limit.
   
   
   You also should not drive under the speed limit. Surprisingly, learners make such mistakes. They get anxious, and in an attempt to avoid speeding, they drive under the limit. Try to relax, and follow the exact speed limit as going too slow or fast results in failing the test.
   
   
3. Not doing proper head checks
   
   
   You need to perform head or shoulder checks properly during the test. New drivers usually get confused over shoulder checks or sometimes cannot perform properly due to nerves. Turn your head and look in your mirrors to check your blind spot successfully. These checks include different situations like:
   
   
   Before leaving a parking spot,
   When proceeding onto a street,
   While moving to another lane on a street,
   While leaving a traffic circle or an expressway,
   Stopping at traffic lights or stop signs.
   
   
   Check your blind spot consistently, and remember to check your mirrors too. Check your back and side-view mirrors each for 5-8 seconds. Monitoring what's going on around you during your test will help you to stay away from basic slip-ups.
   
   
4. Neglecting to fully stop at stop signs or red lights
   
   
   Never neglect a stop sign and always make sure you come to a complete stop. This applies to traffic lights as well, as you must make sure your car is completely behind the line and you do not unsafely pass through orange lights. Neglecting signs and traffic lights may very well lead to failure in the test.
   
   
5. Not Practising Reverse Parking
   
   
   Reverse parking isn't always a part of the test; however, the testing official can add it at their discretion. This move can be troublesome; not able to perform it appropriately could result in losing points during the test. It is suggested to practice reverse parking until you realise you can perform it with no issues just in case it's a part of your test.
   
   
6. Nerves
   
   
   Nervousness clearly impacts your test performance. Sometimes, people forget how to start their car or forget to stop at a prescribed point. The pressure is more intense on people who haven't practised enough or take professional lessons. It is advisable that you find affordable driving schools and learn with an instructor so that you don’t feel nervous during the test. Those who have taken driving lessons from professionals are always more confident in their skills.

Conclusion

Passing a driving test is key to getting your license and driving your vehicle confidently. But some mistakes can ruin your chances. So, watch out for both the mistakes you are doing regularly and the commonly made errors learners make during their tests. Being aware of how to avoid them will put you in the best position possible to pass your test on the first attempt.