tips to pass your road test

Some of you may think a road test can be very complex and frustrating. However, there are some tips on how you can pass a road test, or at least get a good score.

·      Show signals for all turns. Whether it's going forward or backward.

·      Keep speeds at the posted speed limits. There is no fault for going a couple of miles over the limit.

·      Take your time when going parallel parking, hill parking, or three-point turns. Examiners do not penalize you for time, as long as you observe the road carefully.

·      when doing a three-point turn going backwards, look both ways first before you begin to back up.

·      Use the parking brake when parking. When parking on a hill, use the Neutral setting and steer to the left with a curb going up, or right for a curb doing down or a hill without a curb.

·      if you see an approaching red light or stop sign, be prepared to brake gently to begin slowing down. Smooth stops count in the road test.

·      when making a sharp turn up ahead be prepared to slow down, make the turn and       resume your normal speed.

1. To boost your memory

Use mental associations by making lists and creating visual associations. For example for every road rule attach a visual picture to it, e.g. a mental 'snapshot' of a scene where the rule has been applied. And for every traffic sign imagine you taking the right action.

2. Repetition is the key

On test day you'll really appreciate all the work you put in going over G1 information and practicing your maneuvers again and again.

3. Study with a friend

Studies show that people learn faster with a study buddy, so team up with a friend and test each other with questions and tricky scenarios.

4. Observe other people driving

Not for tips (as people with licence's may have a few bad driving habits), but to test yourself on real-life scenarios so you can think about what you would have done if you'd been in the driving seat.

5. Use relaxation techniques

Everyone worries that their minds will go blank in a test, so if you start to panic, focus on your breathing (most of us forget to breathe when we're nervous or scared). Take three slow deep breaths – this will calm the body, lower adrenaline levels and relax any tense muscles.

6. Don't pile on the pressure

Keep the tests in perspective. It's not the end of the world if you do something wrong or even fail. You can take them again.

7. Deal with stress

Don't let stress drive you. If you feel panic creeping over you, slow down, take a deep breath, tell yourself you can do it and simply focus on the road ahead.

8. Get a good night's sleep before your tests

Being tired can really affect your memory recall and driving.

9. Listen hard

Focus on what the examiner says and don't be afraid to ask them to repeat an instruction if you're unsure of what they mean.

10. Think positively at all times

How we think directly affects our behavior, so picture yourself driving smoothly and confidently. Remember, thousands of people across the world pass their driving test every day – you can too!

Dealing with pressure

One of the more stressful parts of being a new driver is the warnings your family will throw your way as you leave the house before each journey.
From cautions about speeding to advice about limiting passengers, you could well find that far from having more freedom as a fully fledged driver, the issue of driving becomes a battlefield.
Here's how to deal with it.

Understand why they want you to be careful

Six out of ten parents say safety is their top concern for their kids. They are worried not because you're a bad driver, but because with 207,000 injury accidents and 4.24 million insurance (including fire and theft) claims each year, they have reason to be worried.

Don't give them something to worry about

Getting speeding tickets, staying out too late, and driving with a posse of friends in the car will not encourage your parents to trust you. If you want them to relax, prove they shouldn't worry as much by sticking to agreed rules.

Try not to be defensive

Accept the facts: it's their job to worry about you. It's perfectly normal for them to be nervous when you first get your license. The best way to deal with it is to take it easy – so when your mum's clinging to the dashboard and telling you to slow down, then just slow down and be cool about it – even if YOU don't think you were going too fast.

If you start yelling like a child, then your parents are going to treat you like one. Showing them respect, following their rules, and driving safely is the way to prove to them that you're mature enough to be behind the wheel.

Show them they have nothing to fear

Drive them around as much as possible so they can see that you're a trustworthy and sensible driver and deserve to have a license