Once you reach a certain age, getting a driver’s license becomes more of a necessity than a desire. However, getting a license isn’t as simple as you would think. While you might be able to drive pretty well, passing the various tests required to get a license need a little more effort. Here are some tips that can help you with that.
Begin with theory!
Just like with learning anything else, you need to begin with theory in driving as well. The best way to do it is to take a driver’s ed course. Such a course helps you understand the basics of driving and makes you ready for the next step. Unless and until you are done with this, you cannot start your ‘behind the wheel’ training. Pay good attention to this aspect to be able to succeed in the others.
Focus on the basics.
While an ed course will teach you the basics theoretically, you will actually experience it only once you start driving. Now though your main test is going to be pretty complex, this isn’t the stage to focus on that. Don’t get too bewildered by the idea of what you are supposed to do and what you can actually do now. It is just your beginning. You will slowly progress to the required level. However, this will happen only if you have focused on the basics while you are in the beginning stage. If you aren’t sure how to change gears the day before your test, it won’t work.
Make the laws your primary habit.
Following minor details of laws shouldn’t be left for the final day. The day you sit behind the wheel for the first time, make it a point to begin following every law applicable. If you work this way, your primary driving habits would be directed by the rules and then there is no way you would make a mistake on your test day.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
The more you practice, the better driver your become. And it is not just about practicing on-road driving. You also need to practice the things you will need to perform with your driving on the test day. Go online and understand the exact pattern to be followed by you. Try following it in empty areas and see if you are able to succeed. Try and sharpen your skills from every nook and corner.
Driver’s License written test tips
Passing the written phase of the driver’s license test is not that difficult a task. However, as the human nature is, we most often fail at the simplest of the things. Failing at the driver’s license written test means that your license will get a few months delayed as well as you will lose some money. That is why, it is necessary to take care of the following few things to ensure that you clear the exam.
Read. Remember. Repeat.
The written tests for driver’s license are basically all about the traffic laws of the state. You need to know the meaning of various sign boards, know the basic rules, etc. Most of the people appearing for tests are usually familiar with these laws. However, you can surely not know them all. If you end up getting a bunch of questions that you don’t know about, you might end up failing the test. Thus, always make sure that you have made yourself familiar with the common laws and you remember them. You can access some study guides online for the same as well.
Practice makes perfect!
Practicing always helps improve results in anything and everything. Same goes with your driver’s license written test. You can find a bunch of online mock tests. Once you are done reading the study material, take at least 2 to 3 mock tests before going in for your final round. This will help you review your knowledge. If you find yourself scoring low on all your mock attempts, you can take some time to re-read the study material.
No stress means good results.
Stress can really ruin your performance in any and every aspect of life. Same goes with your driver’s license exam. If you are stressed, you might end up making extremely silly and basic errors. That is why it best to relax yourself first before going for the test in order to ensure that you are able to do your best. A good way to ensure no stress is to prepare for the test the previous day so that you aren’t rushing through the material an hour or two before the test.
Prepare yourself for the day.
Though the exam is not very difficult, but depending on your city, you might have to wait in a line for 2-3 hours before you get to the test room. This can be exhausting and can also impact your performance. That is why, take good rest the previous night. Be sure to have a good cup of coffee in the morning before you leave. Carry some water with you and if you find it necessary, also carry some energy drink or energy bar with you to consume before the test.
Where to Get Free Online Driving Test?
Clearing the written test component of driver’s license can be an intimidating job. Though it just requires you to know the traffic laws and rules and regulations of your state well, if you aren’t well prepared, you might end up losing quite a few dollars. That’s why it is always necessary to take some online practice tests before you go for the final test.
Now there are a lot of premium or paid tests available online. But there are plenty of good free online driving tests as well that are just as good. Here is a list of some of them that you might find to be helpful.
1. Driving Tests by The Elegant E-Learning Network.
This is a pretty neat, elegant and functional website that helps you to prepare for your driving test. On the home page, you can select the state you belong to. The website will then take you to the test page. Here you can find a lot of different mock tests with different levels of difficulty. The website also provides you with free handbooks to prepare for the test.
2. usdriving.net
This website also has a list of the states following which you can access a lot of practice tests. Here, you can find topic specific tests, i.e., the test would cover laws and regulations related to one specific aspect only. Next to the test button, you can also find an option to read about the topic. Apart from that, you can also access a lot of mock tests with mixed questions on the website.
3. DMV Permit Test
On this website, you can choose the state you belong to in order to access a test relevant to your area. Once that is done, you will find some 20 different mock tests that have a pattern similar to the final test you are supposed to give. At the end of it, you will get your score and a verdict of pass or fail. A premium version of the website is also available that provides you with extra study material.
4. DrivingTests101.com
This website provides you with quite a lot of resources including tests for your driving license. They also have Android and iOS apps for the same. They provide free practice tests for a lot of different countries including USA, Canada, Jamaica, etc. For each country, there are state-specific tests as well. The questions are all based on the official provided by the state. Apart from the tests, you can also find a lot of reading material in their section of knowledge resources, libraries, articles, etc.
Practicing with the help of some of these websites will definitely make a big difference on your final performance.
Tips to pass the road test
With some efforts, you can pass your driver’s license written test in the first try. However, things are not that simple when it comes to the road test. You need some more efforts and a lot more proficiency to be able to clear the road test in the first go. This is because driving is a pretty big responsibility. Add to it the pressure of proving your skills to the government, and you have a pretty stressful situation read for yourself. Thankfully, there are some tips and tricks that can help you with the process.
Go through a professional training course.
While your friends or family members can teach you the basics of driving, it always makes more sense to learn from a professional. Think of it as your parent teaching you math versus a teacher at school teaching you the same thing. Makes a different, right? Same goes for driving. Learning from a professional always helps you learn better quickly and easily.
Know the rules.
There is a reason why the written test comes before the road test in driving. You need to know the rules before you start driving. That is why, always work in this order of learning the rules first and then going behind the wheel. Keep this is mind while preparing for the written test as well. You need to remember the rules that you learn there also at the time of your road test to be success at it.
Make some good habits.
Putting your seatbelt on from the first day you sit behind the wheel will make it a habit for you. Following rules right from the beginning of your training will help you formulate habits out of them that will not only help you pass the road test easily, but also make you a safer and better driver.
Practice as much as you can.
Make the most of your professional instructor by practicing a lot having him/ her by your side. Practice all the basic and complex skills you need to pass the road test as many times as you can. Make use of empty parking lots to learn parallel parking, learn making smaller turns on broad roads. Keep on increasing the complexity for yourself to the level that the test tasks seem like play to you.
Be ready on the test day.
On the day of the test, go with a calm and composed mind. Take good rest the night before your road test. Don’t get overly critical of your skills on that day. Be confident and trust your skills and abilities to help you be successful in the road test.
