Finally completed those driving lessons? Here are some useful tips to pass your practical test!

1. Confidence – Feel confident about yourself and have faith in your driving skills even though you may be nervous. Testers are experienced and seasoned enough to be able to sense the slightest bit of confidence and panic in candidate. No tester would want to pass an unconfident driver on the road.

2. Be Calm – During the test, there is no greater obstacle other than yourself. Staying calm during the test will allow you to remember the techniques you have learnt from your driving instructor, and also allow you to maneuver the car more comfortably.

3. Be Presentable -This goes without saying, be friendly and courteous to your tester. Make him feel at ease as a passenger in your car, no tester will want to fail a person that he has a good impression of.

4. Warm Ups – Book a Warm-Up session with your instructor before the test. This is the final chance for revision of your driving techniques, and it prepares you both mentally and physically for the test ahead.

5. Blind Spots – Blind spots are often the “silent killer” of most driving tests. Candidates often lose unnecessary points for not checking blind spots whilst making turns or reversing. Prove to the tester that you are a cautious driver by checking your blind spots regularly.

6. Play It Safe – Remember that during the test, you will be sharing the road with other motorists; some of them may tend to be aggressive or impatient drivers. To make sure that you are not on the losing end of a traffic situation, always give way to them and make the necessary signals early.

7. Kerbs – Hitting/Mounting the kerb is the most common cause of failing a driving test. As you should know by now, hitting the kerb earns you 10 demerit points, whilst mounting the kerb earns you an immediately failure. Do not take risks if you feel that your vehicle is too close to a kerb. Make the necessary adjustments before proceeding on.

8. Test Dates/Timings – Choose a test date which the timings do not clash with heavy traffic and where you feel most alert and comfortable during the day. The extent of traffic on a road can often determine how smooth your driving test goes. Examples of timings with heavy traffic: Weekday Morning and Evening Rush Hours, Friday Muslim Prayer Hours.

9. Be Positive – Alleviate yourself from all unnecessary pressure before the test. Think positive thoughts and visualize yourself pasting the P-Plate (Triangle) on your car’s windscreens. Refrain from telling all your friends/family members about your upcoming driving test as it only adds on to the pressure to pass and makes you feel more disappointed if you fail. Be positive!

10. Never give up – This is by far the most important tip you’ll be reading. We have heard encounters whereby students have gone from 20+ demerit points (fail) to 18 demerit points (pass). Testers have the right to give grace points at the end of the test, so don’t give up even when you those points chalking up on the tablet during your test!