15 Best Tips On How To Pass Your Driving Test First Time In The UK, Effortlessly And Effectively

A driving test is a highly important test for any individual in their life, as it determines how well you can handle yourself, and any given situation on the road. Going by the proverb "Not every day is a Sunday", it's safe to say that not every day is going to be the most suitable for driving on the road. Therefore, we are tested before we get to drive a car alone on the road.

Down below, we will be looking at a few tips on how to pass a driving test in the UK, in the best, and the most effective way possible.

Before that, let’s look at what anybody could expect from a practical driving test.

What To Expect From A Practical Driving Test?

Learning to drive is one thing, driving on the road in another thing, but going for a practical driving test is a completely different matter. This is especially a nightmare for those who are naturally nervous, and still difficult for most others as well, as we're under the scrutiny of experts in the area, and we're scared we will mess up. Therefore, it's always important to be prepared, and here are a few things you could expect from a practical driving test:

1. Eyesight Check-up

The first and foremost thing that would be done is a check-up of your eyesight. This involves you (or the person taking the test), having to read the number plate of a car, from 20 meters if it's a new style number plate; or from a distance of 20.5 meters, if it's an old-style number plate. Your test will not go ahead if you fail to do this.

2. Vehicular Safety Questions (Show Me And Tell Me)

This would be conducted in two parts, where you would first be asked the ‘tell me’ questions, and then, when you’re practically driving, you would be asked the ‘show me’ questions. Failing this would also stop your test.

3. Independent Driving Ability

This is the last part of the test, which takes 20 minutes, where you would be required to drive on your own, without anyone’s guidance or help. This also forms the most crucial part of the test.

4. General Driving Ability

You would be accompanied by the examiner in the test, who would be evaluating you, and simultaneously be giving you instructions on where to go, and which route to take. This test also doesn’t publish the driving routes, to retain the element of surprise, so that you would be exposed to different traffic conditions and roads.

5. Vehicle Reversing

Reversing your vehicle is a very important task as it determines your parking abilities, and also how you would be able to handle yourself in difficult and less than optimal circumstances (in case your path is obstructed). You would be asked to do any one of the following: parallel park at the side of the road, park in a bay or pull up on the right-hand side of the road and reverse for roughly 2 car lengths.

Tips To Pass A Practical Driving test in the UK

While attending your driving test may be daunting, here are a few expert tips to pass your driving test the first time:

1. Regular Practice

To begin with, always make sure that you have taken enough lessons, from the right instructor. Then, don’t just limit yourself to practicing with the instructor, but also keep practicing in another vehicle, whenever you get time, along with someone you trust to be the best driver. This would help with reducing your inhibitions and build your confidence.

2. Be The Master Of Your Vehicle

Being the master of one’s vehicle is key to the most effective and smooth driving. This helps with having the utmost control over your vehicle, which is the most important factor when it comes to driving.

3. Get Exposed To Different Driving Conditions

Not every road is perfect, and not every path is clear. There could be severe road undulations somewhere, and there could be a storm somewhere else. While these are the worst-case scenarios, the latter of which we would try our best to avoid, it’s just a referential parameter to making one understand the uncertainty of roads and driving conditions. Of course, then there’s also the fact that traffic could be difficult in some areas and could be almost negligent in others. Getting exposed to various such conditions could prove to aid you while driving, making you a much better driver.

4. Keep In Regular Touch With Road Rules And Conditions

These not only help you during your theory test, but also during your practical test, and later as well. These help you keep in touch with the ground realities, through which you could avoid any penalties, and even keep you prepared in some situations.

5. Always Keep An Eye On Your Mirrors

Your side mirrors form a very crucial part of your driving, as they provide you with information on what vehicles are beside or behind you, and how you should tackle with them. Your rear-view mirror, inside your car, is also important in such a situation. Keeping an eye on these mirrors, and making a practice of it, makes you the safest and most efficient driver.

6. Pay Attention To Road Signs

Road signs are very important, as they indicate to you of a situation or circumstance in front of you. You could be driving past a school area, or you could be driving by a hospital. You could also be driving through a one-way, or through a narrow road. By paying attention to road signs, you could be careful and prepared beforehand.

7. Keep An Eye On Speed Limits

Speed limits are very important to keep in mind, as they are based on many factors. Exceeding the speed limit of an area not only puts you in danger, but also puts others around you in danger. This could not only get you fined, but also could catastrophic, if not paid attention to.

8. Make Sure You’ve Had A Good Night’s Sleep

Since driving has the most to do with being able to see, clearly and being always aware of your surroundings, it’s important that you’ve had a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can make you feel drowsy, which could result in you making a mistake, and no matter how small the mistake may be, it’s not going to be a good sign, especially when having your driving test.

9. Take A Mock Driving Test

A mock driving test would not only expose you to the conditions that are prevalent during a driving test but would also help you prepare mentally and physically for your driving test. This would also immensely boost your confident levels, ahead of your driving test.

10. Know Your “Show Me, Tell Me” Questions

While only one question each, from “show me” and “tell me” would be asked, it’s always important to make sure that you’re prepared for all of them. This would help you identify and resolve any problems, early on, which wouldn’t then become a problem during your driving test.

There are fourteen “tell me” questions, while there are seven “show me” questions. The list is as follows:

Show Me questions

a) “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how to operate the horn?”

b) “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?”

c) “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?”

d) “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?”

e) “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?”

f) “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?”

g) “When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?”

Tell Me Questions

a) “Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.”

b) “Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.”

c) “Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.”

d) “Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.”

e) “Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and taillights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.”

f) “Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.”

g) “Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.”

h) “Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.”

i) “Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.”

j) “Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.”

k) “Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.”

l) “Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient coolant.”

m) “Open the bonnet and tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.”

Also Read: What to do if you put the wrong fuel in your car

11. Make Sure You Have All The Necessary Documents

Check and make sure that you have all the necessary documents with you, ahead of your driving test. The most important of this would include your theory pass test certificate and your provisional driving licence.

12. Keep Calm During Your Test, Don’t Panic

When under scrutiny, chances are that you mess up, therefore, it is important to maintain calm, and not to panic while taking your driving test.

13. Listen Well To The Examiner

The instructions that your examiner give you, and how well you stick to them also forms a part of your test, a very important one at that. Hence, make sure that you have your ears open all the time, and that you don’t miss a single instruction.

14. Get A Good Grip On Your Brake And Accelerator

The brake and the accelerator are two of the most important functions that you use, while driving a car. Your ease with using the brake gives the examiner an idea of how well you can avoid any unwanted situation. However, a brake is not always the ideal option, which is when the accelerator comes into place. Knowing well, when to use which one, forms the most important task.

15. Plan Your Test Only When Your Confident Levels Are At Their Best

As is the case with anything else in life, it is important to make sure that you’re confident enough of your driving, that you book your test only when your confidence levels are at their best. If they are not that good, then keep on practicing until you’re very confident, and only then book your test. There’s no hurry, whatsoever.

Fun Fact: There are many myths going on around what the right age is, to get a driver’s licence, and which gender is the most successful. Don’t pay heed to any of these, as anyone could get their licence if they know what they’re doing.

Frequently Asked Questions On Passing A Driving Test

A lot of people have a lot of questions when they are going for their driving test for the first time. Here are a few of those most frequently asked questions, and their relevant answers.

1. How To Pass Uk’s Driving Test?

As much as it may seem daunting, passing UK’s driving test is pretty simple. You would first need to clear your theory test, before you attend a practical driving test.

2. How To Pass Driving Test The First Time?

The above practical driving test tips would ensure that you pass your driving test the very first time with flying colours.

3. How Many Driving Lessons Does It Take To Learn And Pass A Driving Test?

There is no specific number of classes or driving lessons that you would require to pass your driving test. It just depends on how confident you get, and how soon you are able to book a test.

4. What If I Failed My Driving Test?

You can always rebook your driving test immediately; in case you fail. This time, you wouldn’t have to do the theory test, as you have already passed it.

5. Are There Fast Track Driving Tests?

Yes, there are. Given that it can take months to get your driving licence, you could always find a way to fast track your driving test in case you need it immediately. This can be done with the help of any third-party agents.

Conclusion

Overall, taking a driving test is a highly important task, as it is something that gives us permission to drive for the rest of our life. As a result, it’s always important to have a clear head, and an air of confidence around you, while going to give your test. Follow the above tips to pass a driving test, and you’re sure to pass.