So you’re getting ready to take your driver’s exam for the first time, and you’re a little nervous? Of course you are; who wouldn’t be? But you can relax – a little. With these tips, and a little work, you’ll pass with flying colors and become a fully licensed driver in no time!
1. Hit the Books
That’s right, you will need to study. A couple things are in your favor, though. It’s just one little booklet, so memorizing it should be a piece of cake. Also, the vast majority of it is common knowledge.
Question: You come to a school zone. You should:
A: Speed up
B: Do a wicked burnout
C: Close your eyes and “just go”
D: Slow down to the appropriate speed limit.
Okay, maybe the questions aren’t that easy, but still. Common sense will get you pretty far.
2. Pay Attention
Outside of your class, and when you aren’t practicing behind the wheel, it would behoove you to watch what’s going on. Who gets the right of way? How early do people tend to signal? So often, we have a tendency to just kind of turn our brains off when we are a passenger. But every time you get into a car, it’s an opportunity to learn.
3. Relax
Think about it this way – how many millions of drivers are out there? What are the odds that they are all better than you? I bet that without trying, you can come up with a handful of people that make you think: “Well, if that guy got his license, I can too.”
In fact, one of the biggest reasons people fail their exam is because they are a big bundle of jangly nerves.
4. Practice Makes Perfect
There’s the minimum number of hours that your state will require for you to drive, sure. But that’s the minimum. If you really want to make sure you ace the exam, you should go above and beyond the minimum requirement. Have a parent, guardian, or older, licensed friend take you for some additional training time (adhere to the rules set forth by your local DMV, of course). Every hour counts, and goes a long, long way toward making you a safe, smart, confident driver.
5. Know what to Expect
It’s a driving test, right? You can be fairly certain that your written exam will deal with things like “stopping distance,” and “legal limits.” And the behind-the-wheel exam will probably have a curveball or two, so be ready. Driving instructors tend to take you through a school zone, or somewhere the speed limit fluctuates. React appropriately, that’s all they are looking for. Also practice parking – you’ll have to park the car before the test is over, and if you blow it there, all your hard work will be for naught.
6. Select the Right Course
Your education is only as good as the school you select. If you opt for some junky, hole-in-the-wall program you’re going to get a “bare-minimum” class. Will it help you pass your exam? Sure, maybe. Will it make you a better, safer driver? It’s possible .
But why leave it up to chance? Doesn’t it make sense to select a driving school with a 15-year track record and millions of satisfied customers?
