As an experienced driver, we should all remember how nervous and anxious we were when we took our test. So, it is worth bearing that in mind when the time comes for your child to take theirs.
Moreover, as a parent, you’ll probably be experiencing the mix of pride and fear that will inevitably arise should your child pass it and suddenly be allowed to let loose on the road.
For this reason, it is worth ensuring they are as prepared for the examination as possible to give them every chance of passing the first time.
With that in mind, here are eight things you or your child should know before taking their driving test. The more clued up about them you and they are, the better.
1. Driving Skills
Before taking their driving test, you and your child need to be confident that they know the basic skills that are required to pass.
These include staying in control of the car, being aware of and obeying speed limits and traffic signs and practising defensive driving techniques.
It should also take into account their vehicle position on the road, ability to anticipate and read various traffic scenarios and how regularly they check their mirrors.
Moreover, driving skills should also take into account manoeuvres like reverse parking, three point turns and emergency stopping, all of which are critical elements they will get tested on.
2. Know they are ready
Even though your child may know the driving skills required to pass their test, it doesn’t mean they are ready to take it just yet.
So, before they apply for their test both you, your child and their driving instructor should agree that they are ready for it.
As a parent, it is easy to be too harsh on children and not think they are capable of doing something when they, in fact, are. For this reason, you should trust the judgement of the driving instructor, who is, after all, a professional.
They also have a reputation and pass success rate to uphold, so they won’t want to put anyone forward for a test who might not be ready.
3. Car you will be driving in
It is a good idea for your child to have a thorough understanding of the car they will be tested in.
The last thing they will want to experience is the panic of not knowing how to indicate in the right direction, turn on the hazard lights or how hard they need to press on the brakes due to these functions being different to the vehicle they did most of their learning in.
4. Test Route
Before your test, it is a good idea to make your child aware of the route they are likely to drive during their test.
While it will be difficult to fully replicate the exact test route they will have to go on in their driving examination, you should get a fair idea of it by the location of where you will be taking your test.
Wherever your child is due to take their test, in the weeks before it, make sure they do plenty of driving in the area – at the time their test is due to take place. This way, they can familiarise themselves with different road and weather conditions they might face.
5. What Questions You Might Be Asked
One of the most important parts of any driving test is the ‘Show Me, Tell Me’, questions you will be asked by the examination.
Unfortunately, you won’t know exactly what your child will be quizzed on. However, you can get a feel for the questions by checking out guides like the one above.
6. Highway Code
As well as your driving skills, it is important that your child is aware of the Highway Code.
Therefore, one of the best ways for them to prepare for their driving test is to develop a deep knowledge of it.
This should include finer points like the national speed limit, what double lines in the centre of the road mean and when you can and can’t use bus lanes.
Ultimately, knowing your highway code will go a long way towards helping your child pass their driving test.
7. Why People Fail
Apparently, the average pass rate for a UK driving test is less than 50%. So, before your child takes their driving test, it is a good idea to know some of the most common reasons why people fail.
By identifying these major causes, you will be able to practice on those elements to ensure you have them down pat.
8. It’s alright to fail
Lastly, your child should know that it’s alright to fail their driving test.
As mentioned, almost 50% of people fail a driving test at any given time. Therefore, if you take away their fear of failure, they are more likely to pass their examination at the first time of asking.
