Getting a license is probably the most important thing to us high-schoolers. It brings us one step closer to true freedom without dependence on parents, siblings, friends, etc. That’s why the thought of failing your drivers test seems like the end of the world. After failing not once, but twice before passing, I know a thing or two about surviving the test.
1. Be confident, but not too confident. If you act like you’re going to fail, you will. If you act as if you know everything, you’ll make a rookie mistake. You have to tell yourself you’re going to pass. If you’re feeling down about the test it will affect your driving. Keep calm and collected. Even if you’re shaky, try to act composed in front of the instructor (they can smell fear).
2. Don’t wing it. If you can’t execute a 90o back-in, don’t think the instructor will overlook it, they will still fail you. Practice is key. Why hope when you can know you’ll get it right?
3. Don’t stress. This is cliché advice, but it’s effective. Honestly, the test is nothing to be afraid of. It’s just over fifteen minutes, which means you only need to pretend you’re an amazing, responsible driver for a quarter of an hour.
To anyone taking the test soon—good luck. As long as you signal often, swivel your head as if you’re actually aware of your surroundings, and don’t forget the basics you’ll be fine. Also, if it’s any consolation, many people fail on the first try. Not passing the test does not mean you’re stupid and destined for failure. There are a lot of things worse than failing a road test, although it totally sucks at the time. But once your license is in your hands you’ll completely forget about how nervous you were before or how many times you failed.
One last tip from Breezes editor Sam Greenstein—vacuum out your car before you take the test. Otherwise you run the risk of the instructor not wanting to sit in your cat hair-