30 Oct 2022 | 4 mins

When it comes to our teenage years, getting your license is a highlight. Hopping in the driver’s seat, slapping your P plates on ya trusty stallion and blasting tunes while pulling up to school is the ultimate symbol of freedom.

However, you’ve got to rack up enough hours until you’re finally able to go for your Ps. I won’t lie, the test can be anxiety-inducing but just think about how many hours of screaming and shouting you had to endure when your parents were in the passenger seat. Bet that makes you want to really pass, huh?

While you’re under the pressure in the test (and you don't want to be the person who is stuck on their Ls forever), just remember these five tips.

 

1. Always, always, always check your blind spots

And make sure it’s obvious too. This includes pulling the side of the road even if you can clearly see nobody is there - for the love of god, just check your blind spot. Move your head when checking your mirrors and make sure your shoulder checks are visible. Your mantra heading into the exam should be ‘if in doubt, check my blind spots.’

2. Do a lesson with an instructor a week before or right before the test

Doing lessons with instructors are easy ways to rack up hours, but they’re pretty costly. So, if you want to maximise their value, book a lesson close to your actual driving test. This way, the instructor can tell you what needs to be cleaned up before heading into the real thing.

The most important tip about having a lesson with an instructor is asking them to show you the routes often used for the driving test - then practice it. Often, there are around five possible routes and while it’s a guessing game, it can put you at ease knowing you’ve familiarised the ins and outs of the suburb you're taking the test in.

3. Ignore what your examiner is doing

Your examiner will have a clipboard with a massive pile paper and it’s tempting to have a little peek at whatever they're scribbling on the page but do your best to ignore it. Like Troy Bolton said, get’cha head in the game. Focus on the test and not on the examiner.

4. Book your test strategically

By this, I mean be aware of the time. If your exam is in the morning, you have to be cautious of school zones and what time they start and end. If you're doing your test in the arvo, you might be hitting peak traffic as everyone heads home for the day. Your area might have road works happening or a high pedestrian activity zone which affects the speed limit. Take all this into consideration and try and avoid booking during these times so that you have one less thing to stress about.

5. Don’t feel like you need to talk to your examiner

The test isn’t about your confidence or ability to keep a conversation and the examiner will not be offended if you just keep your mouth closed the entire time. They just want you, them and the car to get back in one piece. Usually they'll start a conversation for the sake of putting you at ease, but it's totally fine to keep your answers brief - they know you're trying to concentrate.

Your Ps test isn't meant to be an easy cruise - after all, this is about making sure you're capable of driving in a safe manner so that when you're let loose on the roads by yourself, nothing will go wrong.

It’s a-okay to feel nervous but remember to keep your eyes on the road, look out for hidden stop signs and make sure you dramatise checking your blind spots. My friends say I’m the worst driver of the group, but hey, even I managed to pass first go. If I can do it, I've got faith in you. Catch ya on the road.