The ability to drive is an amazing privilege, and the day a person passes the driver’s license test is a huge milestone in a teen’s life. It is truly a day they will never forget. However, the days and weeks leading up to it are extremely stressful, but they don’t have to be. The driver’s test isn’t as hard and stressful as everyone makes it out to be, you just have to prepare correctly.
One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to go to the DMV where you plan on taking your test and familiarize yourself with the street names, and If there are school zones nearby. By doing this you will also be able to better understand the streets, and any possible hazards that you might come across the day of your test. If you do go and test drives around the DMV location then you will get a feel for the roads, like the speed limits, how other people tend to drive around in that area, and any turns that may be difficult.
Another way to help with your driver’s test is to watch the route video online. I watched the three test route videos on YouTube on a loop the week leading up to my test date. Depending on what kind of learner you are, these videos could be extremely helpful. Most route videos also have little side notes that tell you what the majority of students who fail do at certain parts of the test. If you pause to read those, it will help you immensely because if you happen to get that route then you’ll be prepared and avoid making the common mistake.
New driver Avani Catana (11) agreed and stated: “I watched a ton of videos before my test, and they helped me so much and made me feel a lot more prepared.”
Finally, don’t stress too much about it, because you can always try again. Remember to always do your traffic checks at every intersection, and there is no such thing as doing too many traffic checks. When you do them, make sure to exaggerate them and make it obvious you know what you’re doing so your proctor can see exactly what you are doing. Another common fatal mistake driving students make is speeding/not knowing the speed limit, especially in school zones. Although most signs say “25 mph” and “when children are present” or give a time frame, focus on those and check the time, or check the time before you start and the time local schools are released.
Good luck and drive safe!! You’re going to do great!
