Passing your practical driving exam is a large milestone. Whether you’re taking the exam for the first time or repeating it, you want to be prepared for any eventuality. These tips will help ensure that your driving skills are as honed as possible before the test.

1. Practice More Than You Need To

You can apply for your provisional license when you are 15 years and 9 months of age, but you can’t hold a full license until you are 17 years old. This gives you 1 year and 3 months to practice as much as possible.

Ask your supervising adult to commit to a weekly practice schedule. If you practice at least 5 hours a week, you’ll have over 300 hours of driving practice under your belt when you finally take the exam.

2. Visit a Driving School

A proper driving instructor will help you prepare for your exam. Visit several driving schools in Romford and choose one that makes you feel comfortable. You want to find an instructor that stays calm behind the wheel and helps you feel confident in your driving abilities.

Take professional driving lessons at least a month while you hold your provisional license. As the date you’ve booked your exam for draws near, take more lessons. You might even book a lesson the day before the exam to make sure your skills are on point.

Driving schools can also help you prepare for your theory exam. Ask about study resources and mock tests that you can use to practice.

3. Exaggerate Your Observations

A good driver needs to pay attention to the road at all times. Many potential drivers are failed due to a lack of observation. Even if you swear that you were looking, the instructor may not have noticed. Exaggerate every observation so that your awareness is obvious.

• Perform mirror checks frequently; move your head so that the instructor can see you.
• Check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder.
• List your observations out loud: mirrors, street signs, road, blind spots. This will confirm your observations and help you mentally stay on track.

4. Learn the Nearby Roads

Select a test center with a high pass rate in an area near you. The driving instructor will assign your route when the exam begins. You don’t know where they will send you, but you can prepare yourself by practicing in the surrounding area.

Print and memorize a map of the district where the test centre is located. Learn street names and become familiar with major intersections. Conduct driving practice down these streets and get used to navigating the area without your map. You may even find a friend who lives in the area and ask them for the best places to grab a bite to eat; see if you can follow their directions without any additional navigation.

5. Drive in Unfamiliar Conditions

You shouldn’t try to pass your exam for the sake of passing; instead, you should try to prepare yourself for the various situations you might come across as an adult driver.

If you usually drive on residential streets, try a few practice sessions on the highway. Go down unfamiliar country roads, and pass through districts that you don’t tend to visit. Try to navigate using nothing more than a map; you won’t always have access to your smartphone.

You should also try to drive in unsavory weather conditions. You won’t always be able to avoid a rainstorm, so practice driving in one with your supervising adult. Drive at sunrise or sunset when the glare is in your eyes. Don’t put yourself in danger, but push your limits so that you are prepared for an emergency situation.

6. Take a Mock Driving Test

Your driving school may offer mock driving tests. If they do, take advantage of this service and schedule one a few weeks before your exam. If they don’t, ask an adult to help you prepare.

Don’t have your normal supervising adult conduct the mock exam. Have a family friend sit in the passenger seat and send you on the route of their choice. Follow proper form and act as if you are under the supervision of an actual examiner. When you finish, ask them to score you and give you advice.

Practice for your exam, but don’t stress yourself too much. A calm attitude will do wonders when it’s time to take the actual test.