Everyone gets driving test nerves at one time or another. It’s natural to be a little anxious when you’re about to take a test that could determine the course of your life. But there are ways to deal with those nerves and improve your chances of passing the test.
Here are six ways, including opting for driving test cancellations, which you may not have thought about. This might be because it is primarily the way we get to take our driving test sooner when we perhaps need to be able to drive to work for a new or first job.
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Sign-up for a Driving Test Cancellation
We can feel less nervous about a driving test for many reasons, one of those being if we opt for driving test cancellations that become available. This gives us less time to think about the test itself and not overthink the situation.
Someone else’s misfortune can be used to our advantage, although there are many reasons why people might cancel a driving test, to leave a sooner slot.
For example, a candidate might not feel as ready as you are at this point. You might be nervous, but you still feel ready, with your driving instructor also thinking the same.
Plenty of Sleep
Get plenty of sleep the night before. This will help you to be rested and alert for the driving test. If we do not feel rested, and so suitably relaxed as a result, then our driving test is going to seem all the harder.
Eat Well
Have a good breakfast. A nutritious meal will help you to concentrate and stay calm.
Foods that are considered good to eat before an exam, include:
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Salmon
- Spinach
- Sweet Potato
Research the brain foods online to understand more about them. We should use every means at our disposal if we want to pass our driving test. We will not feel so nervous about it if we feel prepared because we have had enough sleep and eaten the right foods in preparation.
Plenty of Practise
Practise, practise, practise. The more you drive, the more confident you’ll become behind the wheel.
It never pays not to have had enough driving lessons before a test. It is not cost-effective. Only put yourself on the driving test cancellation list when you are ready to pass. Listen to others who are professionally qualified and allow them to guide you towards the right time. Do not put pressure on yourself if you are just not feeling ready skill-wise or mentally.
Picture Success
Visualize success. Picture yourself driving confidently and passing the test. If you can put yourself in the position of having already been there and done it, then invariably when you are, it feels less daunting.
Relaxation Techniques
Take deep breaths and relax. This will help to lower your heart rate and keep you from getting too tense.
Here are some other relaxation techniques you could try:
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Visualization
- Guided Imagery
- Autogenic Training
Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that can be used to calm the body and mind. It involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body, starting with the feet and moving up to the head. This can help to relieve tension and anxiety. Here are a few steps to follow:
- Start by sitting or lying down in a comfortable position.
- Tighten the muscles in your feet, then relax them.
- Move on to your calves, tighten them and then relax.
- Tighten the muscles in your thighs, then relax them.
- Tighten the muscles in your stomach, then relax them.
- Tighten the muscles in your chest, then relax them.
- Tighten the muscles in your face, then relax them.
- Finally, tense and relax the muscles in your head and neck.
It is worth reading up on the relaxation techniques that might work for you and help you to pass your driving test. Some people have been known to try hypnosis. It can be the belief that we can achieve something that often wins the day. Nerves are hard to deal with but we always achieve more when we know how to control them and do not let them get in the way of thinking clearly and acting appropriately.
If you follow these tips, you’ll likely be well on your way to passing the driving test and getting your licence sooner rather than later.
