As exciting as it is to get your driver’s license, there’s one thing you have to do first: pass the test. For some people, this sends a wave of anxiety through their bodies, especially for those who don’t consider themselves that good at test-taking. You can take all the practice tests you want, but it still won’t take the pressure off from that one (hopefully) final test before you get your license. Not to mention, you also need to pass the behind-the-wheel portion of your test after the written part. It’s stressful, but it’s necessary to go through if you desire the independence and freedom that only a driver’s license can give.
No one can guarantee that you’ll pass the driver’s license test, but with the right amount of dedication you can go in feeling prepared and ready to ace it. These are some tips to ensure you go in feeling confident and ready to make the dream of having your driver’s license a reality!
Study The DMV Driving Guidelines
Whether you look online or have a physical copy of the book, knowing the rules of the road is vital not only to pass the test but also to be a safe driver. Rules and regulations vary from state to state and can sometimes change, so make sure you refer to the most updated version.
The content can certainly be dry and not the most interesting to read through, so tackle it a few pages each day. Spreading out the information over the course of a couple of weeks will make it a lot easier to take in and you’ll likely retain more of the valuable things to know. Trying to get through the entire handbook in a day or two is a surefire way to make silly mistakes on your test that can add up, putting you at risk to fail. Additionally, you’ll come to realize that a lot of the information is common sense—it is more about understanding why you operate the car in a certain way. When you can piece the “why” with the actions you take, you’ll have a much deeper understanding of how to drive safely.
Take A Course
Some states require new drivers to take a driver’s ed course and some don’t. To date, there are thirty-one states that require you to complete a driver’s education course before you can get your license. For example, in Colorado, you’ll only need to go through driver’s ed if you’re between 15 to 21 years old.
If your state doesn’t require you to complete driver’s ed, you may want to take one anyway. It ensures you’re learning the most updated and accurate information available. Taking a driver’s ed course shows insurance companies that you’re a safer driver, and this could in turn lower your insurance rates.
This may sound inconvenient, but it doesn’t have to be. Taking driver’s education online allows you to go through lessons when it’s most convenient for you. So you don’t need to spend weekends in a classroom or change activities in your calendar.
Different schools also give different online experiences. If you’re the type who learns best through reading and gets distracted by a lot of videos and graphics, a course from First Time Driver may work for you. If you prefer lessons with a sense of humor, you can check out MyImprov. If you want highly interactive courses, DriverEdToGo or Aceable may be more to your taste.
That’s the thing about online driving schools – regardless of your preference, you’re bound to find one that matches it.
Presently, 16 states allow you to complete driver’s education online.
Test Your Knowledge
There are several ways you can do this.
If you’re attending an in-person driver’s education course, you can go to your state DMV’s website and search for practice tests. If you’re leaning towards taking it online, this becomes even easier.
Several online driving schools offer add-ons when you purchase a course. Although some charge an additional fee for this, others, like MyImprov, automatically include 50 practice questions upon purchasing a program. They only require you to pay extra if you want to increase the number of practice questions to a hundred.
Other schools offer permit prep courses, which are designed to help you prepare for the DMV exam. It may cost you a little more, but it can be worth the investment. If budget is a concern, browsing the web may lead you to sites that allow you to do this at no cost, such as Free DMV Practice Tests.
Regardless of how you do it, doing a knowledge check allows you to assess whether there are areas that need more focus. At the very least, it boosts your confidence in preparation for exam day.
Get Familiar with Your Car
Being familiar with the car you’re using for your driving test is an advantage. This way, when the examiner asks you to do something – whether it has something to do with the signal lights or the windshield wipers – you won’t be grasping around, trying to find the right switch to flick.
Different cars also respond differently, so it’s good to know how yours react when you step on the gas or the brakes. This ensures that you’ll be able to speed up or slow down appropriately during your driving exam.
Practice Behind The Wheel
Reading through the DMV Guidelines and completing a driver’s ed course gives you the knowledge you need, but there is a significant difference between what you know and being able to do it in real life. By putting the things you’ve learned in the book into practice on the road, they will become even more ingrained in your memory, making it way easier to answer all the questions correctly on your test.
Have one of your parents, a guardian, or other adults you trust to help you get more comfortable behind the wheel. The best way to start is in an empty parking lot so you don’t have to deal with other drivers right away. Once you feel okay driving around, then you can take the car to the road to adjust to regular driving there. Remember to practice driving in inclement weather and at night!
A traditional driver’s ed course would require you to get many hours behind the wheel; in fact, it’s not uncommon for courses to require at least 40 hours of driving. When you’re completing an online driver’s ed course, you’re left to your own devices and the DMV is trusting that you’re getting in the recommended hours as a driver. You might be tempted to skimp here and just get right to the testing part, but use your time practicing to reinforce what you’ve learned from the book.