How To Pass Your Driving Test

So I passed my driving test. First time with one minor.

I'm just as shocked as you.

I think my exact words to the examiner on finding out were 'No! Shut up.'

Now the thing is, learning to drive is not an easy nor a cheap thing to do, so passing was incredibly overwhelming. Once I was back home, I convinced myself that I somehow got lucky. I wasn't actually ready to drive on my own, I can't drive on my own, I'm never going to do it. I got very nervous about it.  I basically just didn't want to go in my car. But then I was like, Nah, gal, snap out of it, If you put it off for too long, you'll get too nervous about it, and that will make it worse.

And so I went out, for a short ten-minute drive and since then my confidence has spiked and I enjoy driving a lot. Not too much of course. You still got to be safe guys. The roads are dangerous.

Anyway if you watch my video on learning to drive you would understand that it has been a long, stressful (and expensive process) so like I said earlier, passing was a very big deal to me. I was more excited that I wouldn't have to fork out any more money on driving lessons than anything else, but then again they do say having a car and driving is one of the most expensive things. So bye bye Amelia's ASOS deliveries. She has priorities now.

Anyone who plans to drive at some point in their life will have to take a driving test, and it honestly does seem like the scariest thing in the world, worst than going to the dentist may I ad, and you try to root your brain for some hidden answers to how you can pass your driving test but not actually take the test, well I hate to tell you, it's not actually possible. But it's ok, it actually will be ok. This is coming from someone who cried at the beginning of their test and SOMEHOW passed. No joke. Real story. Comment if you want me to do a video on it.

So, I'm going to give you guys the advice I wanted before I took my test, in order to help you pass your test.

• Chew gum- Gum works for some people, helps them concentrate, helps them focus and fortunately I'm one of those people. When my driving instructor popped some chewing gum out of her handbag I looked at her like she was Father Christmas coming down the chimney. Thank you, Kim. Thank you.
• Talk to yourself- If it helps. Talk to yourself. I said to my examiner that I might talk to my self and I think it was a good thing because it gave us a bit of a banter and helped my confidence. For example as I was coming towards a round about, I literally said to my self- mirror, indicate, position, slow down, gear, assess, one more look, go. And it helped me to avoid getting flustered and maybe it might have even helped because the examiner could see that I knew what I was doing. At the end of the day, they don't expect you to be perfect (I was certainly not perfect) But they expect you to have the initiative to be able to be safe, tackle situations on your own, and be independent. 
• Be friendly to the examiner- I mean if they don't like you, they might not want to pass you. You don't know that for a fact, but don't get on their wrong side, just incase. Have your license ready, give them a smile, maybe talk to them now and then. (Don't get too distracted though)
• Pretend your confident even if you're not - when my instructor told me we were going to do a left reverse, I smiled as if it was my favourite thing in the world....Lol. Also the day before and day of the test I took Kalms, a natural remedy that is supposed to calm you. Apparently, Rescue remedy works well. Just make sure you take it a couple days before to check it doesn't make you drowsy. I have no clue if it worked, but I ended up passing.
• Don't worry if you do something a little wrong- In the independent driving test, I accidentally took us on our own little route, but I was aware of that and apologized. 
• Remember it's not the end of the world if you fail- You'd rather be on the roads safe and able to drive than not safe and potentially cause an accident. There's not rush.

Anyway, this is a meaty post so I'm going to stop here. Let me know your driving test experiences and any tips down below.

Speak soon

-A,x