7 Crucial Tips to Help You Pass Your Drive Test

Driving tests makes many people anxious and nervous even after many hours of practice and professional training. Some fail their test because of fear while others fail because of lack of preparation. However, there are some things every prospective driver should know before they take their test to improve their chances of succeeding. Here are seven crucial tips that will help you pass your driving test.

1. Prepare for the Test
Proper preparation and practice lead to outstanding results in any test and professional training is not enough to pass a driving test. You’ll need many hours of private practice as well. Drive different cars where possible and use different routes during your private practice.

The routes you choose should include those near your driving school where you are likely to take the test. You should also consider taking a mock test beforehand to make sure that everything is on point before you take your exam. Companies like Toptests offer mock tests online that can prepare you for a variety of situations. You can find more information about Toptests and their services at www.toptests.co.uk.

2. Sit Comfortably and Relax
Ensure that you are comfortable before you turn on the ignition key. Adjust the driver's seat where necessary. If you have an opportunity to choose a car for the test, choose one that you have driven before during your practice sessions. Take deep breaths just before the test to help you relax. You will make a lot of mistakes if you drive while feeling anxious.

3. Ask Questions
Interact with your examiner during the test and ask questions if you do not understand the instructions. Do not make any assumptions about the instructions. Ask for help if the car develops any mechanical problems that are beyond your training. Minor issues may be part of the test but if you cannot fix the problem, you need to ask for help before it leads to an accident.

4. Focus on the Road
You may be tempted to check your examiner’s reaction and notes at every turn. Keep your eyes on the road and on the mirrors. Concentrate on what is happening on the road. Mistakes happen when you take your eyes off the road. Your examiner can tell when your focus shifts as well.

5. Have a Positive Mindset
Believe that the hours of practice and training will pay off. Visualise yourself passing the test and getting your driving license even before you take the test. See yourself driving confidently through the worst terrains. Focus your mind on the freedom you will get to drive your dream car after passing the test.

6. Prepare for Anything
Anything can happen on the day you are taking the test. For instance, it can snow or rain heavily on that day. Drive under different weather conditions during your practice sessions to prepare for such extreme weather conditions. Learn to drive on slippery roads and deal with sudden obstructions on the road.

7. Avoid Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes that new drivers make is failing to check the mirrors sufficiently. Use the side and rear mirrors properly. Do not speed or use the wrong lanes near roundabouts. Observe the traffic before changing lanes and when taking turns at junctions. These are all simple mistakes that can be easily avoided but could cost you some important points if you commit them on the road.

Passing any test requires proper preparation and a positive mindset. Even if you feel supremely confident, never underestimate your driving test and spend several hours every week driving through different routes to sharpen your driving skills.

Ways To Help Your Teens Drive Safely At College #BeThereMoments

Today's conversation is sponsored by Michelin's Be There Moments campaign. 

Both of my daughters start their fall college classes in a few short weeks. This year, I have two student drivers that I panic  have great concern over. My older daughter has more experience under her belt, but my younger girl has very little. One of the things I have learned in my experience of being a mom to teen drivers is I need to try to worry less. I honestly don't know if that is really possible, but I try very hard.

Our girls are commuter students and make the drive back and forth to campus each day. I know they are already dreading the back-to-school traffic jams. They have to make sure to leave early enough each morning to secure a decent parking spot in the garage, as well as avoid getting stuck in traffic. I don't know what it is about a college campus that seems to make drivers really impatient (and crazy). I'm constantly telling my daughters to be mindful of their speed and allow enough space for sudden stops that they may have to make. Trust me, driving around a college campus means a whole lot of slamming on brakes will be happening daily. I've been on the road around the University during peak school hours and my nerves are usually shot.

This is why it is very important to have general safety checks before having them take the car back to school. We have a thorough inspection done on the brakes, tires, alignment, lights/signals, fluids and more. I think if you start with having peace of mind that the car is safe to drive, it helps your teens feel more secure. One of the biggest things I try to help the girls remember is that you have to keep a cool head when driving. Being one to get overly defensive about and angry over every little thing other drivers do that you don't agree with makes driving stressful. Calm and collected is the way to go.

Another thing we stress to the girls is not having distracting things that can obstruct your view from all angles. I know they love to show their school pride by sporting flags, decals, and other adornments, but this can backfire on you. If you can't see clearly, you are not going to have a safe driving experience. I know they get a tad annoyed with us, but we are all about safety first. Being cute doesn't matter if you're not being smart.

One more important thing to help your teens drive safely at college is to be sure they have an emergency kit packed in the trunk. Jumper cables, portable battery charger, and phone charger to name a few are helpful if your tire is low on air or the car won't start. The girls know that they should only use the phone in the car for emergencies. Calls can wait. Texts can wait. Both me and my husband try to be the best role models for all of our children and practice what we preach. We do not talk on the phone while driving. No matter how good of a driver you think you are, it is really easy to get distracted.

Ultimately, it is so important for parents with college students to instill values and the urgency of safety and following rules. Are you a parent of a college student or have a high school senior preparing for their next journey? You can share your stories or moments on social media using the #BeThereMoments hashtag and check out the stories on the Be There Moments website by Michelin.

College Commuter Student's Perspective

Today's conversation is sponsored by the Michelin 

There is so much to think about when you are preparing to send your young adult children to college. Whether they are out of the state, in-state or local, there is a lot of planning involved. Both of our daughters attend college locally at the University of South Carolina, and commute back and forth. It was a united family decision that they both live at home at least for the first two years of college. It has been about 3 years now since my older daughter, Chardonnay started at USC and it has worked out with the commuting aside from the complaints of early wake-up times, traffic, or simply feelings of 'not wanting to drive today'. I've shared those feelings of not wanting to drive for many years (carpool pick-ups/drop-offs, sports, after-school activities, and more).

I asked Chardonnay to give me her personal list of pros and cons of living on campus vs off and here is what she came up with.

Pros of living on campus:
• Easy access to everything on campus, easier to get involved
• Easier to make friends because you have roommate, suitemates, people on your hall
• You can wake up 30 minutes before class starts and still be on time
• Don’t have to deal with traffic

Cons of living on campus:
• Might not have a car, so you might feel as if you’re stuck on campus
• More expensive to live on campus (cost of housing, meal plan, etc.)
• Limited meal options because of meal plans
• Not much privacy
• Homesickness

Pros of living off campus:
• More privacy and independence (depending on where you live)
• Home-cooked meals

Cons of living off campus:
• Have to get up much earlier to get to campus on time
• You can feel disconnected from campus
• Not as easy to make friends
• Spend more on gas
• Feeling of missing out

As a parent, I think that being there for your new college student both emotionally and physically are key to helping them make that transition. There were so many adjustments to be made during the first full year. One of them is when you decide to let you student have their own car. I'm sure my daughter must have been sick to death of me nagging about driver safety. An 18 year-old may think they know everything, but they have so much to learn when it comes to being responsible for their own car.

My husband had to go through so many details in regards to fueling up the vehicle, when you need an oil change or service, and using common sense to determine if there might be an issue with the tires or brakes. She has experienced a couple of minor fender benders, but seems to finally have a handle on being cautious and responsible when behind the wheel of a car. She never gets a single mile over the recommended oil change time, and gets her tires checked regularly. I guess on the perks of living at home is she can get assistance right away if there is any issue with the car.

Are you a parent of a college student or have a high school senior preparing for their next journey? You can share your stories or moments on social media using the #BeThereMoments hashtag and check out the stories on the Be There Moments website by Michelin. As parents, it is so important for us to simply be there for our college kids, don't you think?