Driving is a necessity in life. From a young age, a lot of people want to have the ability to drive and it all starts with passing your driving test. Of course, you are bound to be nervous in the run up to the big day before you hit the road.

Driving test nerves can easily get the better of you and this might jeopardise your chance of passing the first time. The last thing that you want is for your nerves to take over and cause silly mistakes.

But don’t worry; there are some simple things you can do to calm down and make sure this doesn’t happen. Let’s take a look at how you can deal with your nerves on your driving test day.

So, how to calm your nerves before your driving test?

Take Lots of Driving Lessons

One of the best ways to beat driving test nerves is to feel confident and know your stuff. Of course, this is going to take a lot of practice and driving lessons. During your lessons, don’t be afraid to ask for help and assistance. This is what your driving instructor is there for. Be curious and ask questions if you’re unsure. If you find a manoeuvre more difficult, take some more time to work on it and perfect it before your driving test. You know what they say; practice makes perfect. So, when they ask for parallel parking or to head onto the roundabout, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Complete a Mock Test

Your driving instructor will normally talk you through what to expect on the big day. But why not get your instructor to show you? Ask them to take you through a mock test. A lot of people can beat their driving test nerves and feel more relaxed when they know the process. Although you may not know exactly what will happen in your real driving test, you can be prepared and feel more confident on the day.

Try Herbal Remedies

The worst thing you can do is let your nerves get the better of you. If you often get nervous for important events and tests, perhaps it’s time to try out some herbal remedies. This is often effective for people to feel more relaxed before a stressful situation. For example, Kalms and Rescue Remedy are popular choices. They are available in sprays, tablets and sweets. They are worth trying and may make the difference on the day of your driving test. Often, you have to take herbal remedies for a few weeks before they kick in. So, be sure to do this in the lead up to your driving test.

 
Put Down the Caffeine

A lot of people think that caffeine is going to give them the boost they need to pass their driving test. But it can actually make you more agitated and on edge. For some people, it may induce driving test nerves too. So, to be on the safe side, we’d say to put down the caffeine. You can swap it for some refreshing water to stay hydrated. You can even try a camomile tea, which is a popular herbal drink known for its calming qualities.

Have a Positive Attitude

You’ll be surprised how thinking positively can really help you to calm down. Naturally, when you think about bad things and what could happen, it can make you more nervous and it can even encourage those events to occur. So, why not think about all the good things that result when you pass your test? Remember that you have worked hard for this day and your instructor thinks that you are definitely good enough to pass. Try to feel confident and think positively to encourage good things to happen.

Switch Off Your Phone

Before your driving test, you want to have a clear head. You don’t want any distractions or any events to affect your head space. One of the best ways to ensure this doesn’t happen is by switching off your phone. People texting you and social media may not be helpful for your driving test preparation. So, switch off your mobile phone and put it away for now. You can get a break, concentrate on your test and it’ll still be there when you get back.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

We all know that seven or eight hours of sleep a night is essential for good health. But it can also help with concentration and preventing agitation too. This means you’re going to want a good night’s sleep before your driving test. Make a conscious effort to chill out before bed and head up earlier than normal. You can wake up in the morning feeling nice and refreshed; ready to pass your driving test.

Enjoy a Banana

Hear us out on this one. It’s always best to have a snack before your driving test. Full meals can make you feel tired; but a snack is a good way to enjoy some energy. So, you may think that the sugar in bananas can give you a lift and that is why they’re on this list. But actually, they also contain tryptophan. This is a type protein that can be very beneficial for you. It can be converted into serotonin, which is a hormone that can make you feel relaxed and happy. So, enjoying a banana as a snack before your test may help you to calm down and concentrate. It’s also important not to skip meals on the big day. You may be nervous and not want to eat, but this can affect your energy levels later on.

Do Not Tell Everyone When Your Test is

It’s normal that you want to tell people that you’re finally sitting your driving test. But this can be a bad idea. You may feel more pressure to pass first time and it can make you feel nervous on the day. You want to be calm and relaxed before your driving test; not have everyone asking you about it. So, the best way to feel more chilled out about the situation is to keep it a secret. Plus, when you pass, you can surprise everyone!

Exercise the Day Before

To take your mind off your driving test, there are some things you can do in the days before it. This includes exercise. You may not feel like hitting the gym or going for a run but it’s a good way to relax and feel good. Exercise releases good endorphins and this may be just what you need to calm down and forget about your driving test nerves. Give exercise a try and see how it makes you feel!

Arrive in Plenty of Time

You always want to make sure you arrive to the test centre in plenty of time. The last thing you want is to miss your driving test! If you’re rushing around and stressed about being late, this can transform into nerves during your test. You want to have time to relax at the test centre before you get into the car. But you also don’t want to be waiting too long. This may mean that you overthink what you’re about to do. We’d say that 15 minutes would be a good amount of time to be waiting. You want to be in a good mindset.

Try Deep Breathing Exercises

If you feel yourself getting nervous and your heart is racing, perhaps it’s time to try out some deep breathing exercise. This can take your mind off things and help you to relax and calm your driving test nerves. Start by taking a large breath and inhaling for five seconds. Once you have done this, exhale. Try this a few times and see how you feel. Try to focus on your breathing and not think about anything else. This can help you relax and get into the zone.