The driving test, like any test, can feel scary for different reasons. It can be difficult to figure out how to calm your nerves before a driving test if you don't actually know what's causing you to feel nervous.
The hardest part of passing a driving test isn't remembering to signal, doing head checks, or reverse parking. No, the hardest part is dealing with the nerves of driving a car while having your every move monitored by an examiner, and knowing that a few mistakes could cause you to fail your test.
You will face many potentially dangerous obstacles during the test, so with a combination of anxiety, nerves and stress (all while you're sitting next to the examiner) it's certainly not easy for anyone. People fail for a multitude of reasons, and passing requires experience and practice, hard work and determination.
Analysis of more than three million driving test results shows a Friday in March is the worst time to take your driving test. March has the highest number of failures and is the busiest month to take a driving test.
Between 9am and 11am is generally a decent time to take a driving test because it's outside of rush hour and avoids the traffic increase in the run-up to lunchtime.
The exact times may vary depending on location, but generally average 8 to 9AM in the morning, in the afternoon around 2.30 to 3.30PM, and then 5PM to around 6PM. If you can, try to book your driving test on a day with good weather.
When it comes to pass rates, we've noticed a significant variation between males and females, with males having a 53.4 per cent average between April 2020 to March 2021 per-attempt pass rate compared to 48.6 per cent for females.
Of course, there is a lot more involved now when it comes to passing your test – but what do the pass rates say? Well between 1985-1995 the pass rate was 50%. These days, between 2018-2020 the pass rate is… 46%.
That suggests that most people find driving consistently to test standard difficult, but that it does become easier the more you work at it. Once you've got some mileage behind you, most people find that driving becomes almost second nature.
Eat and drink well
Don't drink energy drinks or coffee before a test as caffeine can heighten your nerves. Bananas are a great choice as they're full of vitamin B and contain tryptophan, the 'happy hormone', which helps in calming your nerves and keeping your mood uplifted.
Get some sleep
Don't put too much pressure on going to bed early the night before your driving test because if you're not tired, you won't get to sleep and that will only make you more nervous. Do something relaxing like taking a bath or reading a book (yes, a book) before you go to bed.
The Ballincollig test centre in Cork had a pass rate of 75% last year — the highest in the country. Carnmore in Galway was next highest, at nearly 68%. Three other centres had rates above 64%: one in Birr, Co Offaly; Clifden, Co Galway; and O'Loughlin Gaels in Kilkenny.
Just like with global passport power, the UK takes the crown with the most powerful (most transferable) driving licence in the world!
Germany was ranked highest by international respondents for having the best drivers, so it's not surprising that this country was low on the list of worst drivers, with only 2 percent of international respondents perceiving German drivers as failing behind the wheel.
The average learner needs 20 hours of practice to pass the driving test, in addition to 45 hours of driving lessons. This is only an average though and shouldn't be something you feel you have to compare yourself to.
But you should remember, you're not alone in this. In fact, 47.6% of learner drivers pass on their second attempt, so you've got nothing to worry about. Keep your head up, keep focused and give it another go.
Pass mark. You'll pass your driving test if you make: no more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called 'minors') no serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called 'majors')
The Vehicle On Road Test will test your skills and knowledge as a safe and competent driver. It may take up to 45 minutes to complete all elements of your test.
The Driving Test is approximately 30-45 Minutes duration. Examiners who conduct the test are required to assess your driving skills, ability to drive safely, make good decisions and minimize risk of accident. There are usually 3 or more test routes at each test location.
If you fail a second time you can try again in eight days. Which gives you time to get a few more lessons in and shake off the nerves. If you fail three or more times you have to wait 29 days between tests. If this happens then you're going to need that time to fix up the mistakes that catch you out.