How to Not Be Nervous when Taking a Road Test

Co-authored by Simon Miyerov

Last Updated: January 10, 2023 References

Taking the road test to get your driver’s license can be extremely nerve-racking. While it might be easy to develop nervousness over something so important, you’ll be more successful with a calm and confident mindset. But how do you rid yourself of all that anxiety? Prepare with study and practice, calm down with a new frame of mind, and listen and take it easy during your test in order to push those nerves aside.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing for the Road Test

1
Study thoroughly in advance. Familiarize yourself with all of the information in the books that were given to you and notes that you took while taking any required classes.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor
Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.} Read through and memorize rules, road sign symbols, and other information that will be necessary to know during your test.^{[2]
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Research source} This will take a little of the nervousness away because you’ll be mentally prepared to pass the test.
2
Practice driving as much as possible. Take advantage of having your learner’s permit and drive with someone as much as you can. Think about what they might ask you to do on the test, such as parallel parking, and practice executing those techniques. Have the person riding in the car with you grade you on your driving skills and learn from their constructive criticism.^{[3]
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- Practice driving in the car that you will take your test in. You want to be very familiar with this vehicle so that you are comfortable during the actual test. Make sure you know all of the controls and safety features as well.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Simon Miyerov
  Driving Instructor
  Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.}
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3
Schedule your test early in the day. If you schedule your test early in the day instead of in the afternoon or evening, you’ll have less time to obsess about it and overthink everything. Otherwise, your anxiety might build up throughout the day and throw you off. Scheduling your road test earlier in the day may make the test easier because of lower traffic.
4
Be organized. Well beforehand, make sure you have all of the documents together that you’ll need on the day of your road test. This might include your permit, your insurance, and a form of identification. Having these things all in one place and ready to go prevents you from becoming flustered moments before your test while you’re digging through your bag to find a required document.
5
Eat well and eat enough. It’s especially important that you’re eating right the day before and the morning of your test. Don’t skip any meals and stay away from excessive amounts of sugar, because sugar might make you jittery or lethargic.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor
Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.}
- Consider bringing a banana to the DMV for a quick, healthy, energetic snack that’ll help you focus during your test.^{[6]
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6
Lay off the caffeine. You might want to load up on coffee before your test, especially if you had trouble sleeping the night before. Unreasonable amounts of caffeine will only make you more agitated and on edge. Instead, stay hydrated with water and calm yourself with a camomile tea.^{[7]
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7
Get to the DMV early. Especially if you’re already on the verge of being nervous, running late will probably extinguish any chance you have at a calm and confident mindset. Leave your home with plenty of time to get to the DMV, and once you’re there and waiting, read a book, watch TV, or check social media on your phone to distract your mind.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Staying Positive

1
Ask for support from close friends and family. When the road test is quickly approaching, it might be a good idea to confide in one or two people that you trust. They might give you advice, help you stick to a studying schedule, and boost your confidence by reminding you of your abilities.
- Resist confiding in too many people. This might increase the pressure to do well because you’ll feel obligated to tell so many people the outcome.^{[9]
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2
Practice calming and deep breathing exercises. Try inhaling deeply for five seconds and then exhaling slowly. You may be able to relax your body by squeezing your hand into a fist, relaxing your hand, and then imagining your whole body relaxed. These types of exercises can quickly dial back your nerves.
3
Practice positive self-talk. Repeat positive statements to yourself over and over, and you might start to believe them. Affirmations will help you to recognize that you have the power to pass the road test.
- Consider saying one or more of these positive statements to yourself: “I am relaxed,” “I am prepared,” and “I have the skills that I need to pass my test.”^{[10]
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4
Try to look at the bigger picture. Your road test may seem extremely important, but it’s really just a small piece of your life. Take a moment to recognize some of the major issues in the world, such as poverty, and tell yourself not to sweat the small stuff. After all, you will be able to retake the test if it doesn’t go the way you want it to.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking the Road Test

1
Listen to instructions carefully and be polite. Whether or not the examiner is friendly and polite, you should be. Make sure that you greet them kindly and ask any questions you have about instructions after they’re given.
2
Think of the examiner as looking out for you. Remind yourself that your test instructor is a human just like everyone else. It doesn’t make them happy to see people fail, and they only want to ensure your safety and the safety of others. If you see them as helpful rather than as someone to be intimidated by, it'll help ease your nerves.^{[12]
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- If you feel comfortable, ask the examiner if they have any last-minute tips before the exam begins. They want to see you succeed and could provide some helpful information.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Simon Miyerov
  Driving Instructor
  Expert Interview. 4 December 2020.}
3
Take your time. Think before you act. Don’t let your nervousness encourage fast decision-making. Acting too quickly may increase your chances of skipping something important. Also, driving above the speed limit is a big no-no during a road test. Slow and steady wins the race.^{[14]
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Warnings

Don't play the radio because it may distract you and make it seem like you aren’t taking the test seriously.

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