How to Pass Your Driver’s Test

They say the best offense is a good defense, so preparing is the best way to pass your driver’s test.

Practice Driving

You need to log a certain number of practice hours with your learner’s permit, which is a good thing — it means gaining driving experience. Practice getting behind the wheel in empty parking lots first, then low-traffic streets, then high-traffic streets and highways. Make sure you drive during different weather conditions and times of day. If driving with a parent is too stressful, consider seeking out a professional driving instructor who can give you practice tests as well as driving test tips. Practice driving skills like three-point turns, using windshield wipers during rainy weather, and parallel parking.

Know Your Car

One of the most important aspects of learning to drive is being aware of all the parts of your car and how to operate them, including any safe driving tech for teens installed in the vehicle. You can’t drive well if you don’t understand how the car works.

Study the Laws

Of course, you should also study the rules of the road, as teen driving laws are different from those for drivers over the age of 18 or 21. For example, if you’re driving with a junior license, you may have a curfew or a limit on how many passengers you can transport at a time. Additionally, to pass your driving test with flying colors, you’ll need not only plenty of behind-the-wheel practice but also knowledge of road signs.

Know the Vehicle Requirements

Your brain isn’t the only thing you need to prepare for taking the driver’s test. Make sure your vehicle meets the following requirements:

• Is in clean condition
• Operates properly and safely, with working brakes, tires, seat belts, and so on
• Has valid registration and up-to-date inspection stickers

Before the big day, make sure you know exactly what the driving test will entail. That way, you can practice these skills specifically and show up at the test prepared.

What’s Tested

While each state/metropolitan statistical area may test slightly different actions (for example, a road test in a more urban area may include parallel parking, while a rural location may not), here are the most common actions you’ll need to master:

• Driving in reverse
• Nearing corners or intersections
• Parallel parking
• Sitting and steering properly
• Stopping at appropriate signs/smoothly
• Turning around
• Yielding to right-of-way

When it comes to driving tests, knowing what not to do is just as important as learning what to do.

Don’t Drive Distracted

Teen distracted driving is very common. In our research, we found that nine out of 10 people ages 18 to 24 talk on the phone while driving. Always drive free of distractions, which include not only electronic devices but also food, drinks, and passengers.

Immediately following your road test, the test examiner will let you know if you passed or failed. If you fail, they will let you know what you did well and what to improve upon. Typically, you can repeat the test a set amount of times within a certain time period without having to start the application process over. However, if you don’t pass within that time period or the allotted number of tests, you’ll have to reapply.³

If you passed, congratulations! You’ll receive an interim license and can drive home legally. Your new junior license will arrive in the mail within the next month.

Many people don’t pass their driver’s license tests the first time they take them, often due to silly mistakes like not fastening their seat belt or not checking mirrors, or more dangerous mistakes, like a sudden left-turn without looking for oncoming traffic. Another reason students sometimes fail is because they didn’t meet the vehicle requirements due to a broken headlight or outdated registration.⁴ If you fail the first time, know you’re not alone, and you’ll have other chances to pass.

If you’re ready to get on the road as a licensed driver, make sure you check out our recommendations for the best auto insurance for teens. Note that, due to your lack of driving experience, you’ll be charged higher car insurance rates, but these should decrease around age 25. You can keep premiums as low as possible by following the rules of the road and avoiding accidents, tickets, and points on your driving record.