{"id":67,"date":"2019-10-07T09:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T08:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.ingenie.com\/parents-guide\/?p=67"},"modified":"2019-10-07T11:55:17","modified_gmt":"2019-10-07T10:55:17","slug":"preparing-for-the-driving-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ingenie.com\/parents-guide\/preparing-for-the-driving-test","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for the driving test"},"content":{"rendered":"

I hardly need to say that this is a stressful situation. Unlike exams, which hold a blurry idea of distant necessity, the driving test is what stands between your child and something they desperately, desperately want: freedom.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The idea of failing can whip a learner up into a frenzy of nerves (I know, I've just lived it<\/a><\/strong>) but there are a few things you can do to help them calm down and do their best.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Know the process<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

    Half the fear is the dread of the unknown. So many people fail first time and then pass the second time because they know what\u2019s going to happen and can mentally prepare for it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    To try and get a bit of that mental preparation going on the first time round, make sure you and your child know exactly what\u2019s involved with every part of the test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    Get a run-down of what happens during the practical driving test<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n

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    Get the test routes down<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

    This is a very personal tip: I failed my first driving test because in the last minute I stopped at a green light, waiting for a green arrow. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened if I\u2019d driven the test route enough times and got more used to seeing this type of traffic light.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    The test routes will be very familiar to your child\u2019s driving instructor, so get the details and make sure you cover them in your private practice. An already stressed brain isn't great at making rational decisions, so being comfortable with all the road systems and that one odd roundabout that doesn't follow the rules will reduce the risk of failing for something silly.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n

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    Try not to add to the pressure<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

    If you've been paying for lessons, you\u2019re probably very keen for the test to go well. However, it\u2019s your job to lower the pressure, not add to it. It\u2019s hard to drive well when you feel like you\u2019ll be letting everyone down if you mess up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    Just keep in mind that your child will pass if they\u2019re ready. If they don\u2019t pass, they weren't quite ready - and you wouldn't want them driving by themselves if they weren't going to be safe.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n

    Some driving test mantras to repeat:<\/h2>\r\n