What Are the Benefits of Practice Driving Tests?

06 Oct What Are the Benefits of Practice Driving Tests?

Towards the end of your course of driving lessons, your instructor will gradually edge towards lessons that are more like driving tests. Your knowledge and skills will be scrutinised more closely, in order to see whether or not you are ready for your practical exam.

Even so, your driving school may (and should) offer practice driving tests as a separate service. With a practice driving test, the whole thing plays out in exactly the same way as a real driving test.

Far from a superfluous extra, practice driving tests can be beneficial in a variety of ways.

Examples of which include the following:

1. You learn the local driving test routes

The last thing you want is for the day of your test to arrive, only to be taken on a route you are completely unfamiliar with. By taking practice driving tests, you have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the local test routes in your area. This can make it so much easier to approach your test with confidence and to know exactly what kinds of driving conditions to anticipate.

2. It alleviates some of the stress and worry

It takes a good deal of mental stamina to drive for up to 40 minutes, knowing that your every move is being watched and noted. The more stressed and worried you are on the day of your test, the more difficult it will be to focus on your driving. Taking practice tests in advance is the best way to build the kind of mental stamina you need to get through your actual driving test; again, with no unpleasant surprises, having already experienced driving under strict test conditions.

3. You discover your strengths and weaknesses

After taking two or three practice driving tests, you will know exactly which aspects of driving you need to focus your attention on. There will be some things you are great at and can do flawlessly, without so much as a second thought. Elsewhere, there may be minor (or major) issues with some of your driving skills that need to be refined. Needless to say, it is so much better to discover these weak spots ahead of time, rather than waiting until the day of your test to find out.

4. No advice or input from your examiner

During a regular driving lesson, your instructor will give you regular pointers on what you should be doing; your position in your lane, advance warning regarding hazards, whether you need to speed up or slow down and so on.  During your driving test, your examiner will provide you with absolutely no advice or input whatsoever. They will simply tell you when to turn, when to perform any given manoeuvre and so on. The latter is therefore an entirely different experience, and is best practiced ahead of time.

5. It could save you money

Practice driving tests typically cost the same as a conventional driving lesson. You can ask your instructor to conduct one or more of your lessons under strict test conditions and to note any important areas for improvement.  This could save you significant sums of money, given that if you fail your driving test, you will need to book and pay for another. Driving tests are almost always much more expensive than conventional lessons and there may be a delay before you can book another practical test.

For more information on any of the above or to discuss any aspect of mock driving tests in more detail, contact a member of the team at Adams Driver Trainer today.