| D-day is today. You cannot believe how nervous you | | | | make sure you not only look in the mirrors, turn your |
| are. You have butterflies in your stomach. You feel | | | | head a bit as you do so there is no doubt. There is |
| like you are so stressed that you are going to | | | | no need to "chat it up" with the examiner. |
| explode! You know that 50% or more of all drivers | | | | You will be making turns and stops like you would be |
| fail the driving test the first time they take it. Think | | | | expected to do in every day driving. Make sure your |
| about this. Why stress? Just because you get to | | | | stops are complete and you pay attention to traffic |
| drive with someone you do not know that will be | | | | signals. Be aware of the traffic around you. I know |
| watching your every move. Watching where you | | | | you are really concentrating on what the tester will |
| look, how you holed the wheel, the body position in | | | | ask you to do, but you need to show that you're |
| your seat and how you are wearing your seat belt. | | | | cautious and aware of all that is around you - |
| Then s/he marks everything on a sheet on a | | | | especially pedestrians. Do not speed, but do not drive |
| clipboard and mumbles "hmph" and "um hm" once in a | | | | too slow. If you drive to slow the examiner will |
| while. OMG! | | | | believe that you do not feel comfortable controlling |
| Hey, you can do this - no sweat! Aren't you glad that | | | | the car. |
| you are going to pass it the first time? How do I | | | | As an old cop I am always amazed at how |
| know? Because you are prepared! You already know | | | | "experienced drivers" do not know how to use a |
| what is going to happen in the test, so there will be | | | | 4-way stop. The rules are really simple: First come, |
| no surprises. | | | | first serve - otherwise the one on the right goes |
| This is the last thing that you need to do before you | | | | first. Should you experience a 4-way stop in your |
| can get your driver's license. The testing officer will | | | | test, remember this - even if you do everything |
| be with you every step of they way. S/he will likely | | | | right, when it is your turn to go the "experienced |
| not say much, but will tell you where to turn, when | | | | drivers" probably do not know what they are doing. |
| to stop, and the like. The examiner knows that you | | | | Parallel parking is not so bad. Yes, it is traditionally the |
| are nervous and it does not matter whether or not | | | | section of the highest failure rate during the test. All |
| you fail to them. Sure this makes you nervous, but if | | | | it takes is some good coaching and decent amount |
| you have read the driver's handbook and you studied | | | | of practice. You can work on it by setting up some |
| your notes and you even practiced taking this same | | | | cones or mops in buckets in an empty parking lot |
| test. By now, you had better be well prepared. | | | | after normal business hours. Keep on practicing until |
| Before you even start to drive, your examiner will | | | | you can do these with no hesitation at all. In some |
| conduct "an inspection" of your car and check the | | | | tests they may make you stop quickly, then back up |
| insurance and registration. They will check all the | | | | or maybe make a u-turn. Remember that the test is |
| outside lights, blinkers, and wipers. You had better | | | | not over until it is over. Do not get too relaxed |
| not have to come back because you did not check | | | | before you have parked correctly and the examiner |
| your car over carefully. This is the time to turn off | | | | says the test is over. |
| you phone or even better, hand it to a friend or | | | | In a matter of 20 minutes or less, your test will be |
| family member that brought you. There is no need | | | | over and you will have passed and now have your |
| for an added distraction in the car. | | | | brand new driver's license. Congratulations! You |
| As soon as the test starts, before you start the car, | | | | passed the first time! Celebrate your achievement |
| make sure your seat belt is on. Adjust the rear-view | | | | (not by getting drunk). |
| mirror, even if you do not need to. You are showing | | | | Whatever you do, remember that driving is a |
| that you are prepared by doing thins.Besides using | | | | privilege - not a right, and you have an awesome |
| your blinkers (as an old cop, we call the "turn signals") | | | | responsibility when you are operating a motor vehicle. |