Top tips for passing your driving test
If you’re learning to drive and are nervous about taking your test, there are some great top tips to make sure you pass the first time.
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 30 January 2026 | 1 min read
If you’re learning to drive, taking your practical driving test can be a daunting, yet exciting experience.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to test day, with many of us having to take driving lessons with a qualified instructor to ensure you build up experience on the road and learn the basics of how a car operates.
So, if you’re about to take your driving test and are a bit nervous, there are many great tips on how you can walk away as a new driver with a pass certificate in your hand.
Conduct the test in your instructor’s car
When it comes to taking your driving test, a great tip is to take it in your driving instructor’s car.
This is because it’s the vehicle you will be most familiar with, from its clutch biting point, down to adjusting the seat.
Taking the driving test in a car you’ve got to know will make you feel more comfortable and confident behind the wheel, plus when it comes to the ‘Show me Tell me’ section of the test, you’ll know how everything operates and how to activate the basic controls of the car.
Search for used cars on Cazoo
Have a lesson before the test
Just before your driving test, it’s worth having one more lesson with your driving instructor as it allows you to practice certain parking manoeuvres, ask any last-minute questions you may have, and it will help calm your nerves.
Many driving schools will offer a two to three-hour lesson before your test as a way to prepare for the day - the more prepared you are, the higher chance you’ll have of passing your test.
Search for used cars on Cazoo
If you own your own car, get as much practice on the road as possible
If you’re lucky enough to own a car already, we’d recommend you go out and get as much practice as possible in it.
You’ll have to make sure you’re accompanied by someone who has held a full driving license for more than two years, and you won’t be able to drive on motorways, but getting out on the road in your own set of wheels is a great confidence-builder.
It’s important that you drive your car as much as you can as you’ll get to know quickly how all of its basic controls operate, and it gives you reassurance when you drive for the first time on your own, once you’ve passed your test.
Search for used cars on Cazoo
Get to know the test routes
Firstly, pick a test centre of your choice and then learn the driving test routes that it has to offer.
A typical test route will consist of town and rural areas, plus there will be a few parking manoeuvres thrown in to test your ability in controlling the vehicle in a safe manner.
A great piece of advice would be to ask your driving instructor to take you out and show you the different test routes, so you know exactly what roads you’ll be driving on.
This allows you to build up your confidence and familiarise yourself with the road layouts, junctions, road markings and the speed limits that you will encounter on your test.
Search for used cars on Cazoo
Exaggerate looking in those mirrors
One of the most well-known techniques in the British driving test is the ‘Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre’ routine.
A common driving fault in the driving test is a driver’s lack of observation from their mirrors, which is because they are not following the simple M-S-M technique.
Your examiner will be watching you to make sure you’re regularly checking your mirrors, and if you’re not, it could lead to a potential driving test failure.
We’d recommend to really exaggerate those mirror checks, so the examiner knows that you have excellent observation levels. Make sure you really move your head when checking your mirrors, as a quick glance at them may cause the examiner to think you haven’t observed them properly.
Search for used cars on Cazoo
Learn to drive in different conditions
Drive in as many road conditions as possible, as this is the ultimate way to build your confidence before your driving test.
Driving in the dark, rain, snow, ice, fog and even high winds will all affect how a vehicle will behave, so it’s important that you get out on the road and experience driving in as many different weather conditions.
This means that on the day of your test, if the weather takes a turn for the worst, you’ll have the experience to know how to control the car if you encounter slippery road surfaces or if visibility is reduced.
Search for used cars on Cazoo
Stay calm
Always stay calm and don’t panic. The driving test can be an overwhelming and nerve-wracking experience, so if you make a mistake out on the road, or you’re not sure what to do, just take a deep breath, ask the examiner and carry on.
If you fail the test, then simply re-book and continue to practice in your car and with your instructor until you feel ready to take the driving test again.
Search for used cars on Cazoo
