9 Top Driving Test Tips to Beat Anxiety and Pass

9 Top Driving Test Tips to Beat Anxiety and Pass [Updated for 2025]

It’s no secret that I have anxiety.

I’m pretty open about this as I want to share my story, I want to break the stigma on what anxiety really is.

So, I’m opening up today about passing my driving test with anxiety and being completely open about the highs and lows.

First I’m diving into my story, and then sharing my top 9 tips I have for others also going through trying to pass their driving test with anxiety.

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My Driving Test Story

When I first started my driving lessons I never thought I would be sitting here, telling the world that I’ve passed my practical driving test.

My first ever driving lesson was sprung upon me on Mothers Day 2016.

I had no idea it was coming as little bear (S) had got me it as part of my mother’s day gift.

I spoke about starting my lessons with S and said I would do it when I felt ready, but he surprised me with my first ever lesson.

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At first I was a little nervous and a bit angry because I wanted to do it on my own time and not be thrown in at the deep end.

But, after sitting in that driver’s seat, I was over the moon.

My first lesson went better than expected and I continued to have a further 6/7 lessons.

Then I took some time away due to money and other commitments and didn’t start again until May 2018.

Starting over

This time round I was way more nervous.

My anxiety was with me throughout and with every lesson came more anxiety.

By the end I was crying every lesson.

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I would sit in the car, sobbing my eyes out due to being very hard on myself and hating that my anxiety controlled me.

My driving instructor, Brian, was AMAZING!

He was the right amount of firm yet soft. When I cried he would console me, hug me and make me feel better.

Brian reminded me of my grandad to be honest and I think that’s what put me at ease.

I was the thing standing in my own way, my anxiety was stopping me from being confident and I knew that myself.

After the lessons I would go home and cry to my gran about how awful I was.

I felt like a terrible driver, but Brian did nothing but build me up.

I was lucky I got the right instructor

He constantly told me I was a good driver and to believe it, to believe in myself.

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Brian would praise my parallel parking, I was even told I did the best reverse parking he had seen in all his time teaching people to drive.

He would tell me how good a driver I was, that I did it with ease but it was my lack of confidence that was stopping me and I knew that myself.

So, How did I pass my Driving Test?

The truth is I didn’t pass the first time.

As much as I want to sit here and tell you all that I passed on my first go, that’s just not the case.

I did well and passed my theory first time, but I didn’t pass my practical until my 3rd try.

The first time I took the test, I was really upset.

The anniversary of my mum’s passing was on my mind, I couldn’t think straight and everything was going wrong in my personal life.

We were having the biggest streak of bad luck ever and I happened to let all of that plus my anxiety weigh on my mind.

I took the test and failed, I was a bag of nerves if truth be told and I was shaking the whole time.

The only good thing was that I didn’t fail on many things.

Just being too close to parked cars a few times and I mucked up my manoeuvre and it was an easy fix.

I was glad I gave it a go though, I was so proud that I managed to drive and not just pull over and cry.

So, I dusted myself off and booked my test for 2 weeks later.

The second Driving test

My second test was fast approaching, but then I got in a car accident which resulted in me breaking my ribs.

This shot my anxiety through the roof and I was scared to even step foot in a car after that.

I tried so hard to stay out of my head with it all and still give my 2nd test a go.

Again, I failed my test, but this time the woman who told me I failed said I wasn’t observing my right blind spot the whole time.

But I know I was.

I could understand failing on hesitation or not moving away from roundabouts properly because I felt that in myself.

But, you can’t argue with these people though.

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I was angry for failing on something I KNOW I actually did

I think what really got to me and upset me was the way she spoke to me.

Although I was upset about not passing, which I’m sure anyone would be, it was the way she spoke to me that got me as upset as I was.

Her whole attitude was “I’m above you” and “I hold all the power“.

It was awful having to sit there as she kept going on and on about how if I want to pass I have to change MY attitude and actually learn how to drive!

Like, what?!

I’m sorry, but how can I have an attitude when we don’t talk the whole time and I’m just driving.

Even when she was having a go at me I kept quiet because I was about to burst into tears.

I’m so angry that I didn’t speak up for myself because I should have. I should never have let her speak to me the way she did, but in that moment she was the one in power and I was a second away from breaking down in floods of tears.

But, I dusted myself off from that whole experience and tried not to let her put me off, even if I did get given her again.

The third Driving test

My third try came around on the 17th of September 2018.

I was SO nervous, I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t want to get that woman again, I didn’t want to fail just before my birthday. (My birthday is the 18th)

And the cherry on top? Being in a car accident!

On the 1st of September a woman drove into our car on a roundabout. This resulted in broken ribs on my left side.

A woman without insurance and a driving licence t-boned my other halfs car with myself, him and little bear in it.

The way the car hit into us, I took most of the impact as the car door was squashed into me. It was an awful crash and really shook me up.

But, I was determined not to re-schedule my test and oh boy am I glad I didn’t.

The final test

The morning of the test I made sure to take my anxiety medication and I tried to calm myself as much as possible.

I tried my best to get out of my head and ignore the fact I had broken ribs.

When I sat in the car and did my 1 hour drive beforehand, I had a terrible drive.

I know myself if I drove like I did in the first hour in the test, then I would have failed.

Going into my test I admitted defeat to myself and thought I would fail.

I did my test for around 30 minutes and at the end the man who assessed me said to me “I’m sorry to have to tell you” and then paused.

My heart was in my throat, I knew he was going to say “fail” to me and I could feel the tears coming.

But to my surprise, he said “you’ve passed, congratulations“.

I couldn’t help but cry, I sat and cried happy tears because I knew I wouldn’t have to go through any of that again.

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The feeling was euphoric

Passing my driving test was such a euphoric feeling. I can’t describe just how I felt but I was over the moon.

I came home and couldn’t contain my excitement, I had finally passed!

It was a feeling of relief if I’m honest, it was amazing. 

My Top 9 Driving Test Tips for Anxiety

Now that I’ve shared my own experience with taking the driving test with anxiety, here are some of my top tips for others in the same boat.

1: Believe in Yourself

It doesn’t matter how many tries it takes, all that matters is that you don’t get down on yourself about it.

Don’t give up!

Keep going and keep pushing yourself because you will do it.

It may feel hard and you may feel like you can’t but start by using positive affirmations every day.

Some of my personal favourites are:

• I can do this
• I am capable
• All I can do is try, try and try again
• I will be my own biggest cheerleader
• No matter what, I am still worthy and always will be

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2: Talk through your fears with your driving instructor

They will be able to talk you through what to expect, what the examiners are like and how to approach your hurdles.

Your driving instructor will have been through this many times before so they are the most educated on the situation.

It does help when they walk you through it a few times.

Ask them to take you on mock tests to help get you used to the vibe of a test.

3: Only go for your test when YOU feel ready

Don’t let anyone pressure you or rush you into taking your test.

You know you best and you know when you feel comfortable.

Sometimes those around us can feel like they are helping by pushing us to just take the test, but don’t realise it can make us even more anxious.

If you have someone like that in your life, explain to them that when you are ready you will.

Thank them for their encouragement but that what you need is just someone to listen and be there for you.

4: Go to the Dr if you need to

The Dr can help out with short time medication to help anxiety.

Chat to your Dr about how you feel about the test, how your anxiety is presenting itself and hopefully they can point you in the right direction for some help that will benefit you.

You could also look into herbal remedies as I’ve heard from a friend that they really helped her as she didn’t want to take any pills.

There are a lot on the market so make sure you are doing your research into them to find what would be best for you.

5: Cry if you need to

It may sound strange, but if you need to cry to release all the anxiety, then do so.

When I bottled it all up, I wasn’t the best at driving.

My anxiety and the pent up frustration would stop me from being able to drive to the best of my ability.

So, by letting my feelings out and allowing myself to cry really did help release some of that stress which resulted in me being able to focus on the task at hand.

6: Choose an instructor that’s right for you

Getting the wrong instructor can make the whole experience 10x worse.

There’s nothing like sitting in a car, learning to drive, when you don’t feel comfortable with the person who is teaching you or they just don’t click with you.

Let’s face it, it’s a stressful situation and when you’re in that type of setting, having someone you don’t feel comfortable with will make everything worse.

It is ok to change instructors if you want, you are under no obligation to stay with an instructor you do not like or feel isn’t right for you.

7: Remember that when it’s your time, it’s your time

Don’t rush yourself, take your time and study up on the theory and practical test.

Try to soak up as much information as you can. 

There is no sense in rushing it all if that’s not what works for you.

When it’s your time, it’s your time and you will know.

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8: Get out in a car in-between lessons if you can

I know that’s not easy for everyone, I know I couldn’t do it all the time and only got out every few weeks, if that.

But if you have that option, take it!

Practice makes perfect and it means you are getting a feel for the road more. 

The more time you spend in a car, the better because it will help you in the long run.

9: Have fun

I know it’s not a situation to have fun in, but just breathe.

Don’t let it make you sick like I did on my first go, you can always resit the test.

It’s important to just breathe and let yourself calm down.

There is no use in getting so stressed out. Trust me, I’ve been there!

Find something that makes the experience a positive one for you.

Maybe find yourself a lucky coin or a perfume/aftershave that you use when you go out on lessons.

Find something that makes the experience a positive one for you.

Final thoughts on tips for passing your driving test

And that’s my driving test story plus my top 9 driving test tips for anxiety.

I’m so proud of myself now.

All in all I had about 14/15 lessons and only got out in the car a handful of times, so if I can do it, you can do it as well!

It’s not an easy thing to do with anxiety, I know that first hand.

But, it’s definitely worth a try.

It’s always good to try and if it’s not for you, it’s not for you, but at least you’ll know you gave it a go.

My tips won’t work for everyone and there will be people out there who have more tips than this. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned during lessons and taking the test myself.

It’s all stuff I wish I knew the first time round so I didn’t get myself as worked up as I did. 

Good luck and I hope you pass your test!

If you have, leave a comment so I can celebrate with you.

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