Boom Boom, yeah… I passed.

So, have you guessed what this post is about yet? As you may have gleaned, I did indeed pass my driving test. WOOOO HOOOOOOO! Was a bag of nerves all day, but the moment I got in the car, I became strangely calm. I managed to pass my driving test despite old ladies, couple of school kids and a lone dog conspiring to step out in front of my car at the most inopportune moments during the test itself. Thank God, I did it!

Why does passing this test feel so important to me? Probably because I started driving in India and had picked up a lot of bad habits as per the European standards. Well, now I have managed to eliminate those and adapt myself to the European standards.

I had a bit of freak out about the whole thing this morning as I was convinced that I would fail again by only one bad mark! But thankfully, that wasn't the case. I did manage to rack up five mistakes but they were all in Grade 2 (minor ones), and nothing too serious, more down to nerves than anything. I did have a bit of a brain melt with the questions at the start, was somewhat slow and took a moment to figure out where the back window demister switch was, though I was pointing straight at it.

I believe it was not just my motoring skills that enabled me to acquire a European licence. I couldn’t have done it without God’s grace. Now I need to drive without acquiring penalty points. A huge thanks to Anju my wife who kept encouraging me and my instructor Stephen Norton of Alert Motoring School without whose patient training and instruction, I would have failed.

Now I can drive on the motorways, hire a car in foreign parts and generally cause mayhem on the road.... :)

I have some tips for those who are about to take a test:

1. Don't rush it. Get as much practice as you can and only apply for your test when you feel confident that you are safe. If you're worried about the theory test, ask friends and family to test you to familiarise yourself with the questions and have a go at the probable test questions on rules of the road, and go through the road signs a couple of times.
2. Book the first available driving test of the day (Unless you indicate that you are available to take a cancelled slot). If you take your test early in the morning you will have less time to worry about it.
3. Don’t tell your friends the test date. If everyone knows you are going for the test, you create the additional stress of trying to live up to your friends expectations. It's OK to let your parents know, I am sure they will give you all the support you need.
4. Don’t listen to ‘horror stories’. There are many stories about failed tests. Some may even be true. Just concentrate on your performance.
5. Get the timing right. Take the test at the right time. Try to book the test so it does not coincide with other stressful events (just prior to school exams or in the middle of wedding preparations etc).
6. Go to the right test centre. No good going to a test centre were your friends have all failed. This will only lose you confidence. Go to the centre were they all pass! (Kidding..)
7. In your last two lessons, ask your instructor to concentrate on the manoeuvres you find most difficult.
8. Do a practice run or a ‘Mock Test’. The instructor should be very realistic and the student must take it reasonably serious. (I wanted to do one with Stephen, but he was all booked up so I didn’t get a chance at it).
9. Practice in your head It's been proven that you can improve your ability to perform coordinated tasks by imagining doing them.
10. Examiners are only human. Your test is one of possibly eight on the examiners sheet that day. Don’t try to please him/her.
11. You do not need to be perfect. Concentrate on the essentials. If you make a mistake, keep calm and concentrate on your driving. The mistake may not result in failure.
12. Don’t worry about silence in the car. It can be daunting sitting beside a stranger, who seems to just grunt: 'turn right, turn left'. Avoid thinking the examiner doesn’t like you. If there is a little chit-chat, be happy, but don’t expect it.
13. You will pass. Both instructor and pupil must be convinced that the result will be a pass. An attitude ‘lets have a go at it’ may produce a pass, but is exhausting on the nerves.
14. Don’t take pills to calm your nerves. This only slows your reaction and performance.
15. Get a good night's sleep before the test.

12 THINGS TO DO ON THE DAY OF YOUR TEST

1. Think positively. As soon as you get up in the morning, tell yourself that you are going to get through the day calmly.
2. Make sure you eat a good breakfast. Even though you may be nervous and have lost your appetite eating breakfast is very important. Research has shown that your brain needs food to concentrate, so give yourself some food for thought!
3. Dress comfortably Make yourself feel good.
4. Arrive in plenty of time You should be present in the test centre at least ten minutes before the appointed time of your test. If you are late the test will be cancelled, and the fee will be forfeited.
5. Drink Water just before you enter the test centre - but not much. Just enough to relax. Drinking water helps you relax and provides oxygen to the brain. This helps you stay focused. But don’t drink too much of water or you might feel the need to make use of the toilet.
6. Just before the test Relax by taking a few slow deep breaths. Clench and then relax your muscles to relieve tension.
7. Remember that some nervousness is normal and that it can improve your performance.
8. Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions Act on them in good time, and ask for them to be repeated if necessary.
9. Give the examiner a beautifully smooth drive, one that both of you can enjoy. The examiner just wants to see what you would normally do - nothing that you do not already know.
10. If you make a decision that you think could be misjudged by the examiner, explain your reasons while you drive.
11. If you come across a new situation Hold back and assess it carefully before you decide to proceed - and be prepared to change your decision if necessary.
12. Say your prayers if you believe in God.

Do everything you can to get to the highest standard possible before going in to take your test – extra lessons, lots of practice and time spent reading the road as a passenger will all help you raise your game and feel more confident about your test.

By the evening before your test your instructor will have taught you all he can and believe you’re ready to pass. You are ready to pass. All you need to do is believe in yourself and by this time tomorrow you’ll be the proud owner of your very own driving licence! All the time, money and stress will have been worth it.

If I could do it -then anyone could do it. I remember Renjith, Aswin, Aloshi and Chinnan holding on to their lives when I started to drive back in India. :)