7 Reasons Why You Might Fail Your Driving Test (and How to Prepare)

Everybody wants to pass their driving test, but the reality is that most people fail. The first-time passing rate is even lower at 47%. It’s not a secret that most people who take their driving test fail it, and if you’ve just applied for your learners permit, then this might be the last thing you want to know. 

Knowing this information isn’t to discourage you from trying, but rather it will hopefully encourage you to prepare and do your best. So, to help you pass, we’re going over some of the reasons why people can potentially fail their WA learners test below, with seven common ones!

Not Enough Preparation

wa-learners-testThis is a common one as it’s not your learners permit test, and it doesn’t seem to matter if you’ve taken the time to study. The idea of taking another driving exam can be enough for some people who are already nervous. However, if you’re going into this without adequate preparation, then chances are high that you’ll fail. 

Not Reading the ‘Road to Solo Driving’ Handbook

The booklet that is given to learners permit test takers before the exam, also known as ‘Road to Solo Driving’, has all of the information you need for taking your driving exam. It’s not a lengthy read, and it will help prepare you for what lies ahead. This book covers topics such as taking care of your car, rules on the roadway, and how to handle situations like driving in bad weather.

Not Asking Enough Questions

One thing that you can do to prepare is to ask your driving instructor questions. They likely have a lot of experience and knowledge — so use it! Whether you’re unsure about the types of questions on your test or how to handle different scenarios while driving, please take advantage of their expertise by asking them as many relevant questions as possible.

Overconfidence

While you will want to feel confident, don’t overdo it. You will want to be sure that you’re committed and positive about taking the driving test so that you can do your best. However, if a part of you feels unsure or nervous, then make an effort to remember this doubt as motivation for doing well!

Not Enough Practice

At the end of the day, you need to know how to drive. Practising with your driving instructor is a great way to get good at it – but there are other ways too! For example, practice making turns and parallel parking in an empty parking lot or on a side street (wherever you can).

Taking the Test When You’re Not Ready

If you’re panicking about your learners test and want to make sure that it happens as soon as possible, then this might not be the best idea. This is because if you don’t feel confident in yourself or are too nervous, you will likely do poorly on the test, which would defeat its purpose!

Not Following Instructions

Finally, most people fail the WA learners test because they don’t follow instructions. This means that you need to make sure you know what’s expected of you and take time to read through all the information about your driving exam before taking it.