Expert Tips to Pass Your Driving Test in 2025

You've crammed for your permit test and spent countless hours practicing your driving skills with your parents. Now it's time for the hard part: the driving test. The driving test instills fear in most teens. Learn how you can pass your driving test with this handy guide.

How to Pass Your Driving Test the First Time

It’s totally normal to feel nervous—many students don’t pass on their first try, simply because of test-day jitters or missing a key skill.

Take Texas, for example: in 2022, 40,922 people took the drivers testDefault Files Documents Driverlicense Psc Docs 2022 07.pdf Sites. Of those, 33,379 passed—but 7,543 didn’t, meaning about 1 in 5 failed. It happens! But it also shows how important it is to feel ready before you walk into the DMV.

The more you practice, the better your chances. Let’s make sure you’ve got all the core skills down.

✅ Skills the Driving Exam Tests You On

Most state exams assess a range of driving skills. While specifics can vary, mastering these core areas will set you up for success.

✔️ Pre-Drive ChecklistTrending What Bring Texas Driving Test Driversed.com

Before hitting the road, ensure you're familiar with your vehicle's controls: parking brake, windshield wipers, hazard lights, headlights, turn signals, defroster, horn, and brakes.

✔️ Parking Lot DrivingTrending Lets Go Practice Driving In A Parking Lot Driversed.com

Practice navigating parking lots by following signs, stopping at designated lines, executing two- or three-point turns, and parallel parking if required.

✔️ Navigating IntersectionsTrending Intersections You A Guide For New Drivers Driversed.com

Understand how to approach intersections safely, including obeying stop signs, yielding appropriately, and being cautious with traffic signals.

✔️ Residential, Business & Rural DrivingDriving Information City Rural And Freeway Driving Driversed.com

Adapt to different driving environments by adjusting your speed, maintaining safe following distances, and staying aware of your surroundings.

✔️ Entering or Backing Along a CurbDriving Information Driving Techniques Parallel Parking Driversed.com

Demonstrate your ability to pull up smoothly to a curb without hitting it and back up safely, maintaining control and awareness.

✔️ Lane ChangesTrending How Change Lanes Merge Driversed.com

Execute lane changes confidently by signaling, checking mirrors, monitoring blind spots, and merging smoothly.

✔️ Left and Right TurnsDriving Information Driving Techniques Making Right And Left Turns Driversed.com

Master turning techniques by signaling appropriately, coming to complete stops when required, and turning into the correct lane.

💡 Tip: Perfection isn't the goal—demonstrating safe and controlled driving is key.

Common Mistakes Made on the Drivers Test

Don't make these common mistakes if you want to pass on your first try:

1. Improper stopping — There are multiple ways to fail due to stopping improperly. Come to a full stop at any stop sign and count to three in your head just to be safe. When stopping at an intersection, don't pass the limit line or stop in a crosswalk.

2. Incorrect lane changing —  When it comes time to change lanesDriving Information Driving Techniques Changing Lanes Driversed.com, look over your shoulder to confirm there aren't any cars in the other lane before moving over. Don't forget to use your turn signal, either.

3. Driving too fast or slow — It should be common sense not to speed, especially while your driving instructor is in the car, but people still manage to do it. Don't drive too slow, either. It shows you aren't confident in what you're doing. Always stay within 5 mph of the posted limits.

4. Obeying all signs and signals — If you fail to yield, or ignore road signs Driving Information Signs Signals And Markings Traffic Signs Driversed.comfor bike lanes, railroad crossings, or anything else, you'll probably fail the driver's exam.

5. Driving with one hand — You may feel confident and comfortable driving with just one hand on the wheel, but this is not the proper way. Always keep your hands at 8-4Driving Information Driving Techniques Steering Driversed.com to show your instructor you know what you're doing.

🧠 Get Mentally Ready: DMV Prep Tips

• Practice in the same car you’ll use on test day

• Use DMV practice tests to build test confidence

• Watch real-life driving test videos on YouTube to see what to expect

• Take slow, deep breaths to stay calm

• And remember: your examiner isn’t there to trick you. They just want to see that you can handle the road safely.

🗂️ What to Bring on Test Day

Avoid last-minute stress by gathering these the night before:

• Your learner’s permit

• A road-safe vehicle with up-to-date registration and insurance

• Your completion certificates (if required in your state)

• A licensed adult to accompany you, if needed

🎯 Ready to Practice?

Let us help you feel 100% test-ready:

• Take our free DMV practice tests

• Snag a Test prep course to refresh your memory 

• Explore state-approved drivers ed courses with practice quizzes and test prep

We’re here to support you all the way to the finish line.