ANXIETY ABOUT THE LICENCE TEST

Most learners feel concerned about having to take their licence test.  This is natural and a good thing - it encourages them to study hard for the knowledge test and to practice for the driving test.

Some learners feel anxious about the test - they predict that it will be difficult, that they might do badly, and that things would be terrible if that happened.  Anxiety is a problem because it makes it harder to pass the test - not easier.  When learner drivers start to predict the worst, they increase the likelihood that it will happen.

Some learners feel so anxious that they are almost certain to fail the test.  They may be the sort of person that gets anxious in other situations where they are being assessed or tested in some way.  The driving test seems to magnify this anxiety for many young people - perhaps because we all want to see ourselves as good drivers and there is a lot of peer pressure to pass.

If you are like this, or if your son or daughter is like this... professional help will make a difference.  It may not guarantee that you'll pass the test, but Psychologists are skilled at helping people deal with many different types of anxiety.  Test-related anxiety is something that you can control with some help.

A Psychologist might be able to help a learner driver with test-related anxiety.

The most effective psychological technique for this type of problem is probably cognitive-behaviour therapy - a short-term technique that deals with emotional problems like anxiety by teaching the client how to change their underlying thinking or self talk.

Effective cognitive-behaviour therapy for this type of anxiety might also include some exposure to the anxiety-producing situation.  The Psychologist might suggest some sessions with a driving instructor playing the role of the licence examiner to help them deal with their anxiety in a real-world situation.