How was your driving test? Share your experience

I just passed the theory test and now I’m getting ready for the practical driving test in Ludvika.

I thought it would be great to start a thread where we can share our experiences, tips, and advice about it.

What was your test like?
Any unexpected challenges?
What helped you feel more confident?
What should people definitely not forget on the day of the test?

Whether you’ve already passed or are preparing like me, your input could really help others in the same boat. Let’s support each other!

I have 20 years of driving experience in South America. But I’ve heard the driving test in Sweden is more difficult.
I’ve been driving my own car here for 6 months, but with a license from another country

Remember to bring your id-card when you do the test.
Always plan your driving, not throw yourself into situation. Scan the road/area so you dont only looking at one thing infront of the road. Adjust your driving so you have time to follow ruels, plan the driving so you are in your lane (wide road=more lanes), read about it again in theory. Remember looking in your mirrors so you se Traffic behind you and dont forget the ”blind spot when it is needed. If you do a mistake dont think about it and try to do the rest of driving better.

Hej!

You will likely drive Volvo or Volkswagen, if you are unfamiliar with them, I suggest you google pictures of the interior to study where are the buttons/switches. It might be rainy and cold, so you better know how to turn on the back windshields wiper and the window heaters etc.

I don’t know how you drive, but the Swedish driving exam requires the student to be obviously careful and not someone who drives fearlessly with high confidence. It could be difficult for you because you are already an experienced driver. The following ones are some tips to demonstrate the ideal driving behaviour - for the driving exam.

Speed: Keep it 5 km/h below speed limit!

Since you are experienced driver, probably you - just like us in Sweden of those with driving license - follow the traffic flow that is usually a bit faster then the speed limit.
On your exam, you cannot exceed the speed limit, not even by just 1 km/h! So
continuously watch your speed and the safest is to stay around 5 km/h below the limit.

Watch mirrors and blind spot: Aggregated and obvious head turns!

Again, because you are experienced driver, probably it would be hard to notice sometimes whether you looked or not because you did it quickly with your eyes.
Turn your head on the exam in a very obvious way all the time. Let the examiner notice that you are watching our mirrors, blind spots. It will not make you look scared or noob, but will make you look very careful and cautious. You can even say that: I’m watching the mirrors…not eh blind spot…oh there is a car on my right…etc.

Lane changes and maneuvering the car: Move like a granny!

I know you can do quick checks, decisions and rapid movements in an efficient way. But forget that on the exam. Instead, maneuver really slow and smooth. Accelerate and break smoothly. Do lane changes after you waited for at least 5 seconds from the moment you activated the turn indicator. This is true even if the other lane is obviously empty! Also, keep doing the aggregated head movements to show how much you are looking at your surrounding.


Probing your attention:

The examiner will ask you whether you want to chat or stay silent during the drive. Remember when you are chatting, do not look at him once you are driving, not even for one second! I heard that is a trick that they ask you questions and if you remove your eyes from the road that’s gonna be noted.

Unexpected scenarios: You play the humble one!

I have got some pedestrians run across the road, a car that illegally turned instead of letting me go first, I haven’t see one speed sign and got a slow moving vehicle in front of me.
Remember, do not show your anger, do not honk. I stopped for them and explained that I’m just careful for them. If you miss a speed sign, you can always ask the examiner. When I got the slow moving vehicle and it seemed like a perfect time and space for an overtake, I asked for permission to overtake that. The answer was yes.

Good luck!

One trick maneuver I got to do on my first driving test was to reverse straight. That is right, not around a corner or reverse park between two cars. Just reversing straight. I failed just because of this, and you can understand how I felt. But I was not expecting that kind of reversing maneuver. I was reversing in a slow paste, but I failed because I did not check my mirrors enough. I am writing this just so other people can be aware too that this maneuver can occur (but I do not know how often).

One extra tip. You are allowed to adjust your mirrors when you reverse. Just remember to adjust them back when you are done with the reversing maneuver. I forgot that on my third driving test, but luckily I saw just enough of the cars behind me and I passed! Do not be too scared about making small mistakes. If someone says they instantly fail you because of one single mistake (if it is not major), they are not correct.

Thanks! By the way, do you know if they usually ask you to do a U-turn or drive in a roundabout during the test?

Thanks so much for all these great tips! I really appreciate the detailed advice.

Just a few questions to be better prepared:

1.- What should I do if a cyclist is about to cross at a pedestrian crossing that’s not officially marked for bicycles — should I give way?
2.- When it comes to mirror checks, is it okay to exaggerate head movements even if it feels unnatural?
3.- And about chatting during the test — do you recommend staying silent or engaging a bit with the examiner?
4.- By the way, did they ask you to check or prepare anything specific before the exam started?

Thanks again for your help!

Thanks for sharing your experience!
I didn’t know reversing straight could be part of the test — that’s really helpful to know.

Did they ask you to reverse while following a curb or just in the middle of the road?

Also, do you remember if they gave any instructions before starting the maneuver?

The second time he asked me to reverse around a curb. The instructions he gave me was to reverse around it and continue into the road for approximately 10 meters.

I’m not really sure what you mean with reversing in the middle of the road. If you mean the first reversing maneuver I did, I was asked to reverse straight backwards. I made sure I did not go in the wrong lane while doing it, but unfortunately I was going way to close to the ditch, without me noticing it.

Just remember that if you are unsure about the instructions. Always ask! It should not be your fault if you fail because of an unclear instruction.

Hope that was answering your questions.

1. I would say you should give way depending on the situation. If the cyclist is close or first to the crossing? Yes. Make sure you are clear with your intentions. Hold a good distance to them, so they know you drive safe.

2. They have their own mirrors in the car so they see your eye movements even if you don’t turn your head. But you should still turn your head so you can see in the blind spots! Otherwise it is the same thing here. Make sure you from time to time check your mirrors because it is crucial to know what is coming behind you. You do not want to get surprised with someone overtaking you at the worst possible spot.

3. Do what suits you best. You can even have the radio on if you want to. I do not like when people talk to me while I am concentrated. You can talk about whatever you like. Your hobbies or whatever. They are instructed to not disturb at certain points though. While doing your maneuver for example. However, one thing I disliked about my second instructor was that he was yaming to a song or something even though I made myself clear that I did not want the radio on or have small talk.

4. You always do a safety check at the start of the test. It can be making sure the tires have enough air pressure, the brakes work etc. There are videos on youtube and info on Trafikverket of what you might be obligated to do.

How close is it to your driving test?