Permit Test

There are seven keys to passing the written portion of the Department of Motor Vehicles learner's permit test that will ensure your success.

The written portion of the DMV's learner's permit test requires only simple, commonsense. However, it is important to prepare properly, in a manner that will allow you to take the test with confidence and avoid the disappointment of failure. Most driver's education students fail for many of the same reasons.

By understanding what to do -- and what not to do, you can assure yourself of success. Below is a simple and effective outline of how to make certain you pass the exam:

1) Avoid Waiting Until the Last Few Days to Study for the Learner's Permit Exam.

There is no other method to prepare yourself for the permit test - hence, pass the exam than by studying.

Begin studying a week or two in advance, not the night before. As with all tests, waiting until the last minute and attempting to cram the knowledge into your memory in a few short hours accomplishes little in respect to preparation. What cramming does do: it makes you tired and lethargic for the test. Cramming means you will not only lack knowledge; but also lack focus.

Rest assured, if you choose the route of studying for only a few short hours, you do not have the means to retain the information, no long-term recall at least. That means that even if you pass the test, you are not doing anyone else - nor yourself, - a favor, because, you will not know the rules of the road over the long-haul.

Cramming for the exam makes you a danger to both yourself and others.

Out of respect for yourself; those that love you; and others driving on the road -- as-well-as pedestrians on the side of the road or crossing it, -- learn the rules and regulations of driving.

Put the regulations in your long-term memory bank.

Make the rules of the road second nature.

2) Make Your Studying Time Management a Priority

Proper management of your study time leads to improved comprehension and retention, a better understanding of the materials. In other words, manage your study time efficiently, which means you will be a safer and more prepared driver once you are on the road.

In order to optimize the time you use to study for your permit, follow the four steps below:

1. Add-up the number of days until your permit test.
2. Divide the Learner's Permit Handbook into equal parts with respect to the number of days until the exam. However, do not count the last two days. They will be for review.
3. Move through the book from front to back. Do not skip ahead thinking that you will jump back and cover topics you missed.
4. Then study and study and study some more.
5. Take the DMV online permit practice test every opportunity you have, even if you have not covered all the material. Evaluate your results and review the sections you do poorly on that. (California DMV Permit Practice Test / Florida DHSMV Permit Practice Test)

3) Be a Proactive Learner

Think as you read. Make certain you understand each section you read. If you begin to lose focus and your eyes are just scanning the words, go back to the last topic you comprehend and begin again. Read aloud until the material begins to sink-in. If you are not understanding what you are reading, slow down and concentrate.

• Read at a pace that allows you to understand each sentence.
• Understand the key points in each section.
• Aloud, tell yourself what a section is about.
• Repeat the details of sub-sections to yourself.

Studying and learning are two unique and different activities. Study with an objective - to learn the material - and and understand that you can not learn through osmosis. Studying passively is no different than not studying. Study until you can not concentrate any longer; do something completely different and unassociated with the material; once you refocus and can think clearly, begin again.

4) Give Yourself and Understanding of What to Expect

The Department of Motor Vehicles' test is similar to other standardized test you have probably taken before, but there are differences. For example, there are drawings illustrating scenarios you will be required to understand with respect to your responsibilities.

As a result of the differences, it is critical that you gain a practical knowledge of how the questions are posed to you on the exam.

By understanding how the test is designed, you will feel a great deal less anxious when you take the test that determines whether or not you will receive your learner's permit.

Improv's Driver License Direct offers a Free Florida Permit Practice Test and a Free California Permit Practice Test

5) Learn From Your Mistakes by Reviewing the Results of Your Test

Once you take the test, rather than just look at the score you received, review the questions you got wrong. In addition, read all the questions again and those that you weren't sure about, - even though you got them right - re-read and then read the answer you gave.

By reading the questions you got wrong, you can increase your knowledge of the state's driving rules and regulations. By reading the ones you got wrong, you reinforce the knowledge you already have.

6) Take the Test at Your Best

By eating good meals, getting a little exercise to relieve stress and getting a solid night's sleep every night leading up to the test, you greatly improve your ability to concentrate as you study and relax and excel during the test. Eating junk food and food that has low nutritional value; remaining sedentary - watching TV or gaming, for example - without getting sufficient exercise; and staying up all night and sleeping short periods at odd hours is a formula for failure. To ensure you are at your best when you study and during the test:

• Energize your brain with vegetables, meats and fish as well as low sugar carbohydrates.
• Avoid high sugar carbohydrates and processed foods such as sauces, condiments, snack foods and chocolates.
• Be active for at least an hour a day.
• Sleep a solid eight hours a night.

7) Increase Your Confidence and Decrease Your Stress

Confidence allows you to succeed even when you are under pressure. Before hand:

1. Get comfortable - for example, sit in a lazyboy and go through the handbook one last time.
2. Stay relaxed - take a long shower before hand maybe.
3. Assure yourself of your success - whether it is talking to yourself or laughing at yourself about your nervousness, remind yourself that you know you are going to pass.

Summary of Plan

The seven steps to success are:

1. Begin studying weeks in advance of the test
2. Make an agenda that allows you to manage your study time.
3. Both study and learn.
4. Take the practice tests.
5. Don't make the same mistake twice.
6. Eat, sleep and exercise.
7. Develop your confidence.