There's nothing like the driving test to get your knees rattling and palms sweaty.

But why is it so excruciating? The pressure to perform can be intense, particularly when your friends and family know you're going for your Ps. There's also the stress of being assessed by someone you don't know – the RTA testing officer.

After speaking to a few of them, we're here to tell you that they're human, they're reasonable and they don't hold any prejudices (despite the myths!). They just want you to relax, focus and drive as you would with your parents or your driving instructor.

These officers see hundreds of learners come and go every year and they've given us some excellent advice about eliminating mistakes, being fully prepared on the day, calming those nerves and getting some perspective on the dreaded reverse park.

THE TESTING OFFICERS 

Jeff has been a testing officer for four years. He works at the Inverell Motor Registry in the New England area of NSW.

Chris has been testing drivers for four years. He's based at the Richmond Motor Registry, north west of Sydney.

Adam has three years' experience as a testing officer after a career as a police officer. He works out of the Belmont Motor Registry, south of Newcastle.

Brad is a testing officer at Rockdale in Sydney. He's been on the job for a year, after working for the Australian Customs Service.

THE TEST 

If you've had your Ls for 12 months, logged 120+ hours at the wheel (including 20+ hours of night driving) and turned 17 then you can go for your Ps. To get those precious red plates, you need to pass the simply named Driving Test. Your log book and the Guide to the Driving Test tell you all you need to know about the test and how to prepare for it. Go to Getting your P1 licence to download the guide. For more info about the driving test go to Getting your P1 licence

GEARED: What are the most common mistakes that drivers make during the Driving Test? 

The officers agree that the big mistakes are the small but important things. Things like signalling – either forgetting to indicate or not doing it for long enough – and observation (failing to check your mirrors or blind spot). Stop signs are also causing trouble.

Jeff: Signalling incorrectly is one of the most common mistakes. Most people just flick on their indicator and off they go. You must signal for at least 5 seconds before leaving a parking space or moving to or from a kerb. It is also important to signal at the right time because signalling too early, too late or leaving your indicator on can confusion other road users. Missing observation checks is another common error. You need to check your blind spots and mirrors when merging, changing lanes and during your manoeuvres. Drivers often forget to check their left hand side blind spot when turning left off wide roads. Think of it this way, if you could fit a car between the kerb and your car, a head check is required before turning left. You never know when something will be travelling up that part of the road. And don't forget that an observation check is also required to confirm that it is safe to continue before moving off after being stopped at traffic lights.

Chris: I think the major problems are observation, signalling and gap selection. Applicants trying to turn right at lights can take too long to turn – there maybe plenty of room but because they're hesitant they can get into trouble. It's important to be decisive.

Brad: I think the most common mistake is just not stopping at stop signs – they just slowly roll through. You have to stop completely. Another common mistake is not checking blind spots when merging with traffic and entering intersections.

Adam: Signalling is a problem, particularly leaving or pulling into the kerb. Manly people don't put their indicator on at all – it's probably the pressure of the test or nerves. Also make sure you check blind spots on manoeuvres and when changing lanes.

Another problem is not selecting safe gaps in traffic. It's a matter of judgement and experience. Sometimes they will pull out and misjudge the speed of the car coming towards them or, if it's a truck, they need to take into account that the truck takes longer to stop than a car.

The whole car has to be behind the line at stop signs and traffic lights. A lot of applicants will stop behind the line at traffic lights and then start creeping forward – you have to stay behind the line. At stop signs you can move forward if your view is obscured, but only after you've come to a complete stop.

GEARED: How should applicants prepare on the day of the test? Is there anything they can do to make sure things run smoothly? 

Jeff: Read the Guide to the Driving Test book, make sure all forms and sections of your log book are completed and signed. Arrive just before your booking time. Make sure your car is roadworthy, registered and that all lights are working including any additional brake lights in rear windows and double check the lights again when you arrive at the motor registry. If you're not sure on something in the guide or are confused over something someone else has told you about the driving test, just drop into your local RTA Motor Registry and ask to speak to a testing officer to clear up any questions you may have. I am more than happy to talk to people if they have driver test enquiries.

Chris: Practice a lot and make any adjustments to mirrors and the seat before the test. You have to make sure your log book is filled out correctly. We are constantly chasing signatures and the declaration. You can save yourself a whole lot of grief by having that ready beforehand.

Brad: The most important thing is to arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to get to know the location. If you're late then the test can't go ahead. You don't want to be rushed when you're doing your test – it just doesn't help.

Adam: Make sure the car's roadworthy (especially that brake lights are working – particularly the middle light in the rear window or on the spoiler as this is often the main offender when a light is out). Make sure the car is in the test rank to commence the test (unless this is not possible due to unauthorised cars parking there). Registries have allocated spaces or a designated rank where the test is to start. Often applicants park across the road in the supermarket car park, but it just adds to your anxiety if you park in the wrong spot and have to go get the car.

GEARED: Are nerves a big factor in taking the test, and what in your experience is the best way to control them? 

Jeff: Nerves affect everyone differently; we are all human including testing officers. I can assure you there have been times during driving tests where even I have been nervous. Testing officers are not there to put you under any more pressure than you already feel. I find having a little chat with the applicant often helps reduce their nerves. We all deal with nerves differently one applicant recently pretended that the testing officer in the car was a friendly Tom Tom (Navigation System) it worked for her. Also remember the old saying "You cannot change the past" therefore if you make a mistake don't dwell on it. I know it's easier said than done, but I have seen many applicants make additional mistakes because they were worrying about a minor error they made, instead of concentrating on the remainder of the test.

Chris: Yes nerves are a factor, so remember to take your time. Drive as normally as possible. I think applicants try to impress the testing officer too much – some drivers tend to forget what they're doing and overdo the technical side. By this I mean overdoing the head checks and driving mechanically. They're going beyond what's safe and necessary. And it's clear they're not going to do that once they leave the test. Students who pass are confident and relaxed – or at least they appear to be confident and relaxed!

Brad: As a testing officer you try to allay people's nerves by being relaxed yourself. So, take a deep breath, talk to the testing officer or whatever works for you and remember to take your time.

Adam: Nerves are often a big factor in driving tests and it's quite obvious as a tester when an applicant is nervous. Nerves are always going to be there in any examination, but the advice I usually give is to treat the test as any other driving lesson and not to think of it as a test. Also remember that there aren't any tricks - we are there to make sure that you're driving safely and obeying the road rules. You hear stories that if you come on your birthday you won't pass or that we pass girls and not boys. That's not what it's about – we're just there to watch you driving, not to trick you or catch you out. If you obey the road rules and drive safely often everything else will fall into place.

GEARED: Everyone seems to get worried about parking manoeuvres. Any tips for success? 

Jeff: Read the Guide to the driving test book to familiarise yourself with all the different manoeuvres required. Then practice, practice, practice. They all get easier with practice. Practice in different locations - so don't always reverse park in the same street. And on the big day don't over-think the manoeuvres. They are only a small portion of the overall driving test.

Chris: Practise and remember that it's only a small component of the test.

Brad: Practise makes perfect. Learn to adapt to different situations, so practise in different locations. It doesn't have to be perfect. A lot of applicants if they slightly mess it up will assume they've failed, but you can make some mistakes and still pass: unless you mount the kerb or hit another car, you should be OK.

Adam: The parking gets back to nerves. Often when applicants muck it up, they (and their parents or instructors) will tell you they've been doing perfect parks up until the test. For some reason they place major importance on the reverse park and there seems to be a perception that if you don't get it right then you've failed the test (especially if they bump the kerb). Applicants will often make a mistake on a reverse park or three-point turn, but unless it's significant enough to be a fail item, then it is usually just a negative tick on the score sheet. My tip would be not to think about it so much – it is merely a small part of the overall test.

For more info about the Driving Test, including booking your test, go to Getting your P1 licence.

You're ready – what about your car? 

The RTA doesn't provide cars for licence tests – you need to organise your own. Whether it's your driving instructor's car, a family car or maybe a mate's, you need to make sure it's ready for the test as well. If something is wrong with your wheels, you might not be able to take the test. Follow this check list and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Car check list 

• Is my rego sticker visible and current?
• Are my windows clean and undamaged?
• Are the tyres inflated correctly?
• Do my indicators and brake lights work?
• Have I adjusted the mirrors, seat and seatbelt to suit me?
• Do I have enough petrol?