Taking a driving test is a stressful experience for everyone.
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From practicing on empty roads to understanding road signs, candidates are usually feeling overwhelmed with the amount of pressure they have to go through to get a driver’s license.
Yet some candidates are clueless about what to wear for an event of which there’s very little information about the dress code.
It’s common to see men wearing outfits that make them look like they are going to the beach rather than a test, while some women wear high-heels, which is a huge mistake.
If you are planning on taking the road test, here is a guide that will help you dress for success.
Shall I dress smart or casual for my driving test?
Before anything else, dressing smart or casual is completely up to your own discretion. But, like a job interview, you need to make sure you give a great first impression to the examiner.
Making a positive impact is not easy but you could start by dressing relatively smart and looking tidy.
You can give a good impression by wearing a classic outfit (shirt, pants, and a nice pair of shoes). Picking the right outfit could make you look confident and that’s a good start.
Shall I wear loose clothing?
Since you are going to be sitting behind the wheel for 30 mins to an hour, being comfortable is key to a positive outcome.
Try wearing loose clothing such as straight pants and avoid going for tight shirts and skinny jeans as they could restrict your movements when making a maneuver.
Whatever you choose to wear make sure you are able to make quick moves without feeling restrained.
What about footwear?
At this point, things are starting to get more serious as the shoes you wear could have an impact on your safety.
Wearing flips flops or sandals are the worst choice for a driving test and driving instructors usually recommend drivers to leave them at home.
Wearing flip flops, for example, is a dangerous choice as you can get a grip on the pedals while trying to adjust your driving, which could lead to a disappointing performance.
In addition, wearing high heels could put your safety at risk while on the road, mostly if you are a novice driver.
A simulator study has demonstrated that moving the foot between the brake and the pedal in high heels was 0.13 seconds slower, which could potentially result in a severe crash.
Dress according to the weather
If your driving test takes places during the summer, don’t wear sweaters and thick pants. Remember that you will have to be sitting behind the wheel for 30 mins to an hour.
When it comes to winter, it could be tricky as you don’t want to be wearing an outfit that we’ll keep you way too warm for the test.
You don’t want to fail the exam just because you feel too hot to focus on the instructions given by the examiner.
Lastly, you better leave your sunglasses at home because they usually darken your view which, to some extent, affects your visibility during the exam.
Not to mention that it won’t let the examiner tell whether you are using your mirrors when needed.
SEE ALSO: How To Take A Good Driver’s License Photo (Tips And Tricks)