Get as much practice as possible. Book extra lessons with your driving instructor. In your final sessions, ask the instructor to concentrate on the manoeuvres you find most tricky.

Complete at least one 'mock test' in which your instructor ensures that conditions are as realistic as possible, providing a full debrief at the end of the session.

Don't listen to the advice of your friends / family. They doubtless mean well, but their instructions may be confusing, misguided or otherwise unhelpful. Remember that your driving instructor has years of experience as well as a professional training.

Ignore driving test horror stories. There are hundreds of them doing the rounds. A couple may even be true.

Don't drink any large amounts of alcohol

Get a good night's sleep

Get all the required documents together so that you are not rushing around looking for them just before you leave for the driving test centre.

Make sure you know how to get to the driving test centre. Do a practice run if necessary.

Plan what time you are going to get up, eat, leave home etc the following day.

Think positively from the moment you wake up. Tell yourself that you are going to get through the day calmly.

Eat light meals at your normal mealtimes and ensure you get your regular fluid intake. Even if your test is early in the morning, it is important to have a good breakfast in order to boost your concentration levels. Try not to over eat, however, as this may make you uncomfortable or lethargic.

Wear clothes that make you feel as comfortable as possible.

Try not to think too much about the test until it is time to leave. Take the telephone off the hook and pre-occupy yourself with something else.

Don't take pills to calm your nerves. They are likely to slow your reactions and negatively affect your performance.

Do not drink any alcohol

Leave for the test centre in plenty of time, allowing for the possibility of heavy traffic etc. You need to be there at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time or you risk the test being cancelled.

Concentrate on the matter in hand. Think about the test route you will be following and the important points you need to concentrate on.

Use visualization techniques to practice driving in your head. Picture yourself performing particular manoeuvres and focus on the points at which you need to turn the wheel, change gear, apply the brakes etc.

Listen to the last-minute advice of your instructor, and don't be afraid to ask him or her for clarification / reassurance on any matter.

If you are driving to the test centre, do so to the best of your ability. Maintain the accuracy and observation levels you have been taught so that you are properly 'warmed-up' by the time you come to take the test.

Just before the test, take a few slow breaths to relax. Clench and relax your muscles to get rid of any tension.

Tell yourself that you can do it! 32 million people hold full driving licenses in the UK. We're sure you can too.

Remember that some nervousness is normal. It can increase your alertness and improve your performance.

Don't be intimidated by the examiner. He is merely a person doing a job. He is not a god and he will not be judging you as a person. He doesn't want you to fail your test and he will not try to trick you at any stage.

Don't try to interact too much with the examiner. Silence is normal in the test car, and too much chit-chat could be distracting.

Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions. Ask for repetition / clarification if necessary and act in good time.

Bear in mind that the examiner just wants to see how you would normally drive - nothing you don't already know!

Explain your decisions to the examiner if you feel you have done something that could be misjudged.

If you come across a new situation, don't rush in. Stay calm and assess things carefully before you proceed. Be prepared to change your decision if necessary.

Take a deep breath and exhale slowly if you feel you are getting a bit tense at any point in the test.

Don't give up if you feel you have failed the test. You may be mistaken, so don't drop your concentration levels and risk commit errors that do cause you to fail.