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Original poster

How many times to pass driving test?

110 replies

Ionasmum19 · 14/01/2025 16:17

Ive failed my driving test for the second time today and I'm so disappointed in myself! Got me curious, how many times did it take others to pass? I feel like giving up now!!

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purplehue · 15/01/2025 07:36

I passed first time. You can be the best driver but it's down to nerves at the time of the test. I could it the most nerve wracking test I ever sat.

Tip: book around 10am as the morning rush has finished and the roads are quieter.

Good luck with your next.

OzCalling · 15/01/2025 01:11

Blueotter22 · 14/01/2025 19:55

4th time here!

I felt like giving up too, and the nerves were so bad! On the 4th time I decided to try some calming tactics (I’m a sensory occupational therapist) that I would usually recommend for regulating others…and it worked! (Or possibly a placebo effect)

  • I wore waterproof socks - tight compression to increase feedback to feet
  • sucked on a mint the entire time (Uncle Joes)
  • in the toilet at the test centre I pushed the wall as hard as I could for a minute.
Yes, it sounds completely bonkers but it really helped in making me feel more relaxed.

Don’t forget the lucky banana!

Hallionflossie · 14/01/2025 20:05

OneTC · 14/01/2025 16:33

Got it third go.

Never met a good driver who passed first go

Balls. You just have a chip on your shoulder.

Good luck next time OP.

bakewellbride · 14/01/2025 20:02

It took me and dh each 3 times and dh is the best driver I know (experienced in driving ambulances too). Dont give up!

Blueotter22 · 14/01/2025 19:55

4th time here!

I felt like giving up too, and the nerves were so bad! On the 4th time I decided to try some calming tactics (I’m a sensory occupational therapist) that I would usually recommend for regulating others…and it worked! (Or possibly a placebo effect)

  • I wore waterproof socks - tight compression to increase feedback to feet
  • sucked on a mint the entire time (Uncle Joes)
  • in the toilet at the test centre I pushed the wall as hard as I could for a minute.
Yes, it sounds completely bonkers but it really helped in making me feel more relaxed.
SexAndCakes · 14/01/2025 19:48

I passed first time but it took me 18 months of lessons to be ready!

Newusernameforthiss · 14/01/2025 19:46

Sixth time. I should have passed the fourth time the but the examiner was a cow who kept me out for an hour and failed me for "slowing down too much on the approach to a roundabout" I think because she just didn't like me. Whole system is a mess. Just keep going!

Vettrianofan · 14/01/2025 19:46

JustAGalWhoLovesBooks · 14/01/2025 18:40

5th or 6th, I gave up counting 😆. But I kept on booking a test as soon as I failed, I was determined. Eventually passed when I took it in my own car rather than the instructors as I couldn't afford to keep paying her.

Same. I was determined that I would get it done and pass. Regardless of how many attempts - get it done!

Oreosareawful · 14/01/2025 19:44

Passed my driving test first time at 18 and my trailer test first time a couple of years later (when it was a requirement for pulling a trailer)

I hate the comment that people passing first time are not good drivers, it usually comes from people who didn’t pass first time funnily enough.
I consider myself quite competent, my bragging rights come from doing a three point turn in a vets car park in a pickup with a pony in the trailer- bloody impressive!

LivingOnTheVeg · 14/01/2025 19:43

First time for me. I stalled and bumped the curb within the first five minutes, so I assumed I’d already failed which then made me relax weirdly, and it was fine from there.

ByTheSea · 14/01/2025 19:38

DD1 passed on the fifth try.

Mnetcurious · 14/01/2025 19:37

Passed second time at age 18.

Vettrianofan · 14/01/2025 19:36

Keep going don't give up!!!! You've invested too much time and money to give up.

I was fourth or fifth attempt. Took the last test in my own car. Not sure if it was coincidence but it may have been what did the trick. Overall, the examiner was sound and put me at ease which also helped.

Good luck OP!!

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 14/01/2025 19:26

5th time lucky for me!

AlmostCutMyHairToday · 14/01/2025 19:23

First time. But that was in Portugal and I definitely should NOT have passed. I did not know how to drive, and checking mirrors was not taught so I was basically driving blind.

Winter42 · 14/01/2025 19:19

I passed on the 9th attempt. Keep going!

Sunnnybunny72 · 14/01/2025 19:18

Four.
On my first attempt I touched a hedge with the front of the car as I came to a stop in the test centre, ever ever so lightly. The instructor said ' up until then you had passed but that could have been a child so I will have to fail you!'
Gutted.

NameChanges123 · 14/01/2025 19:16

Two times

Thmssngvwlsrnd · 14/01/2025 18:48

Took me 8 attempts. I failed 7 times in my 20s and gave up. Then moved from a large town, where everything was in walking distance, to a small village with one bus a day, so I had to try again. Luckily I passed that time, aged 43.

JustAGalWhoLovesBooks · 14/01/2025 18:40

5th or 6th, I gave up counting 😆. But I kept on booking a test as soon as I failed, I was determined. Eventually passed when I took it in my own car rather than the instructors as I couldn't afford to keep paying her.

oakleaffy · 14/01/2025 18:40

vikingnorthutsiresouthutsire · 14/01/2025 18:37

My mum passed on her 6th attempt in her 40s, but was determined to keep going until she passed. After the 5th test she came back grumbling about how unfriendly the examiner was and how ill he looked, she said he looked grey in colour. She counted herself lucky a few days later that he only looked ill on her test, as a few days later the same poor chap died of a heart attack in the passenger seat during a driving test!

Oh my goodness- Imagine the shock of that-
Poor driver!
He it she should have driven post haste to nearest casualty- but if the poor examiner was dead- maybe not much point.

Branleuse · 14/01/2025 18:39

I think it was 6th or 7th attempt, but 1st test in an automatic car. All the failures were in manual.

I think the combination of going to automatic lessons, plus wearing my lucky wonderwoman pants was what done it.

vikingnorthutsiresouthutsire · 14/01/2025 18:37

My mum passed on her 6th attempt in her 40s, but was determined to keep going until she passed. After the 5th test she came back grumbling about how unfriendly the examiner was and how ill he looked, she said he looked grey in colour. She counted herself lucky a few days later that he only looked ill on her test, as a few days later the same poor chap died of a heart attack in the passenger seat during a driving test!

coxesorangepippin · 14/01/2025 18:36

I passed on my fifth attempt

Totally worth it

BashfulClam · 14/01/2025 18:36

4th time for me, on one I just went to pieces and couldn’t remember how to do a reverse park. I did 2 perfectly on my pre test lesson and then my mind went totally blank. On one I went through a light just as it changed to amber which I thought was quite harsh!