about upcoming driving test!

[Anontastic1]

Driving test is in a weeks time and I do not feel ready 😢

I’ve been learning for the last year and had about 60 hours worth of lessons. Probably worth mentioning I am quite an anxious person in general so the learning process has been a slow and painful one. I am also 6 months pregnant and have struggled with sickness from about 6 weeks so I did have a break from lessons between 8-20 weeks whilst I got over the worst phase of hyperemesis.

Thinks are very stressful in my life at the moment (this is baby number 3 and struggling with this pregnancy, 1 year old DS not sleeping well and DD (4) has undiagnosed behavioural problems we are currently getting help with). I’m struggling to get my head in the game ready for next week. I’ve got 4 more hours worth of lessons to go before my test next week but don’t feel like I’m anywhere near prepared. If I cancel though there’s a 3 month waiting list at my test centre for a test which means I’d be full term and not really able to take it until after baby is born.

I don’t know what to do....

I’m having panic attacks even thinking about taking the test but also worried i’ll kick myself if I delay it further....

My instructor isn’t massively confident either I don’t think she said last week with me it’s 50/50 depending on if I can keep my nerves in check.

WWYD?

Thanks in advance!

I really feel for you- I passed on my second attempt about 3 weeks ago and I was a complete wreck beforehand. I had a dizzy spell when I stood up to go out to the car for the test and honestly thought I was going to pass out. It won't be any easier if you wait until after your baby is born, it will probably be worse. But you could look at it as a trial test, to find out which areas you need to work on- sort of like a progress check.

I had a close family member's funeral to go to after the test as well, and it was the day after what would have been my daughter's last day in primary school (has she lived) so not ideal at all. A few things did help- anti perspirant all over my back and the palms of my hands helped with the nervous sweating. But what helped the most was doing as much driving as possible leading up to the test- the more you drive the more confident you will feel. For the 3 weeks before the test I did 3 hours a day (I was bloody shattered by the time I got to test day!).

And do try to remember that you don't have to drive perfectly, just try to avoid the really big mistakes. I did 44 in a 40 zone, fluffed the forward part of a forward bay park and most of my stops were very harsh and jerky. The test I failed was actually much smoother, but the examiner was horrid to me and I let that fluster me, and made a big mistake. I passed the second time with 8 minors (4 for harsh braking!) but they don't grade driving licences so I didn't care.

Also, think about what your instructor has said- you can drive well enough, you are just very nervous. I'd try for the test but not get too invested in the outcome if possible. Good luck!

@DontDribbleOnTheCarpet congrats on passing your test! I hope that will be me someday! Realistically i know it probably won’t be any easier after the baby arrives as I’ll likely be getting even less sleep than I am now. Anxiety is such a horrible thing though and I keep imaging all the possible ways I could mess up the test. My worst nightmare is a horrible examiner that makes me even more edgy...but I guess it’s just the luck of the draw on the day. I’ve heard horror stories! 😩 just really hope I can hold it together

Thanks- I'm 45 so I felt quite elderly among all those teenagers taking their tests, but I'm so glad that I did it.You can do it too - remind yourself that it only lasts 45 minutes. You can stay calm for 45 minutes.

Do it for the experience, if you pass it's a bonus

@DontDribbleOnTheCarpet I’m 32 so considered an older learner too. Was in an accident as a passenger as a teen so was too scared to learn when I was younger. It’s been a long, hard road getting to this point and LOTS of tears. Really really hoping to pass soon so this doesnt drag on much longer. Thanks for your advice

I was sure I wouldn't pass mine first time so decided to treat it as a practice test and see how few errors I could make. Convinced myself I'd failed on a major fairly on which took the pressure off a bit too. As it turned out I passed! So I'd recommend giving it a go just to see what happens.

I passed mine first time back in March with only one minor for indicating a bit too early. A week before my test I was having so many anxiety attacks, nearly cancelled the test so many times, would wake up in a sweat etc. This was mostly down to hating my learning experience thanks to my horrid instructor, so felt the pressure to pass first time and never see him again. I was practicing with my partner so much the weekend before my test, as well as in the morning before my instructor came to pick me up the day of my test. I practised each manoeuvre over 10 times the day of my test, as well as knew the test areas off by heart, ie the nasty junctions, roundabouts etc. I also spent a lot of time on YouTube looking at those driving videos. But still felt so scared, I am a very anxious person anyway. As soon as I got in the car with the examiner my nerves just disappeared, luckily my examiner was so nice, he was very chatty so helped me not feel so scared. I also knew where the examiner was making me go, which seriously helped me, (I was obsessed with knowing the roads near the exam centre so spent every waking hour on google maps looking at the roundabouts, lane discipline etc). Tips I would give is to just practice as much as possible, eat prior to the test, don’t tell everyone you have your test, know the roads you could be going on and to just know that you are ready!
It seriously is luck on the day!

I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who is panicking about a test and it’s actually quite normal to feel this way. I woke up last night several times feeling really panicky (that was in between wake ups with my little one). Sleep deprivation is what’s killing me the most...being tired makes the anxiety much worse and I start to doubt how safe I am driving which such little sleep. When the new baby comes that’s going to get worse though so I’m sort of stuck. I have a 2 hour lesson today 5:15-7:15 (following a 9 hour shift at work 😩). Not sure how I’ll cope. Just feel like I’m at burnout stage now. Thanks for the replies so far

Sounds very rough for you - waking up like that is very unpleasant and draining and not something you just should have to live with.

Have you ever taken propanolol? This can be precribed by GP for one-off events where nerves stand a good chance of felling you (also can be taken more long term for anxiety). I know you are pregnant at mo and it may not be suitable right now, but it would deffo be worth considering if you postpone test until you've had baby.

The other thing worth considering is self-help books/ recordings for anxiety. Have a look on something like Amazon and see if there are any highly rated books/ downloads.

Mainly, I wish I could wave my magic wand and grant you a month's worth of full sleep.

Ah thanks @ovenchips that’s very sweet of you. A month’s worth of quality sleep would be a dream right now!

I’ve just got back from my lesson...No major mistakes, but instructor super critical because she wants me to do well. Still don’t feel ready. Messed up my reverse bay park for example and only got one more lesson Monday...then I guess I just have to go for it.

When I think about the test I just want to cry 😢 I’m such a wuss!