How long did it take you to pass your driving test and did you pass first time?

[PFB1]

I sat my driving test in 2011. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances. My driving instructor got a new job 3 weeks before my test date and couldn't give me any more lessons, I couldn't find another instructor to take me on at short notice for such a short time. I sat the test having not even covered all of the stuff I needed to. It was an absolute disaster (3 majors and one fault that was worse than a major) and I was moving abroad the following day so no chance to do a re-test.

Nearly 8 years later and I've finally booked in to do a course of driving lessons! I'm very anxious about it all because it went so badly first time round so I'm hoping to hear some positive stories on here thanks!

It took me a year and I passed on my 5th time! I was really nervous in tests though and kept getting the jitters in my clutch leg! More than 20 years later now and I'm a good driver honest! 😁

Don't stress.

There's a saying - what's for you won't go by you.

It means things come to you in the right time for you.

I tried to hurriedly learn the first time I learned and took test far too soon and failed abysmally.

Left it for a while, then started lessons again and didn't try to rush things and it went much better. Passed test 2nd time despite being very nervous, I was 30 when I passed hardly a youngster.

With hindsight it worked out for the best.

Good luck! It took me 2 months and 3 tests- I did a week-long intensive course before my first test and then twice-weekly lessons until I passed.

I started learning in April 2015 however my instructor was really unreliable and cancelled a lot, so by the time I’d finally had enough and cancelled the rest of my lessons with him, it was September and even tho I was supposed to be having at least one lesson a week, I think I’d only had about 9! He was also rubbish about teaching new stuff. Lovely guy actually but just completely incompetent as a teacher. So I started with a new instructor about mid sept and he was amazing - never cancelled, pushed me (I was a ridiculously nervous driver and it had been made worse by the previous guy’s unreliability) without making me stressed, really knew his stuff, and I was test ready by February and passed first time. I consider my lessons I started on Sept to be when I truly started to learn to drive and don’t really count the lessons I had before as I learned so little and all they really did was increase my driving anxiety.

Started with new instructor Sept 2015 and passed Feb 2016 if not clear!

It took me 15 months and three tests. Found it hard going as it's but something I'm naturally good at but am so glad I persevered

Passed on my 4th...Passed in just under 12 months from starting lessons but took my first test after 8 months. Long wait list in my area unfortunately, but actually it worked out better as I feel like a much more conscientious, confident driver now because of the feedback I worked on after each test.
There's no limit to tests you can take and you'll pass when it's right.

My brother in law is a driving instructor and the number one mistake people make is booking their test too soon. Follow your instructors advice and book it when they say you are ready. They know best. Also if you have a car, do as many hours outside of your lessons as you can.

Started learning in November and passed on the first attempt with... I think 3 minors?... in the March, ie 4.5 months later. I had 8 lessons in the November then spent the December going for a drive every evening with my dad, which was so so helpful. Good luck OP! You can do it!

I failed my test 3 times as a teenager then gave up. Many years later when I was 31 I got divorced and I took it again in an automatic and passed on my second attempt. Good luck!

Took me 6 months and 5 tests 😂 passed before I turned 18

11 years and 8 tests!

It took me two months and I passed first time, I was 33 years old

It took me two years and seven tests. And a lot of money! But got there in the end.

If it's any consolation, the more you fail the less devastating it is!

I started learning at 17 & failed my test twice. Gave up learning for three years while I was at university. After graduating I did intensive lessons, four hours a week for about three months, took my test again & finally passed.

I had my first lessons when I was 19 and passed on my 10th attempt at age 37 😳.

I ran out of money when learning first time (as a student) so never took my test and didn't get around to going back to it, then put myself under huge pressure by moving cities for a job that needed me to drive! So had to learn and take multiple hasty tests in an unfamiliar city while feeling I really really have to pass! Stressful but I got there...fortunately my employer was very patient with the situation! Never give up 😂

Started August 1987. Had 10 hours of lessons and a few hours driving with my parents. Passed first time Feb 1988.

TBH I was a shocking driver with almost no experience who just happened not to make any mistakes on the day.

Started lessons October 1985. Passed test on 3rd April 1986.

No theory back then and test was only about 30 mins long.

Had my first lesson September 1998 and passed my test second time April 1999.

I took the theory and practical twice.

About 4 months, passed on second go.

In my defence, my examiner was being examined so I had a baldy fella sat in the back in the middle and it put me off during my first test. If that had happened now I would have refused to let him in but I was young and agreeable.

Burst into tears when I failed.

I started driving on my 17th birthday and passed my test first time about 14 weeks later , driving seemed to be a natural thing for me to do and I’ve always been very comfortable driving anything . I did my test in the early 80s so no theory test .

I started learning July 2017 and passed October 2018. I took 3 tests in May and June and failed them all, one major each time and a few minors. After the third one I was furious with myself and felt so down. It was coming up to the summer hols and I couldn't do lessons as no childcare. I just practiced in my own car.

After the DC's went back to school I decided it was time to get back on the horse and booked my 4th test. Everything seemed to be in my favour on that day! Nice examiner, good weather, quiet roads. I passed with no minors. I was SO happy.

You'll be absolutely fine and even if you don't pass the first time you will get there in the end.

It took me 60 hours of lessons and 5 attempts at the test. I was just incredibly anxious. I actually did 30 hours of normal lessons and then realised my anxiety was holding me back so had 30 hours at an intensive weekly driving course and that’s what really pushed me to pass. (I passed my test at the end of that, I’d failed the others before then). I’ve been driving nearly 10 years now and love it, touch wood have never had a problem etc.

The key is to practice, practice, practice! I was 32 when I passed!

3 months, first time

9 months or so.

Started lessons in Oct, failed in May and passed in July. This was 20 years ago though, I get the impression it's a bit harder now.