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Original poster

Feeling a bit sorry for myself, failed driving test

30 replies

sprite25 · 03/03/2020 14:13

Just curious how many times people had to take their driving test before they passed? Failed my second test today and am nearly 38 weeks pregnant so am probably taking it alot more personally then I should. One of the reasons I failed was because I was asked to do a reverse parallel park with a white van really close to me who was waving his arms about and getting stressy, I messed the whole thing up and just said I can't do it. Knew there and then I'd definitely failed. Driving instructor says I always let nerves get the better of me but I'm starting to think driving just isn't for me 😔

OP posts:

Blondefancy · 03/03/2020 14:16

I failed 3 times!! It was ultra depressing each time however it was only when I stopped getting so worked up about it did I actually pass! (Only just though!

firstimemamma · 03/03/2020 14:19

I passed third time lucky.

My fiancé also passed third time and he's the best driver I know.

Try to remain positive, there's always next time.

RibenaMonsoon · 03/03/2020 14:20

I passed my 4th attempt last week. It's taken me 3 years to learn and 4 attempts to pass. You will get there, I promise. Keep going and don't stop untill you get there.

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Robs20 · 03/03/2020 14:21

I failed first time, was really nervous and nearly knocked down a cyclist (and got another major / many minors). I passed with 1 minor 2 weeks later. You will get there!

june2007 · 03/03/2020 14:23

Lots of people take more then twice. I would discuss with your instructor where you went wrong and plan some more lessons. Keep going.

Hulabalula · 03/03/2020 14:28

How many minors did you get? I failed my first with only 2 minors but one major fault. I passed second time but had loads of minors. I say I technically drove better on the first test. My major fault was similar to yours in that if the circumstances had been different, I would have passed. It was just bad luck and nerves on the day.

If you are test ready then you are a good driver and will pass. It’s also really really difficult not to let nerves get the better of you. Keep going and good luck.

timetochangeagainforever · 03/03/2020 14:30

I failed 3 times, first 2 days after giving birth. Each time failed on something different. I was so upset every time and worried as I needed to drive when I returned to work after maternity leave due to childcare arrangements.
Keep at it, you'll get there.

Batqueen · 03/03/2020 14:31

Third time for me. You will get there. Driving is one of those things that you don’t get properly confident at until you have actually passed your test and have been out on the roads a while.

heymammi · 03/03/2020 14:38

I passed on my 5th try! And that was only because my instructor advised me to go to the doctors for my Severe anxiety, I was then put on beta blockers. It took me 5 months from first lesson to last test to pass because I just didn't give up but my God I would never want to go through that again. I actually cried on my test instructor when she told me I passed. I had 4 grumpy men before that but she just put me at ease.

mummymeister · 03/03/2020 14:40

38 weeks pregnant and an idiot waving his hands about! honestly, you are being way to hard on yourself. have the baby, give it a couple of months and try again.

MashedPotatoBrainz · 03/03/2020 14:42

I passed on my third go. For me it was the nerves, I had to reach a point where I wasn't bothered if I passed in order to pass. My first examiner suggest I get some tranquilisers for next time as I was so nervous.

Third time I made a mistake at the beginning that I failed the second one for. So I knew I'd failed anyway so wasn't stressed as I'd already messed up. Except this examiner only put it down as a minor error, so I passed.

kevintheorangecarrot · 03/03/2020 14:43

Failed first time. Acted like a right brat after lol but I did it again and passed! Don't be disheartened and keep trying. So common that people fail first time.

blackteaplease · 03/03/2020 14:45

3rd time lucky for me, I was so nervous the first two attempts.

Pregnant with white van man sounds extremely stressful conditions for you.

Alicenwonderland · 03/03/2020 14:49

Don't give up!! I failed two in my 20s and took a break as I was dis-heartened as I felt I could drive and was ready, then I couldn't afford to have lessons. I passed in October (third time) at the grand old age of 41!!

Weregoingonanadventure · 03/03/2020 14:50

I passed first time but if I remember right, I was only 1 minor under the limit so super close to failing.
My sister failed 5 times, but always with a major. When she passed, she had no minor faults at all. She took more times than me, but you could probably argue that she might be the better driver (and I'm only saying that because she will never actually know I admitted it). So it really doesnt matter if you take a few times to pass! Just keep learning and build up your confidence.

teddyclown · 03/03/2020 14:53

I passed 3rd time while I was pregnant with my son (and that was 28 years ago. Son passed first time, and I joke that he had already been through the test inside me!

Clarabellawilliamson · 03/03/2020 14:55

Don't worry- you will get there! Also, there is no way I could have passed a driving test when heavily pregnant. I found my spatial awareness was totally different- I used to flinch really badly (and reversed into a pole when 38 weeks, something has never happened before or since- I was an absolute state) I've always presumed it's an evolutionary response, like how animals get aggressive if you go near them or their babies?!! Always comes back though. Good luck for next time!

blamethecat · 03/03/2020 14:57

3rd time for me, changed instructors after the 2nd fail and the new instructor made all the difference. Don't be too hard on yourself.

PanicAtTheTesco · 03/03/2020 14:57

I took 3 tests over about 4 or 5 months, having been learning maybe the same amount of time before booking a test. There are definitely RL situations that making passing very difficult indeed. The first test I failed I had someone aggressively force me to reverse about 50 yards down the street and then wedge into a miniscule passing place when they had a huge gap about 10 yards behind them.

Although my second failure was entirely of my own making . Fine now. Keep at it.

Yummymummy2020 · 03/03/2020 15:00

Ah that’s so crap for you!!! You got unlucky with the van guy by the sounds of it and it’s a pity, you probably would have passed it without the stress of him!!! You will get there, it’s just annoying having to repeat it even more now!!!

Showmeyourhero · 03/03/2020 15:16

Hey OP, I was 32 when I learned to drive! Failed on my first test, passed on my second with zero minors - Good Luck! The next time is yours

Kmx123 · 03/03/2020 19:44

I passed third time first two times failed on silly things down to nerves i was 38 weeks when i finally past and my test sheet was clear not ever 1 minor

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 03/03/2020 19:57

I passed on my 6th go
Really struggled with nerves every time. Commiserations OP. Keep going, you'll get there.

Cakemonger · 03/03/2020 19:57

I failed my first, did something stupid on a roundabout in the first 2 minutes due to nerves, drove almost perfectly for the rest of it but knew I'd already failed. The instructor's advice to me was 'try not to be nervous next time'! It feels really shit but don't worry, you will pass and it'll be worth it - you'll be glad you carried on. It's very normal to take a few attempts, it just depends what happens on the day.

NeverGotMyPuppy · 03/03/2020 20:00

4th time for me but honestly every one always comments on what a good driver I am. There is no correlation, dont beat yourself up, try again

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