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Original poster

How the f do I pass my driving test?

102 replies

LadybirdInTheWindow · 31/07/2020 09:30

In an auto. Failed twice now. Both times I failed just on really stupid mistakes because I was nervous (eg living my indicator on which I never do in lessons). My instructor is kind of in despair with me because I am completely fine in lessons and don't really have trouble with any one particular thing, but when it comes to the test I go completely to pieces due to nerves and do ridiculous things I would never normally do.

Third test is on Wednesday next week and I'm already shitting it. Only my instructor knows I'm doing it. I haven't told DH or anyone else.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadybirdInTheWindow · 31/07/2020 09:31

LEAVING my indicator on. Argh.

OP posts:
Chickenkatsu · 31/07/2020 09:32

Beta blockers (with your doctor's approval of course)

Bagelsandbrie · 31/07/2020 09:33

Are you having lots of practice between tests? Ideally you should be driving every single day, busy roads etc - get someone to sit in with you obviously! I had terrible nervous and failed 3 times but before my 4th test I spent a week just driving non stop everywhere and it seemed to “click” and get rid of the nerves and I passed.

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dayswithaY · 31/07/2020 09:34

I don't know but I'd be interested to hear as my DD is currently on her third different instructor and has failed five times.

Weenurse · 31/07/2020 09:38

Practice, practice, practice
My DD’s drove us everywhere, 6 minutes to the shops, to sport, to school, to everything just to get the practice.
They drove every day and had weekly lessons up to their test.
We live locally to the testing centre, so they were very familiar with the testing route.
Good luck

amusedbush · 31/07/2020 09:42

I passed third time (also in an auto). The key was not giving a fuck Grin

Seriously though, I was so hacked off with the whole thing. My lessons were great but I failed my tests on really stupid mistakes (one of which was an outright lie on the part of the examiner, and my instructor proved it with dash cam footage!).

I booked the third test last minute due to a cancellation; on the Friday afternoon I booked a test for the coming Wednesday morning. I just wanted it over with but about 10 minutes into the test I made another stupid mistake (drifted over the line slightly when I took my eyes off the road to check my left mirror Blush) so I thought I'd failed there and then. My nerves vanished, I was pissed off at myself and I went through the motions until we parked up back at the test centre.

When he said I'd passed my response was, "Really?? Thanks!" Grin

Pegase · 31/07/2020 09:42

Agree with pp- you need more practice. I became the main driver in my house between test 1 and 2- with DH sitting next to me obviously. Drove everywhere for weeks ( as long as not requiring a motorway), busy roads, going the wrong way, not needing him to direct me etc. Was so much more relaxed during test as knew I had become a competent driver.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 31/07/2020 09:47

When my dc were about to do their driving tests, I told them that the driving test is unique in that it’s the only important test that you can retake without any negative consequences. A levels - your previous attempts are a matter of record. 11+ - whoops, your choice of school is severely restricted. Driving test? Just retake it.

Try to take as much pressure off yourself as possible, and practise as much as you can. You will get there.*

*I should point out I’m a complete hypocrite as I’m a non driver Blush

SilverYellow · 31/07/2020 09:51

I found that by not telling anyone I didn't have the anxiety of having to tell people that I'd failed (if I did) and it helped with the nerves. So I'd keep it to yourself.

If you fail, you fail and you try again.

confusedofengland · 31/07/2020 09:53

I finally passed on my 5th attempt at the age of 32. I did a couple of things differently & either or neither of them may have helped.

  1. I took some non-drowsy, herbal calming tablets
  1. I asked for my instructor to sit in the back when I took the test. He was allowed but not allowed to say anything or make eye contact with me. I found his presence reassuring & it reminded me what he would say to do in a particular situation.
itchyfinger · 31/07/2020 09:58

Also second beta blockers from the dr. They get rid of all of the physical effects nerves so your head feels a lot clearer and you can just focus on driving, without the nervousness of being in a test situation

PhoneLock · 31/07/2020 09:58

As people have already said, practice. Time is a bit short, but take every opportunity to drive that you can. My parents got me to drive to visit distant relatives and to our holiday home when I was learning and that was what built up my confidence. Driving became second nature.

Having said that, I was a nervous wreck the day of my test. Fine while doing it though. My only mistake was leaving the indicator on a bit too long after a turn.

FluffMagnet · 31/07/2020 09:59

Yeah I had the same. Nothing to do with practice or ability. I was driving every day with parents (all over the place, not just in my local area) and my instructor was at a complete loss as there was nothing more they could teach me. I took Kalms tablets in the run up to my last test and passed easily. I had no emotions for a week after, but all in all it was a success! I am and was a hugely confident driver, but the examiners put me on edge in a way I had never felt before.

GisAFag · 31/07/2020 10:25

I heard that you should book your test for a Monday or Tuesday as there's a higher chance of passing!

welldonesquirrels · 31/07/2020 10:27

This happened to me, I kept making stupid nerves-related mistakes that I wouldn't normally do. After a couple of fails I ended up with this absolute terror of driving tests. Years later I'm a safe and confident driver but I actually still get reflex sweaty palms driving around anywhere that's on my local test route.

In the end, I took the test in the next city over. It made a huge difference psychologically because it felt like a clean slate. It was probably a busier and more difficult test route but I wasn't driving with this constant inner monologue of "oh god this junction is where I stalled, this street is where I drove too close to a parked car" etc.

Maybe a change of scenery might be an idea if there's another test centre you can go to?

A lot of it is down to luck on the day. But you'll get there eventually, even if it takes a few goes.

chocolateorage · 31/07/2020 10:31

Sounds mad but eating a banana before stops your stomach churning!

TeFiTheMountain · 31/07/2020 10:33

Also beta blockers! It took me 5 goes to pass because I was so nervous. Like you I kept making silly mistakes as was so scared. Good luck!

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 31/07/2020 10:33

If you don't want to go down the beta blockers route try taking a couple of paracetamol before your test. That can take the edge off. Like a pp something happened at the start of my test that made me think I wasn't going to pass so I was fed up and went through the motions. I too passed.

Original poster
LadybirdInTheWindow · 31/07/2020 10:36

Practising is really hard because I can't afford any more lessons and learner insurance is really expensive.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadybirdInTheWindow · 31/07/2020 10:37

I do take beta blockers but haven't found they really helped sadly Sad

OP posts:
Farheatarse · 31/07/2020 10:39

@amusedbush

I passed third time (also in an auto). The key was not giving a fuck Grin

Seriously though, I was so hacked off with the whole thing. My lessons were great but I failed my tests on really stupid mistakes (one of which was an outright lie on the part of the examiner, and my instructor proved it with dash cam footage!).

I booked the third test last minute due to a cancellation; on the Friday afternoon I booked a test for the coming Wednesday morning. I just wanted it over with but about 10 minutes into the test I made another stupid mistake (drifted over the line slightly when I took my eyes off the road to check my left mirror Blush) so I thought I'd failed there and then. My nerves vanished, I was pissed off at myself and I went through the motions until we parked up back at the test centre.

When he said I'd passed my response was, "Really?? Thanks!" Grin

I concur...

I passed on third attempt, late booking so didn’t have ages to built up and panic. I was convinced I had failed after the first few minutes.
When I found out I had passed I spent the next few minutes trying to remind to the assessor all the mistakes I had made..

TashieWoo · 31/07/2020 10:40

I took Valium for mine, just a small dose as I needed something to help with the nerves. I wasn’t that nervous for my first test but failed due to something rather minor to do with road markings, but my second one was a disaster because I was terrified. Passed 3rd time with just 5 minors I think.

I went to the GP and took a very low dose, and trialled it on a couple of lessons with my instructor to confirm it didn’t send me to sleep!

TeaStory · 31/07/2020 10:40

I wish people would stop insisting that OP has to “practice”. I had the same thing when I was learning, it’s not always possible to practice because it’s really expensive!

OP, I used meditations, visualisations and not telling anyone when my test was booked for. I also chatted with my (lovely) examiner so I could relax and pretend it was just another lesson rather than a test. Tell yourself it’s another lesson, mentally view the test as some time in the future, allow yourself to relax and do what you have already demonstrated you are able to do.

Cooper88 · 31/07/2020 10:42

So I failed my first test in an auto, second test just after we left the test centre the examiner asked me to do a reverse parallel park, I hit the kerb slightly and my instructor told me that would be an automatic fail so I was convinced I had failed. After that part of the test I sort if went fuck it I've failed I'll enjoy the drive.got the shock of my life when I got back to the test centre and was told I passed 🤣🤣 apparently after I hit the kerb I drove 100% betterwhich is nice, so maybe if you kinda go fuck it, it may work for you??? Good luck any way, 3rd times the charm

Northernsoullover · 31/07/2020 10:43

You need beta blockers as has already been suggested. Absolutely phenomenal! I don't think I'd have passed without out them. I went from a nervous wreck who could barely control biting point because I was shaking so much to someone who took the examiner for a nice drive out for just under an hour.