Failed my driving test

[Buspassforever]

I'm 36 and have managed fine without driving but some major changes in circumstances are happening and I really need to be able to drive.

I've spent approx £2k on lessons as it took me a long time to get the hang of things, even in an automatic. Since driving lessons restarted this year I definitely turned a corner and made amazing progress. I've aced my maneuvers, good with positioning, speed and generally have a good understanding of the road.

I wasn't nervous at all but as soon as the test started I was overcome with nerves. My whole body was shaking, the examiner wasn't stern but not chatty. I was asked to put the window down and messed it up as I was shaking so much.

Ended up changing lanes on a roundabout I've driven 100 times before with no problem. Came home and cried all day and now I just feel so ashamed of myself and totally useless. I was pretty prepared for not passing first time but didn't expect to feel so awful about it. I've seen people mention kalms and beta blockers, I genuinely didn't even consider them as I don't tend to get nervous, until yesterday.

I failed mine in December. Same thing. Nerves got to me. It was awful. Never felt that way in my while adult life. I have also spent thousands! Taking it again in August. I’m just hoping more practice will help!

Aw, commiserations Happens to lots of people, please don't let it put you off.
Put in for another test as soon as you can, as they take ages to come through.

Should have added I went too fast through a narrow road and the assessor had to break. Also had 12 faults by that point so probably would have failed anyway!

I failed mine 4 times, passed on the 5th.

My poor DS must take after me he's failed twice next test is August.

Feel like crap today rebook your test tomorrow and keep moving forward with it. Good luck!

Thank you all! The next test available is in September! I've been told to get an app that finds cancellations so I'll do that tomorrow. I've booked my next lesson so I don't end up giving up.

@DiaryofWimpyMumm

I failed mine 4 times, passed on the 5th.

My poor DS must take after me he's failed twice next test is August.

Feel like crap today rebook your test tomorrow and keep moving forward with it. Good luck!

My brother bought 10 lessons and was test ready by the 5th! I'm the total opposite.

Look at it as a process - it's uncommon to pass on your first, now you've got the first try under your belt you know how you react and what you need to work on for the second (and third etc. if needed).

Onwards and upwards!

If it's any consolation, I failed my test first time around because I went through a red light.

I have now been driving for more than 20 years and am an EXCELLENT driver - never been in an accident or received any points and also drive rigid body HGVs. Keep going, you'll get there.

My DH failed 9 times due to nerves. He just couldn’t manage to shake them before or during the test and subsequently made stupid mistakes like failing to stop at a zebra or turning left when they said right. Nothing major but enough to cause a fail. He kept at it though and passed on his tenth attempt! You need to keep going, I know it’s demoralising but if you don’t try again the effort you have put in so far will have been in vain.

I failed mine twice. I was great with my instructor, as soon as the examiner (same guy each time, with an admittedly excellent taste in ties) got in and sat there in stony silence, I was completely freaked out and would basically not hear him asking me to take the next left.

Left it a bit and then passed on the third time (possibly because the examiner was different... or maybe because I was relaxed and unbothered!).

Oh and the fails absolutely destroyed me - I was a goody-goody kid who never failed ANYTHING because I worked so hard at it. But no - foiled by a bloody car! I'm a lovely driver now though, my passengers frequently doze off due to the gentle rocking

I failed 3 times and it was a miracle I passed on the 4th. She marked something as a major then scribbled it out and put a minor (phew).

Each time I was so nervous until the one I passed where I had Kalms beforehand.

I'm not very technical so it took me longer than most. Since then I've never had any points/fines or accidents so I can't be that bad.

I failed first time too, at 31. Passed the next time. Keep going, you can do it! Now you’ve been in that situation before, hopefully you’ll find it easier to control your nerves the next time.

Keep checking for cancellations, and booking some lessons while you wait it a great idea. Good luck!

Complete sympathies. I failed several tests in the same sort of way - totally fine in lessons, and fine up until the moment the test started and all went to pot. Silly mistakes I’ve not made before or since.

It is so frustrating when you know you are capable!

OP I was exactly the same - same age as you too! Such a horrible experience. If it helps, the way I failed was absolutely mortifying. On the first right turn of the test I totally misjudged the positioning and clipped the far curb with the left side wheel with a big clatter. It was such a stupid, wild error, something I'd never ever even done during a lesson, then I had to sit through the whole of the rest of the test struggling to hold back tears. Good news is I passed second time, you will get there, honestly.

I failed 3 times, twice in an automatic.

Eventually passed age 36

How frustrating, you are very much not alone. Don't beat yourself up.

Have a cry about it but in a few days, pick yourself up and get ready to try again. Don't allow yourself to be put off from something that will really enhance your life by this setback.

Each time it will get easier and eventually you will pass and the Freedom!

I too didn't pass until I was 37 - too cross about my first failure aged 19 to attempt again! Silly really.

@Buspassforever

Thank you all! The next test available is in September! I've been told to get an app that finds cancellations so I'll do that tomorrow. I've booked my next lesson so I don't end up giving up.

That's the spirit!

I failed five times due to nerves. Beta blockers got me through test number six successfully. Never been nervous driving since then!

I failed 4 times passed on my 5th, my DH, DD,DS all passed first time🙄 we all have different strengths

Please do not give up! Wipe your tears away, book your next test immediately and think positive. I passed on my fifth attempt. Yes, it was genuinely nerves. One friend passed fifth attempt too, but she needed beta blockers prescribed for the test. We all cope differently.💐

Think of the money you have spent. You can't just give up. Phew, so glad to read you have the next test booked in🙌

I failed my first. The second time I made my instructor wait at the centre which felt less daunting than havi g her sitting in the back. Before I set off I had an honest chat with the examiner about my anxiety and dyslexia - not being the best with directions or left and rights and how he could help by using landmarks instead and slowly repeating instructions. It was so helpful and I passed. Don't think of it as a fail, think of it as gaining experience. You've done it now so know what to expect.

Commiserations OP. And on the plus side you've done really well to get another test date as soon as September, but it gives you more time to practice (maybe holding your nerve more than the driving).

It's been a really hard time to learn to drive with all the stop go (no pun intended) of lockdowns and tiers (again, no pun intended!) and the fragmentation. Good luck next time and come back and let us know how you got on.

I passed 7th time. I’m a great driver. Never had an accident or had a speeding fine in 25 years 💪🏼
You’ll do it if you’re confident enough. My dh passed first time. He’s an awful driver, points, accidents, impatient, the whole lot. My face when dh drives 🙄