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Original poster

I have my 4th driving test on Wednesday…

42 replies

backaftera2yearbreak · 01/01/2022 21:55

Does anyone have any coping strategies? I get so nervous which is a large part of the problem. Spiral roundabouts…also an issue but I think I have it sussed now.

Anyone else who failed a few times want to tell me how they got through it eventually?

If I fail again I’m looking at a long wait for the next one 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
Mumteedum · 01/01/2022 22:01

Ha...I passed on 4th test many moons ago. I had bad test nerves. I think what eventually helped was that I had a properly horrible examiner. He made me go round the ring road doing 5 roundabouts. Then manoeuvres in housing estate. Then all the way back round the ring road with elevety thousand more roundabouts. I think I passed just to spite him! Gringood luck 🍀

Chunkymenrock · 01/01/2022 22:02

Bach Rescue Remedy taken repeatedly beforehand.
Visualisation night before. See yourself confidently dealing with everything that comes up and effortlessly passing.
Give yourself a talking to in the mirror before you go. (Now look here you. You know you know it, just get out there and show them you bloody well can drive brilliantly. You are not to let a few nerves put you off....) That sort of thing!

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 01/01/2022 22:03

Haha thank you! I’ve been learning to drive for so long it would be so useful to have a licence. It’s stressful though! Thanks for sharing

OP posts:

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Driving & parking
Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 01/01/2022 22:04

I need to get some rescue remedy for sure!

OP posts:
Lentil63 · 01/01/2022 22:05

I passed on my fourth attempt so did my younger son. He and I got very nervous. Just do your best, you’re probably already a better driver than many on the roads…
Let us know how it goes.

FantasticButtocks · 01/01/2022 22:07

I took six tests, and the best advice I got was on the last one, which I passed. Instructor told me to drive as if I had a 98 year old woman in the car and didn't want jolt her.

Shallwegoforawalk · 01/01/2022 22:07

A friend of mine was doing very well in lessons but just went to pieces in the tests. She ended up getting something from the docs to just calm her down short term and she passed no problem - 4th time! I want to say beta blockers but may not have been quite as strong.

Notwithittoday · 01/01/2022 22:09

Yes they can prescribe beta blockers. I was given them for my test

emsmar · 01/01/2022 22:09

Try remember the examiner only wants you to prove you are competent in driving, you don't need to be amazing! You only really learn once you are out driving on your own. Check mirrors loads and loads! Just prove to the examiner that you're not a danger to other road users basically! You're probably over thinking it all. Best of luck x

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 01/01/2022 22:12

Beta blockers may have been good but the test is at 8am so the docs will be shut.

I need to get my shit together. I so want I do this. I could do all sorts of activities with my son and not be reliant on buses!

Loving all the suggestions!

OP posts:
slapmyarseandcallmemary · 01/01/2022 22:17

I passed on my 4th attempt 2 years ago. I was passed by the examiner who had failed me on my 3rd attempt. I think I just thought sod it, I'll just do my best, I e failed it 3 times now, let's just see what happens. I ended up with 7 minors, u think, but I couldn't believe it when she told me I had passed. Good luck ☺️

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 01/01/2022 22:19

*I've
I not u 🙈

FatCatThinCat · 01/01/2022 22:21

Just tell yourself it doesn't matter if you pass or fail. You'll pass it eventually, on the 99th attempt if necessary. You'll be a lot calmer if you can move you head away from the all or nothing feel of doing the test.

Phoenix76 · 01/01/2022 22:58

@Chunkymenrock

Bach Rescue Remedy taken repeatedly beforehand. Visualisation night before. See yourself confidently dealing with everything that comes up and effortlessly passing. Give yourself a talking to in the mirror before you go. (Now look here you. You know you know it, just get out there and show them you bloody well can drive brilliantly. You are not to let a few nerves put you off....) That sort of thing!
I agree with this. I used to be a driving instructor. I never put anyone forward for their test until I believed they were safe and competent. All the examiner wants to see is that you understand the Highway Code and drive in a safe, competent and legal manner, basically how you would like to feel as a passenger. They’re not trying to catch you out. You can totally do this, you’re ready for it, it’s only your nerves getting in the way, just take them for a nice drive. I know it sounds crazy (believe it or not, I suffered terribly with exam nerves despite knowing I was ready) but try and enjoy it, tell your brain it will be fun!
AlwaysLatte · 01/01/2022 23:03

I passed fourth time (finally got a diving instructor rather than an older relative who was out of touch with what the test entailed). Best bit of advice I had was to remember you're just giving the instructor as your passenger a safe ride. Rather than think about being scrutinised. And watch all the signs and road markings.

SkippettyDoDah · 01/01/2022 23:05

Also passed on my fourth attempt - hope it's the same for you!

AlwaysLatte · 01/01/2022 23:05

And turn your head slightly when you check the mirrors (often). I tilted mine so I had to move my head.

AlwaysNapTime · 01/01/2022 23:08

I passed 4th time. Nerves got me everytime. I think what did it for me was the fact I got a cancellation so I didn't have time to overthink. Its so hard but my advice would be to just relax. It sounds stupid but I honestly think because I didn't have time to stress/get worked up about it I was more relaxed through the test.

FireworkParrot · 01/01/2022 23:09

Good luck OP, you will definitely get there. I passed 4th time as did DH and we're both good drivers now. I think I just said to myself "I've got nothing to lose, let's just see how it goes and go on a nice drive" and weirdly trying to distance myself from it kept me calm and I then passed.

AllLopsided · 01/01/2022 23:16

I passed 4th time, 20+ years ago in my 30s! My driving instructor recommended rescue remedy. May be too late for you now but I think two other things helped - lots of practice with my MIL in her easy-to-drive small car during the previous weekend and my instructor taking me around the test route area a lot, so I knew the tricky bits. I had the same examiner for 3 tests. On the one I passed, I thought I'd failed because I made too many moves on the reverse parking. He was really nice and told me to forget what I'd just done and concentrate on what was to come. That was good advice too, obviously! So if you think you've screwed up, try to forget it and move on - it may just be a minor fault. Good luck!

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 01/01/2022 23:21

The thing is just now, because of covid they take you back as soon as you fail so I will have an idea of how I’m doing. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.

OP posts:
ellephant · 01/01/2022 23:26

I like the sound of that method, less time wasting if you do fail. I believe I passed 3rd time, though I remember doing one of my tests knowing that I'd failed and having to continue, which was just annoying really.
Good luck, drink a small glass of water beforehand to quench the adrenaline a bit.

Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 01/01/2022 23:45

Some great advice. I really just need to get myself into the right head space

OP posts:
Original poster
backaftera2yearbreak · 05/01/2022 08:37

Well. I failed. Again 🙄

OP posts:
Mumteedum · 05/01/2022 13:14

Nooooooo! Sorry to hear that. What happened?