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Original poster

Driving test tomorrow but I can’t drive

165 replies

Toottootbang · 14/09/2022 18:19

Do I cancel? There are still times (not often but at least once or twice a lesson) when my instructor has to brake for me or tell me to steer away from a parked car. My test is tomorrow. I’m not ready am I? I still can’t reliably reverse park either. I feel like crying. I have 1 hour before test tomorrow to somehow magically learn how to drive. Instructor says she thinks I’m ready. I just don’t see how.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 15/09/2022 10:00

How did you get on OP?

Insideallday · 15/09/2022 10:05

Good luck OP. I was 38 before I passed my test, third time, very nervous, avoided learning to drive until I had children and then realised I had to learn as my child would miss out on so much (live in suburbs with bad public transport).

I can say it was the best thing I ever did, I’m so glad I overcame my nerves and failing twice. If I do say so I’m a good driver now and couldn’t imagine my life if I didn’t do it.

MissMaple82 · 15/09/2022 10:20

On the lesson immediately prior to my test, the instructor had to grab the steering wheel and shouted at me that I'd never pass!...I burst into tears. I passed and I've now been driving for 15 years, no accidents, no claims, clean license. Have some faith, it could just be nerves but in the test you just go into test mode and crack on

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Driving & parking
BowiesJumper · 15/09/2022 10:20

some of the battle is confidence. Go in there being confident about what you can do well. Try not to worry about reverse parking. In my test I went in at the wrong angle and had to start again, I asked the tester if I could go again and he said, just do whatever you would do in a non test situation. because I did it calmly, stayed aware of my surroundings (ie looking in mirrors/over shoulder etc) it was fine and I still passed. You’re allowed some minors.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/09/2022 10:25

Toottootbang · 14/09/2022 18:30

But surely if the examiner has to tell you to alter your position on the day that’s a fail? I had a 5hour lesson today - I have had a semi - intensive driving course - and it happened 3/4 times. My manoeuvres are also hit and miss. Sometimes perfect sometimes I make an absolute hash of it. I know I might as well take the test but it’s a really deflated feeling

A five hour lesson is ridiculous, no one can concentrate that long when they're learning! My instructor made a point of not doing lessons longer than 1.5 hours for this reason.

It's booked now, do it and see it as a mock test.

LolaDrek · 15/09/2022 10:25

Good luck op. I took my driving test thinking I’d fail and It was good practise and I actually passed. Your instructor may be able to see something that you can’t. Normally they don’t suggest you take a test unless you’re really ready because they prefer to say people with them passed first time.

BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 15/09/2022 10:33

Hope it was better than you expected, op.

MrsMacnair · 15/09/2022 10:46

GuerlainHo · 14/09/2022 20:39

I would also mention to look into possibly changing your instructor?

I remember I was with one instructor for well over a year and I decided to take a break before my third test and then this time I went with a private local driving instructor (as opposed to the driving school I was learning with before) and I found my new instructor made driving seem so easy. He found a way of simplifying manoeuvres and roundabouts (that was my downfall) that I passed the test with ease.

Yes I was the same, Dh had decided I’d be better with a female instructor as I was nervous about learning to drive. But I didn’t feel like I was making any progress. She used to tell me off for not doing it her way. For instance feet on pedals, she wanted me to keep my heel on the floor and only use the top half of my foot to control pedals. Couldn’t do it as my legs are very short and only have size 3 feet, so would have to lift my whole leg. There were many instances like that. Not only that but she could talk for England and I felt that having the endless chit chat and gossip in my ear meant I wasn’t taking in what she was teaching me. I took a break at Christmas and had no desire to go back, I was ready to quit for good.

Dh convinced me to go and have a chat with on old friend of his who was now an instructor, I signed up with him and he was bloody brilliant!
If I couldn’t do something the way he was trying to teach me he would find another way, and would keep going till something worked.
we got on really well and made me feel relaxed. Even on the day of my test during my 2 hour lesson beforehand, I was getting really stressed so he made me pull over and told me to get out of the car. I thought he was stopping the lesson.

He told me to go and have a fag and take ten-15 minutes to compose myself. It worked, was able to continue without any further wobbles.
I passed first time with only a few minors (after thinking I’d failed completely in the first 20 mins of the test)

Wishing you good luck Op!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/09/2022 15:12

How did you get on OP?

Original poster
Toottootbang · 15/09/2022 15:51

Unbelievably I passed this afternoon. I think I drove the best I’ve ever driven.

OP posts:
HappyBinosaur · 15/09/2022 15:56

Congratulations 🥳

ScottishLavender · 15/09/2022 15:59

Well done!

sintrawest · 15/09/2022 15:59

Congratulations! Keep doing lots of practice in areas that aren’t too busy until you feel more confident (and safe!)

TooHotToRamble · 15/09/2022 15:59

Well done OP. Was thinking about you in my drive home today and wondered how you got on! Hurrah!

ApolloandDaphne · 15/09/2022 16:00

Congratulations!!!

30hourschildcare · 15/09/2022 16:01

After reading your thread yesterday, this has made me very happy. Congratulations!

JimmiChoux · 15/09/2022 16:07

Well done, that's great news.

beastlyslumber · 15/09/2022 16:08

Woo hoo! Well done! So you can drive, after all :)

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 15/09/2022 16:13

Well done OP that's awesome!

popperoo · 15/09/2022 16:21

Congratulations OP!! Knew you could do it! Just remember that your confidence will come in time, learning to drive opens up a whole new world, it's amazing!

pensionconfusion · 15/09/2022 16:33

Congratulations 🥳 I knew you would. Well done 👍🏻

Maymaymay · 15/09/2022 16:50

Please just try it !!! A good instructor will keep feeding back a lot to help you learn, remember your driving does not have to be flawless, just safe, my instructor was still correcting minor things before i passed. Think to yourself you will do it for the practice as its too late to cancel anyway. My night before tips were to listen to a mindfulness playlist and tell yourself over and over to only think about what is in front of you during the test. DONT let your mind wander just look at the road and think ' be safe, be safe, be safe'. And Just go with the goal of practicing the test, you'll be one step closer to passing either way.

Maymaymay · 15/09/2022 16:51

Really should have read the last update 🙄 haha, well done OP

DinaofCloud9 · 15/09/2022 17:21

Yay well done! You need to have a bit more faith in yourself.

Surtsey · 15/09/2022 17:23

Oh ye of little faith! Flowers

Well done you, and keep on driving now. Plan all sorts of short journeys to places you already know and get some practice in.