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Original poster

Failed my driving test again :(

49 replies

Sssarad · 31/05/2023 12:02

I feel like such. Failure it’s getting me down. 3rd fail and I get only 1 serious fault each time which makes me wish I’d gotten more because I wouldn’t beat myself up so much

I have a son (luckily my fiancé/his dad drives) and pregnant with DC2 and I just feel like I let everyone down and that I’ll never pass

just. Needed to vent had to stop myself crying in the car with the examiner and my instructor !!!

OP posts:
quietnightmare · 31/05/2023 12:09

It's only your 3rd go and your pregnant your mind is probably not in it right now

It's not the end of the world

Brush yourself off and try again. Doesn't matter how many times it takes as long as you keep trying

Itsanotherhreatday · 31/05/2023 12:09

DD passed 5th time! I swear they are in it for the money.

3luckystars · 31/05/2023 12:12

Just keep going until you pass. My neighbour did it about 10 times and eventually bought an automatic car and passed in that, she’s a great driver now, she was just bad at the tests.

I’m sorry, that must hurt though .

do you like driving?

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Hoppinggreen · 31/05/2023 12:12

DD recently took her test and while she was in the waiting room an examiner came in, looked at a young man sitting there and said “are you back again? How many times is that now? 7 or 8?”
Apparently it was only 5 and he did pass that time (DD knew him)

Londono · 31/05/2023 12:15

Get the next test booked asap, you are clearly very close to passing. These things happen but you just need to pick yourself up again.

YogaLite · 31/05/2023 12:15

Treat it as a resilience practice, don't give up. So many times u have to scrape yourself off the floor in life that any practice of doing that would set u up for dealing with setbacks in the future.

clarepetal · 31/05/2023 12:15

Next time, Gadget....

Don't be disheartened, you'll get there.

viques · 31/05/2023 12:20

You will get there. I took a number of tests ( I don’t count the one where my instructor made me park in a multi story car park - none of the other instructors did). And I had one cancelled due to snow, I turned up willing, the cowardly examiners were the ones who cancelled, so I feel your pain, but got there in the end, even though on the last one the examiner asked me what the procedure was when approaching a roundabout, I rattled it off and he said “oh you do know it then! “ but passed me.

Ruibies · 31/05/2023 12:21

Passed mine recently on the 4th go, learning to drive was the most disheartening experience of my life. I also started learning while pregnant, and I definitely cried in the car back with my instructor each time! All I can say is don't give up, no matter how depressing it feels. You know the reasons why you are learning and once you've passed so many opportunities will be open to you. You CAN do it!

ChickenRat · 31/05/2023 12:21

I work for a driving school (I'm not an instructor) and we get a lot of students who are really good, safe drivers but just struggle with actually passing the test. It's often down to nerves, do you think that could be the case for you?

Taking more than 3 attempts to pass is not at all unusual so please try not to beat yourself up about it

23mum · 31/05/2023 12:23

Have you changed driving instructors? I changed to a different instructor who did like a weeks intensive crash course and passed at the end. You'll get there eventually don't give up

Woahtherehoney · 31/05/2023 12:26

I passed 4th time - each time I failed felt worse and I was so downhearted but glad I persevered.

not sure if you’re allowed now as I passed my test 13 years ago but I had my instructor sit in the back of the car on my tests (my 3rd and then the one I passed) which helped my nerves and she was able to help me really specifically on what I failed on and it worked as I passed!

IAteAllTheTomatoes · 31/05/2023 12:27

I failed mine a couple of times too and my driving instructor put it down to trying too hard, instead of relaxing.

I needed it badly for a work promotion at the time and just put too much pressure on myself.

When I finally passed, I told absolutely no one I was taking a test and had given myself full permission to fail again because if nobody knew it wouldn't count! Sounds bizarre but it worked and I passed it easily.

Don't give up, you aren't too far away from passing.

Dopey2dope · 31/05/2023 12:29

Woahtherehoney · 31/05/2023 12:26

I passed 4th time - each time I failed felt worse and I was so downhearted but glad I persevered.

not sure if you’re allowed now as I passed my test 13 years ago but I had my instructor sit in the back of the car on my tests (my 3rd and then the one I passed) which helped my nerves and she was able to help me really specifically on what I failed on and it worked as I passed!

Yes it's still allowed. DH did his a few months ago but declined his instructor going with him, but it was offered.

ejbaxa · 31/05/2023 12:31

Plenty of test centres are failing more than 50% of candidates and some are failing even more than that. Don't give up. My ds is 17 and taking his soon - a friend of his just failed as well. It's becoming quite run of the mill to take the test 5, 6, 7 + times

ThePensivePig · 31/05/2023 12:32

Took me 5 tries, but I got there in the end! I know it's horribly expensive, but keep at it if you can. It's demoralising though.

FoulFeetSmellSomethingHorrible · 31/05/2023 12:33

It took me a few goes, OP. I cannot remember how many now but at least 4.

Here I am, 20 years later and I LOVE driving. I'll happily drive a 300 mile round trip just for a day out. Later this year I'll drive 8 hours up to Scotland for the week.

Don't give up. Have a day to feel shit then pick yourself up and work towards your next try.

highlandspooce · 31/05/2023 12:34

Itsanotherhreatday · 31/05/2023 12:09

DD passed 5th time! I swear they are in it for the money.

I mean sure, we all work for the money. Nobody is 'in it' for fun. However, the demand for both lessons and tests is at an all time high. Who exactly is benefitting from your DD failing 4 tests? Not the examiners, not the instructors, so who?

Foxesandsquirrels · 31/05/2023 12:35

I passed 5th time! Don't stress. Its no reflection on you at all. Some awful drivers out there that passed 1st time.

BritishDesiGirl · 31/05/2023 12:53

I passed 5th time. You can do it!!

KeepSmiling89 · 31/05/2023 12:56

I passed on my 6th attempt (2 months before my theory test certificate was due to expire as well!)
Hang in there, it is frustrating, especially when it's only 1 serious fault but you'll get there :)

MrsHsGirl · 31/05/2023 13:21

You poor thing. It took me 5 goes, and I was devastated each time. You'll get there (and probably be a better driver for it!)

Florissante · 31/05/2023 13:39

My sympathies, OP. I hope the next time you're successful.

MooMooSharoo · 31/05/2023 13:47

Are your "major" errors consistent or are they different each time? (i.e. is there anything in particular you can focus on?)

If that's the only logged fault you're not doing badly at all - it's just bad luck or nerves or baby brain in this case.

I passed my test with no majors, but 17 minors! (My examiner was known for being an arse though - even my instructor was shocked when he passed me!).

Please don't feel disheartened. Maybe switch to an Automatic only if you haven't already - so many cars are autos now it's not as awkward as it was when I passed.

ByGrabtharsHammarWhatASaving · 31/05/2023 13:48

It took my friend 2 years and 9 tests to pass.

I only just passed a few weeks ago (I'm 35) and failed twice before finally squeaking through. Took me over a year of lessons at 2 hours per week. Some people are naturals I think and some take a bit longer. I was an extremely nervous learner and I truly believe if I can pass then anyone can!

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