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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:

Lemieux3 · 31/05/2023 13:50

I understand - took me over 200 lessons and 4 tests before I passed (even then only just).

Don't give up! It's the one thing you can't do. You will pass eventually!

Notajollyholly · 31/05/2023 13:57

Took me 3 goes. First time I failed on something small, 2nd I thought I'd done really well but about 10 metres away from the end of the test the examiner grabbed the wheel because I was too close to parked cars I remember feeling really cheated! The 3rd test I missed a turning and my 3 point turn wasn't up to my usual standard and thought I'd failed..but I hadn't! It was 41 years ago and I still passed before my 18th birthday so the tests were quite close together and much depends on what happens during your test. You can drive, don't give up

OddsocksinmyDocs · 31/05/2023 14:01

Itsanotherhreatday · 31/05/2023 12:09

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

With all due respect, your DD obviously failed her test previously becsuse of something she'd done wrong. Lots of people pass first time so you can hardly say they're in it for the money...

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 31/05/2023 14:14

Have a good cry, re-book and practice as much as you can. You haven’t let anyone down.

It’s just a driving test. Try an auto if you think it would help, I’ve got a manual licence but have driven autos for years.

DamnAndDashIt · 31/05/2023 14:21

Don't give up

My daughter passed on her 7th attempt- pre and post pandemic as well, so took bloody ages! I was so proud of her for not giving up.

And from the moment she finally got the pass certificate, she just got into her car and is the most competent and confident driver. While many of her friends are nervous about motorways, or travelling to somewhere unfamiliar, she'll just head off and go... cos she had so much practice I suppose 😂

Kendodd · 31/05/2023 14:25

Keep trying, keep trying, keep trying.
You only properly learn to drive after you've passed your test anyway.

FourFourOne · 31/05/2023 14:28

I just passed on my 4th attempt. As PP said, don’t give up, and book another test as soon as possible! I had big gaps between my first 3 fails, and I think that was detrimental. You are clearly very close to getting there so hopefully you won’t have to wait too long. Fingers crossed for you.

JimnJoyce · 31/05/2023 14:29

i passed on my 5th attempt

SOBplus · 31/05/2023 14:34

Its not necessarily you, the government has decided too many people are passing and pushing up requirements to ensure more people fail.

MadisonAvenue · 31/05/2023 14:36

Oh OP, have a good cry and then book another test - you’re SO close!

I’ve just had my 73rd lesson (plus practice in my own car) and haven’t been advised to book my test yet. I’m pretty confident (and competent) but my instructor is very much slow and steady wins the race.

Learning to drive is the most disheartening and frustrating experience of my life. Last month I actually pulled over at the side of the road during a lesson and sobbed for 15 minutes as I was so fed up.

Hoppinggreen · 31/05/2023 14:52

According to DD there is a 38% pass rate in our area

Northernsoullover · 31/05/2023 14:54

5th for me. It was so bloody frustrating but worth the perseverance.

Thoughtful2355 · 31/05/2023 15:04

I passed 5th or 6th time.

Couldn't believe I kept failing but nerves were bad, don't be disappointed.. with every fail just means more practice to ensure your babies are safe when you drive

Lemieux3 · 31/05/2023 19:15

Lots of people pass first time so you can hardly say they're in it for the money...

Not really true. I passed in 2007 and at that time only 8% passed first time.

SpringViolet · 31/05/2023 20:50

Keep on going OP. If you leave it you’ll find it even harder to get back into.

Will you have time to get another test in before you’re late in your pregnancy?

DD failed twice and was going to give up but I made her book another one straight away (4 month wait), added her to insurance on one of our cars on provisional licence which was only about £50 a month more and also covered using our car for test, no paying for more driving lessons, and we went out with her as much as we could so she could practice, practice, practice! She passed perfectly 3rd time.

Also if you’ve been taking the test in the same area, consider taking it in a another area, another thing DD did. Just make sure you drive around there to get used to it before your next test. It’s been said some areas have higher pass rates than others.

winewolfhowls · 31/05/2023 21:00

I failed about seven times because once I had failed the once ( on observation in a manouevre) I thought I was doomed and it was a self fulfilling prophecy! I'm so so glad I persevered because of the freedom I get from driving is immense. You got this!

OneRedLemur · 08/05/2025 23:44

My 3rd time in few weeks i failed twice on nerves only but now I am getting the @instructor to take the back seat.. I am glad I no this now . But the problem is the nerves **ima grown up and I feel like a kid ha and thanks for the advice

OneRedLemur · 08/05/2025 23:46

3rd time lucky here I come from taking taxi to the bmw

Superdupersomeone · 08/05/2025 23:59

I passed 4th time, I was fine in lessons but would just crumble under the pressure of the test and make mistakes I never normally made. I found it disheartening and draining but it is worth it. I had my instructor in the back when I passed, I did guided meditations on youtube and really REALLY engaged in positive self-talk which I think all helped. You need to find a way to take the pressure off yourself somehow.

I know a lot of people say switch to automatic but think carefully about this. If the gears/clutch are the things holding you back, then fine. But my problem was nerves and I'm so glad I persevered with a manual because auto cars are very few and far between to buy in my area, out of my budget anyway and can be so much more of a ballache if they go wrong.

You can do it 💪

mathanxiety · 09/05/2025 00:05

Don't let it get to you!

My DM passed after many fails and is still driving in her 90s.

mathanxiety · 09/05/2025 00:08

I agree with those suggesting an automatic. Fewer and fewer manual shift cars are being manufactured and if nerves are the problem, the automatic takes a lot of the pressure off. All you'll have to do is focus on road conditions and the instructions the examiner is giving you.

I learned in a manual and have driven an automatic for decades. The automatic is far easier to drive with children and in built up areas.

coxesorangepippin · 09/05/2025 02:15

I passed 5th time
The test is tough!

Keep in going op, it's so worth it!

SnobblyBobbly · 09/05/2025 02:23

I was 5th time lucky. Like you I failed a test (my 4th) when I was pregnant and I so desperately wanted to pass to make life easier for us.

I remember being all fat and sad, I cried for ages afterwards ☹️ BUT I tried again after the baby was born and I passed! And that time was wonderful! And you will too xx

For some reason, now is not your time, but it’ll come 🩷

SnobblyBobbly · 09/05/2025 02:30

@SpringViolet We’re in this situation with DD now.

Did your DD take the test in your car or did you use an instructor for test day? I’m debating whether to do away with the instructor altogether or retain them for the sake of the test.

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