Failed my driving test today

[2fast2upset]

1 major- use of speed, 0 minors.

I am absolutely gutted. I had the most perfect conditions- the most ‘calm’ route, no traffic, no tricky manoeuvres asked of me and I absolutely fucked it. I’m not going to have such an easy ride next time.

I was going 22/23 for too long in a 20 zone before correcting. I didn’t see the sign from the junction I emerged from and by the time I realised it was too late. there were no road markings and as soon as I saw the sign I corrected. The examiner remarked it was disappointing as it was just a moment too long, but he had to give it to me.

I feel like I have failed my DC. They start nursery and the plan was always to go via public transport but I feel so gutted that I have to drag them out of the house extra early in all weathers instead of having the option of the car. I can’t start my toddler swimming in the new year because I can’t get there.

my test is rebooked with the next availability for 5 months time. I’ve had to give notice to my instructor because I can’t afford any more hours and have already got into debt to pay for my lessons.

I’m lucky enough that I have my own insured car and my husband to supervise, I do all the family driving. I don’t ‘need’ lessons any more, but I’m just so upset I couldn’t see it through with my instructor.

I’ve paid for the testi apps and hoping to snap up a cancellation but I’m so scared of next time and failing again. I have so much going on and I just want to close this chapter behind me. All I want to do is drive 8 minutes for the nursery run and 9 minutes to the swimming pool.

why is the wait so long for tests? The stress of it being so long to have another crack is gutting.

I need a serious grip but I am so utterly upset. I’ve been in tears all day.

That's really shit. The wait is shit too. I hope you get a cancellation soon

That's really unlucky. The five month wait for a re-test is shocking too. Maybe try other nearby towns to see if there is better availability elsewhere?

I know it's so unfair. My instructor said to always go a few miles under the speed limit is best. I'm not ready for my test yet but hopefully soon. I had a 6 month wait for lessons and now there's a long wait for tests.
My cousin has just passed and she was checking everyday for a cancellation and managed to get one a week after her fail. 🤞 Good luck.

That's a major fault? that's unfortunate. Lots of people fail first time, I hope you get a chance to resit soon OP.

Also dangerous to go too slowly.

Thanks everyone. I feel ridiculous. I can’t stop crying. I know no one has died and nothing has really changed- I still don’t have a pink license…I just felt like the gods were smiling down on me today and I FUCKED it

People keep saying ‘oh, our jan had to take it 4 times!’ or ‘oh kev passed third time lucky’ but our jan and our kev were able to book their tests for 10 days after.

5 months! I can’t afford another £1600 in lessons to keep me test ready for 5 months.

i know I might get lucky with a cancellation but I’m just scared that it’s going to be so much trickier, busier, next time. I can drive (0 minors!!!!) but I do awkward things when I’m nervous and the pressure gets to me.

just GUTTED

Don't worry, my sister passed after 21 attempts 😂It took me three goes.

Hello! I just failed mine for the first time a few weeks ago with 2 serious mistakes which were almost 100% down to nerves. Like you I have 3 kids I have to drag out in all conditions and its horrific as they all go to 3 diff nursery/infants/junior.

I'm wondering why you failed on speeding as my instructor said that 10% over is fine. I think driving normally its 10% over + 2. I think that's a bit unforgiving.

Anyway the worst bit about failing for me was the lack of getting a test anywhere reasonably near to try again (which made my nerves worse too!). I felt absolutely rotten for the 2 weeks after failing, it really hit me hard so I know the desperation and frustration you feel.

Unfortunately I ended up researching extensively into the "black market" side of driving tests to get one sooner and have found 2 driving test resellers who are genuine (as in it isn't a scam and they do actually get you a test before you pay any funds) but they charge you around 100-180 quid for it. I loathe to put money in their pockets but walking in pouring rain to different schools with a 3, 6 and 7 year old is not the one. I couldn't face waiting till April to test again so I sucked up the cost and my morals.

Whereabouts is your test centre? If you do want a link to a reseller let me know (you can see my past post about learning to drive etc to see I'm not affiliated in anyway).

It's shit but the system is well and truly messed up and I don't have the time to wait around.

Terrible advice. You can fail for going too slow and I don't mean like a snail, but you definitely don't want to be going much under.

I also had a really easy route on my test and I just know I'm gonna get a really tricky route with something dodgy happening on my next go too!

Hi- I’m in touch with an agent already but I’m going to try my luck on testi and another app for 2 weeks. I will save this post and PM you if it doesn’t pan out because I’d rather have a recommendation.

good luck to you. Thank you for your kind words and understanding xx

Thing is if you didn't see the 20 sign so thought it was a 30 zone 22/23 would be too slow so not great either way.

Best thing is to just keep driving with a licensed driver accompanying you then book a few lessons immediately prior to the test just to refresh on test technique.

I hope you find one in the meantime but do give me a shout if not. I waited a couple of weeks but just couldn't find a thing despite refreshing the website every morning at 6am and none of the apps ever found me a cancellation.

I've just read your other posts since you original post and I relate so much... I was crying too! Ridiculous but it really gets to you doesn't it? I found my test more nerve wracking than giving birth or any exam I've done or interview. The failure feeling is just utterly shit.

5 seconds at 23 in a 30 zone is not a major fault in itself though. It becomes a fault when you inconvenience other drivers. It was 8.20 on a Sunday morning with no one on the roads.

anyway i thought it was safe to do above 20 as I knew a 20 zone was starting soon. I just wasn’t aware I was in it. We have looped back today and it really is unclear from that junction.

Unfortunately I can’t just ‘book a few lessons’ nearer the time- i‘ve had to give up my spot entirely. I can’t afford it. It’s a 6 month wait for lessons here.

getting a driving license is like the hunger games at the moment. I’m pleased we have strict criteria but the wait times and shortage of instructors make fulfilling the requirements so difficult.

its a Christmas miracle- I got a cancellation for 23rd December!!!!!!

You made one single mistake, not loads and even though it was classed as major, you weren't doing 40. Apart from one slip, you had a good drive, all your manoeuvres were fine, observations good etc.

You have a high standard of driving and I'm sure you'll pass next time.

I had my own car too and it took me 3 times to pass.Its so frustrating and upsetting.I passed 3 years ago now.
Good luck you've got this!

DP it’s all right, it happens!

For me: 1st test, got to the first junction roughly sixteen ft from the test centre, waited and waited and waited until I got so anxious I tried to go only for the test instructor to put the brake on. Had a panic attack and insisted on walking back.

2nd: in a large four wheel drive (I’m a small, slight girl). Perfect on everything but went slightly too slowly and talked myself through the roundabouts. Failed for excessive caution - four minors. That was it. Nothing else. Quiet, suburban neighbourhood.

Intervening time: involved in a crash with one of my parents driving said car.

3rd: tried in a different city with a mini. Four minors in different things incurred while in view of the test centre, due to being overjoyed because I knew I hadn’t made a mistake before that.

You are not alone!

Hadn't you driven the route beforehand? DD's instructor took her round all the test routes several times before her test - she could have driven them blindfolded and still passed.

@KnickerlessParsons that’s discounting the effect of nerves. Not the same area but I’ve had solos I can still sing a decade later. It didn’t stop my mind going blank with terror when I had to sing them in front of 1000-ish people.

That's great news, OP! I wish you all the best for the 23rd Dec :)

Wishing you the best of luck for 23rd

There's way too many test routes for them to do it around here. You must live in a high pass rate area

@KnickerlessParsons thats not really fair, doesn’t take into account any number of things such as traffic, nerves, other drivers etc.

She didn't fail because of traffic or nerves. She failed because she exceeded the speed limit.

Where we are, there about 5 routes you get taken on in your test (or a combination of them). DD drove all of them, over and over with her instructor and us to get familiar with them.
I assumed all instructors would do the same.