Disastrous driving test yesterday

[beezlebubnicky]

Took my first driving test yesterday, I've had over 80 hours of tuition, my instructor agreed I was ready and I've been driving really competently and safely and managing my mock tests well. Had an 8am rush hour test and everything went from bad to worse, I didn't feel that nervous initially but it was just a shit show. Did a right turn out of the test centre onto a busy road, took ages to get out and that had me rattled from the start. Then it got worse, traffic got busy and of course that's no excuse, but it was so stressful.

I drove in a way I never do during lessons, and ended up with 1 dangerous, 6 serious and 5 or 6 other driving faults. I even messed up the right reverse which I've never not managed easily; I knew I was too far from the kerb but I just kept going anyway, I'd given up. My dangerous fault was for trying to get out at a busy junction, kept looking left and right and when I went out there was a lollipop person who stepped back, suddenly a car surged forward and me and examiner both hit the brake at the same time. Also tried to hold back for a coach & it didn't have enough room to get past me. Failed for positioning, never normally have problems with that.

It could literally not have gone worse. The examiner was nice though and said he could tell I was nervous and my instructor wouldn't bring a student to test who wasn't ready. I cried all day yesterday and it was just so humiliating. I was prepared to potentially fail my first test, but not to get so many faults. I really just wanted to give up on the whole thing.

I'm not giving up and prepared to work on all the things I got a fault for , but I can hardly stand the thought of having to go through that again. I feel sick at the idea. I did breathing, mindfulness, got a good sleep, Rescue Remedy etc before test but just went to pieces anyway.

Did anyone else have a terrible test and then go on to pass?

On my first test I did nearly everything right, only a few minors and then was so focused on pulling out at a junction that I missed the speed signs on the road before I pulled out. Had a van right up behind me so was worried I was driving too slow and did 40 in a 30 🙄. Passed second time. Although almost failed straight out the centre because I got stuck behind a parked lorry and someone overtook me and the lorry because he was too impatient to wait. If one more car had gone I would have failed. Also went into the wrong lane on a roundabout because I misunderstood her instruction but because I checked my mirrors before moving lanes it was fine.

I understand why they're so strict with it but obviously we all make mistakes as drivers and have days where we stall, block roads, make the wrong decisions because there are too many things happening at once.

I'm sure you'll get it next time. Maybe just practice driving around those times before your test so you feel calmer in high pressure situations.

Good luck

Aw @LegoHouse274 I really hope you can go back to it sometime.

@Freysimo What a start to the test and well done for passing anyway!

It is heartening to know so many of you have had similar experiences.

Have you done much practise in busy rush hour conditions? That is something worth doing.

I failed my first test significantly at 17 but passed a few months later.

Don't view it as failing so much as keeping you and other road users safe. You have to be able to drive safely under all conditions.

I know that getting a test date is really difficult at the moment, but if you can, try to get one about 11am. Did that for my kids as there's no rush hour traffic, school drop offs or kids mucking about on the way to/from school. I think the time of day really affects the conditions. Good luck.

My first test was awful - I'd done one of those stupid courses where they promise to pass you in 2 months or something (the idea being I'd get it all sorted over the summer holidays before heading back to uni). It was a nightmare- the instructor was really stroppy and shit. Now I'm older I'm pretty sure he was hungover during most of our lessons which were mainly on Saturday mornings. My first test I was ridiculously unprepared and had 11 minors and 1 major. I felt awful. Anyway, despite being offered discounted further lessons, I went to a different driving school and did some more lessons with a lovely instructor who was very supportive and understanding. I passed second time with only 2 minors and was thrilled! Sounds like traffic conditions and nerves were to blame for you - I'm sure you will ace it next time!

I had a similar time with my driving test - I failed the first two and got in a total flap both times, really anxious and then really upset afterwards. I ended up going to the gp who prescribed me a beta blocker (propranolol) to help with the nerves and physical anxiety symptoms while doing the test - apparently lots of people use it prior to anxiety inducing events, like public speaking.

I passed the next time as I felt totally calm throughout the test.

@SoupDragon Yep, pretty much all my lessons have been rush hour between 4 and 6pm owing to working full time. Have a lot of experience with packed roundabouts, busy junctions and meeting situations. But I haven't done the school run time very often. Agree with you, I definitely want to be a safe driver and I accept this result means that I'm not one yet. I'll keep practising.

@Matcha107 Might be time to break out my bisoprolol for the next test (it's a more selective one - I can't take propanolol due to being asthmatic). Couldn't hurt, especially if I start it a week or two before.

Ah, don’t worry. I stopped halfway through mine and asked to go back. I’ve always thought of the first test as a trial run.
Passed with flying colours, no faults, a few months later and have been driving without incident and with a clean license for over 30 years.
You’ll get there.

Yes I failed my first, with a dangerous, couple of serious and 7/8 minors. Like you I made a huge error as soon as I left the test centre. Took a corner wrong and mounted a curb (I have never done anything like that before ever!), then later in the test he told me to go straight on in the right hand lane, you could only go right but I tried to go straight on, he grabbed the wheel and braked 🤦‍♀️. It was awful! My instructor insisted I rebooked straight away, so I did. About 4 weeks later (this was a long time ago when tests were easier to come by) and passed with 3 minors. Keep going don’t give up. Your instructor knows you’re capable.

Bless you, OP. You will get your licence and this will all be a dim and distant memory. Dust yourself off and book in again asap.

I have six driving tests under my belt. SIX. The five proceeding the last were spectacular fails too. I've been driving (safely) for nearly 40 years.

You will pass.

My friend crashed the car into a bollard in her test. The examiner made her pull over, then said "I am terminating this test in the interest of public safety." He then got out the car and left her there, alone, until her instructor came to get her about 20 minutes later.

I failed first time too, OP, and cried uncontrollably for the rest of the day! It was the first time I'd failed anything in my life and I felt so humiliated that I couldn't seem to do this thing that other people could do so easily.

Anyway, I passed second time and I'm sure you will too. Keep going!

Oh love it's ok. My first driving test I had failed before I even left because I was so nervous I forgot to check my mirrors. It took me four attempts to pass.

But you sound ready it's just it was the rush hour and you were nervous. The rush hour is hard to drive in even when you've beed driving for decades

Get your next test booked soon. You will pass!

Oh, driving tests. Possibly the hardest tests of my life and I'm a medical doctor!

I failed thrice, but the first time has to be the worst, as I somehow drove on the wrong side of the road.

10 years on and I can laugh about it, but I remember feeling like I'd never pass.

I passed on my 4th attempt. I didn't apply to do it until I was ready, and my driving instructor agreed. I had numerous faults, but only a few more serious ones. I even failed 3rd one, as they thought I was being hesitant at a junction, and one that joined to the road I was on. I was probably being 'too kind', and waited to see if they wanted to join said road. They didn't in the end, and the examiner wasn't too impressed. On the 1st test, I had to break a little harshly. I did have my foot on the break etc., but the examiner put their foot down too. (Instant fail, but I was never going to go through a crossing, and not break on 1st test). The most embarrassing one was ridiculous... Well, I had never been up this road before, and they didn't instruct me as to what direction to turn at the end of the road. I hadn't noticed any road signs/or markings. I sat debating whether to turn left or right, as they would not tell me. I just wanted to know to stay safe/keep other drivers safe. So, I turn right, and nearly instantly regret that. I get looks from 1st drivers to my right. I had turned right, but hadn’t realised the other road was actually one way. Knew I had failed, so don't know how I didn't quit on the drive back to the test centre.
Don't be discouraged. I suffer from anxiety too. Infact, I currently can't drive. I have recently had to hand back my driving licence. I have in the past few weeks been diagnosed with a type of cancerous brain tumour, at stage 4 - which makes it an aggressive type. I don't think I will be driving for quite a while, if I will ever be able to again. I had been having seizures, just before what my condition is was found out.

No one is perfect. 'Perfection' can't be achieved, so knowing you will pick up some faults helps. However, I swear things always pop up during your test. Things that you don't get stressed over on your lessons. I lost count of how many lessons I had... I know it was a lot, but it should not matter how many you have before passing. It's not a blooming competition, although others can make you feel like it is.

I failed mine for pulling out at a junction in third gear. I still think it was really unfair though! I pulled it off with no grinding, no shuddering, no lurching or anything! I was quite impressed with my clutch control and hoping she hadn't noticed.

I'm actually not convinced she would have noticed if she hadn't been looking. Engine was a bit loud but not roaring.

You’ll be ok

i had 10 years driving experience when I came to the U.K. I needed to get a U.K. license so had to take a few lessons and do the test

i failed 3 times! With 10 years driving experience in “developing countries” 😬 where traffic is hairy. It made my driving technique too “ging ho” and I needed to learn a different driving style (British!)

i would just say that your only mistake was to get stressed about busy traffic and it taking ages for you to pull out. That is not a fail, you see, or your problem. There being lots of traffic and you having to wait a long time is actually good as it means less driving and less chance of mistakes 😄 You do not get marked down for there being a lot of traffic and going slowly and waiting a long time

so get rid of the idea that there is a rush

just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and do it again

My father must have been nearly 40 when he passed first time. Worst driver ever. Husband and I agreed our kids would never go in a car with him driving.

Can you try a different test centre, smaller town, maybe? And try to get a lunchtime slot or just after —2pm-ish.

I completely funked up my first test. The examiner asked for details of the instructor because he was getting concerns about him (I hadn't been the first...)

My second test was over a year later (different 0lace, different instructor).the examiner looked at my address, asked if my husband was about to be deployed (Army, near a militarybase where it was known the regiment was about to leave for Afghanistan)...... and I'm pretty sure there was a couple of mistakes ignored so that I scraped a pass (there wete some scribbling out on the transcript). One of my minors was for speeding.

Over 10 years later, no accidents etc... my driving definitely improved as I got more confidence

Hang in there.

Aw OP don't worry! On my first test I was 17 and not nearly confident enough. I almost crashed head on into another driver (100% my fault) the examiner had to yell at me to stop. 20 years later I can still remember the other driver's face and honestly I go cold remembering it all. I was inconsolable. You sound far better than me!

My 2nd test was much better but I still failed 😂 then I passed 3rd time. Not had a single accident and I really enjoy driving (without my toddler in the back ha)

You'll get there, it's a dreadful feeling when it goes badly but you've got to just try again. Little tip: next time don't tell any friends/family you're doing the test, then if you fail you don't have to admit it or re-tell it to anyone! 😊

I crashed into another learner driver on my first test and passed on my second. I can look back and laugh now but was devastated at the time 🤣

This thread seems to have really struck a chord with people - I can't thank you all enough for sharing your experiences. I really am feeling much better, just trying to find another test for mid or late Jan which is tricky. Unless I score a cancellation I'm looking at June 2025.

And I hope it helps someone else who searches up 'disastrous test' in the future when theirs goes badly, to know they're not alone.

Conversely I passed first time with no faults at all - but was a terrible driver. My last lesson before the test I nearly drove the wrong way down a dual carriageway!

I stalled getting out of the test centre (it was on an incline - who thought that was a good idea for a driving centre?), so was convinced I'd failed. I spent the whole test completely chill and relaxed (if a bit annoyed at myself), planning on what a funny story it was going to be "could have only gone worse if I'd run the instructor over in the car park, haha," followed by "absolutely typical, the only time I've done the manoeuvres perfectly was when I've already failed." My first question when we got back to the centre was "How long is the waiting list at the moment to book another test?" and was literally gobsmacked when he said "Why, you passed this one?"

Not saying this to brag, (it's not really anything to brag about, as everyone else has said, when you pass your test has no bearing on how good a driver you are) just to illustrate that it's so often a confidence/luck issue (I had another friend who was a great driver but failed because a sheep jumped out in front of the car without giving him time to stop - car had to be towed back - sheep got up and walked off unscathed 😁) rather than a technical/skills/knowledge one. If I hadn't assumed I'd already failed I'd have been so nervous doing the rest of the test there's no way I would have driven as well as I did.

So I would suggest trying to build that up. Do you have anyone who would be willing to take you out, so you get used to driving with someone who isn't your instructor? Or maybe look to see if there is any medication (even just something herbal), or whatever you can take? Or just do a few more practices around the local area so you know all the routes well? And book for a quieter time if possible, even if it means taking longer to get a test.

It's not disastrous if you didn't crash.

I know a man who turned up drunk for his test and punched the examiner.

Thanks @another1bitestheduck I used to go out with my husband at the beginning but didn't help, I find his souped-up car tricky to drive and it made me even more stressed. I'm definitely not lacking in hours behind the wheel, I've sunk £££ into this but it sadly looks like I still need more. Considered getting my own car and having DH take me out again, but I can't really afford to buy one or to find the running costs on top of lessons. I'll spend more time on the test routes with my instructor and go for beta blockers a week or two before the next test.

@Dobest Did they get a ban from taking future tests after doing that? 😂