Failed my driving test ( again)

[Pyjamatimenow]

As above just failed my test for the fourth time. I tried years ago and had one test where I had no faults and one major, followed by two disastrous tests. I was really put off after that and didn’t have enough money to keep trying. Today after a year of having lessons I plucked up the courage ended up with one major and four minors. These were all in an automatic. I worked out very early on that a gear stick wasn’t going to be manageable. I’m quite an academic person but really struggle with physical/ practical stuff. Do I keep trying? I feel so down. I got a really easy test route today as well and a pleasant examiner. Disappointed with myself

Driving a bigger car is not any different to a smaller car 🤷‍♀️ It’s just different reference points when parking 🤷‍♀️

It took me a few attempts to pass my test many years ago and I still feel embarrassed about that. I'm a smart capable person FFS! However, driving like many things is its own skill and it can be quite random how people are failed one day and 'allowances' made another. I now think I wasn't ready the first two times and needed a lot more road experience. IMO it helps to be practising as much as possible in a similar car to the one you'll do the test in so it's a shame if you can't (or aren't allowed!) to use the family car.
It's not something I'd confess to most people for fear of them saying they passed first time blindfolded! Keep at it, OP, you'll get there.

Try again! It took my brother 6 goes, he's a very intelligent, skilled person but for some reason driving just stumped him at first.

My pal who is an instructor recommends trying to book the first test after lunch on a Tuesday, apparently it's the best time to maximise pass chances 😆 in all seriousness though keep at it, it's worth it!

DH and I both took our tests more times than that. We admitted we both hated driving a few decades ago and we have been happy not to own a car or drive for a long while now.

I failed my first test for this - the examiner should come to my very narrow street and tell me how I can drive further away from parked cars when pulling out!

Other than that you would have passed. This is bad luck not a disaster. Stick with it and you’ll get there.

make sure you are learning in the same car you take your test in - don't use any other car even for practice and especially not with DP or DC in the back! You will do this, will make you a better driver than someone who passes after a few lessons.

My private practice car was a big Land Rover with no modern extras like reverse cameras. It was the making of me, it made my driving instructors car much easier! Have another word with DH, you’ll have to drive it when you pass your test anyway x

I do think I need more practice on the roads. It doesn’t come naturally to me at all. I’m a terribly anxious person so that doesn’t help!

You can drive @Pyjamatimenow
otherwise your instructor wouldn't have put you in for a test.
Try to be positive and learn from today.
Remember every time you're out on the road, you're gaining more experience.
And today was just another lesson 🙂

Even for people like me who have been driving for years, every drive is a new experience, in that there may be new hazards to negotiate, different routes to take because of a road closure, diversions due to roadworks etc.

You (and @CeeJay81 !) can do this!
If possible, get out on the road more, at different times of the day just to gain more driving experience.
If you know of some test routes, try driving those for familiarity.

Good luck! You'll be glad you persevered! 🍀

I passed on my fifth attempt-don't give up!

I passed on my fourth attempt so keep going. You are constantly gaining more experience so will do it in the end.

Just thought I’d come back to say I finally passed! Really never thought I would!
I took dd to her dance class today in the car and thought to myself that I felt like a real mum now. Realise that’s silly as I’ve been a mum for 12 years but it meant such a lot to me to be able to take her in the car myself!

Aww amazing OP - Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Keep on going! I failed my test 4 times when I was about 20, then resat my test mid 30s failed the first time and then passed the second time.
Nothing worse than failing your test but you’ll get there!

Edified as just seen you passed!! Congratulations!!

Congratulations!!!🥂🍾

have you got your own little car or has DH got over himself enough for you to'his' 'bag car' ??

If you haven't got your own car yet, what's the plan?

I am not the most natural driver and failed my test 3 times. I would go to pieces completely on my test. Nerves so bad, my legs would shake, which isn't great for clutch control! I went to my GP and asked for Beta blockers. In my case I took them a day or so before my test and on the day. They are perfectly safe to take whilst driving, as it slows the adrenaline down in the body, and stops a person from becoming anxious. I passed on my 4th time! Don't give up. You probably don't need more lessons, it's most likely nerves. Go and see your GP!!

Amazing news @Pyjamatimenow ! Well done 👏🏻

@SpringIsSpringing25 DH was very good in the end and did take me out. Although we did squabble quite a bit with him in the passenger seat 🤣. I’m going to get my own car but in the meantime I’m driving his and going to have a few more lessons with my instructor as tbh I am a very nervous driver so I really need to work on my confidence. If anyone has any suggestions for a first car I’d be very pleased to hear about it! I’m clueless!

Keep trying. It took me four (in part due to moving area and not having familiarity with the roads/routes where I took my test).

I just got so nervous and yet I'm strangely calm in academic exams.

I finally got a lovely examiner who put me at ease. He asked me to pull up about five minutes in and I thought 'oh god I've failed ' but he said 'we'll just sit here a minute or two as I think you'll find it a lot easier when your legs stop shaking'.

It's bloody horrible though but one day you'll be able to laugh about it.

Sorry should have read your update. Well done!

Your confidence will come as you get more experienced. Part of the problem with the test is second guessing what they want you to do, especially if you've had minors for hesitation.

@Pyjamatimenow

I'm glad your DH stopped being a twat!!

your confidence will grow when you don't have the instructor or DH sitting in the passenger seat!!

enjoy your newfound freedom and sense of being a 'proper' Mum!! 😉

This is brilliant, well done!!
I’d go for something like a fiesta

Well done.
Im impressed you passed and impressed you managed to book a test.