Hi
Thought I'd post an update to my thread back in December about my disastrous first driving test, where I picked up 1 dangerous and 7 serious, plus driving faults. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/chat/5225548-disastrous-driving-test-yesterday
Also failed 2nd and 3rd tests, with fewer faults each time but still a couple of serious at least. My lovely driving instructor was adamant I was ready but the nerves kept getting to me. I would just have a top up lesson or two in between tests, but otherwise practiced a bit when I could. Used beta blockers from 2nd test. For the 3rd and 4th tests, I also listened to a self hypnosis track on driving test nerves. I'm not sure what did it in the end. I took it really hard after failing my third test a month ago (panicked and overcorrected my reverse park at test centre at the end, and failed) and wondered if I was ever going to do it.
A week ago, I got a last-minute cancellation and took my 4th test yesterday morning. I was still nervous as hell but tried to think positive and just focus on one instruction at a time. The examiner was quite nice but a little stiffer than the others I've had, didn't warm to him as much. When I came to a stop and he showed me the iPad that said 'Pass', I burst into tears. I couldn't believe it; I never thought I would do it. When my instructor came over, and the examiner then said I had a clean sheet, I was in shock. So I went from that horrendous first test, where everything went wrong, to a drive with zero faults. My instructor told me afterwards that I also had the strictest examiner in the test centre, and if he found no fault with the drive, that was seriously impressive.
I'm SO HAPPY! Have not stopped smiling since yesterday. And I just want to thank everyone who was so lovely on that first thread I posted and told me not to give up. I can finally get more experience in my own car and be free! If you're going through it, don't give up. Whether it's fourth or eighth or tenth test, the point is if you can drive safely and get through the nerves, you deserve that pass.