I passed the theory test first time. I passed the practical one on the fourth go.
The first time, I had a very nice examiner, but didn't look obviously enough (for his liking) on a roundabout with about five lanes, half a dozen exits and four sets of traffic lights to choose from.
The second time, I had a terrifying examiner who reminded me of a Maths teacher. I always hated maths... and then I got lost. I couldn't find the hospital that I was supposed to drive to in a maze of identical terraced houses with taxis outside... it's much harder when you have to learn to drive in a town that you are unfamiliar with, and with a scary driving examiner in the passenger seat.
The third time, my anxiety was too much for me. I complained that anxiety is very expensive to accommodate, given that I had to book more lessons and yet another test.
The fourth time, I must have done a reasonable job, but I was still amazed that I passed.
Since then, I have taught myself to drive on the motorway, use Google Maps to get anywhere unfamiliar, and have been to plenty of different places in my little car!