I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself!

[PassportPhotosAreHorrific]

And it's for a reason that many would find prosaic - I passed my driving test!

It's been an ambition for years and I'm so excited to be able to take my son swimming, or pop to the shops etc.

I'm rubbish at celebrating myself. I always move the goalposts - like I've said to myself in the past, 'i'll buy myself an expensive handbag when I finish my degree' and that turned into 'when in finish my MA', 'when I finish my PhD' etc. I'm the queen of deferred gratification.

So much so that I now have this thing that I want to shout from the rooftops and I don't quite know what to do with myself!

What are your suggestions Mumsnet? How can I mark the day and exercise my excitement?

Congratulations

A nice lunch somewhere? Are you insured to drive?

Well done! 🍾

Treat yourself to a full tank of petrol and hit the road 😆

Huge congratulations 🙌

Congratulations 💐
You will have so much more spare time and freedom .
A nice drive in the countryside / seaside then drive through Maccies and a car picnic !

Whoop, whoop, whoop! Well done 👏

Aww, thanks everybody! No car yet, I need to buy one this week (hopefully). I might do some browsing online today, that could be part of my celebration day.

I passed a couple of days ago and I keep waking up feeling so joyful but no idea what to do with that 😂 But I've decided today is celebration day, so really looking forward to your suggestions.

Congratulations 🎉 Well done you 👏

Congratulations! Passing my driving test is one of my proudest moments.

It didn't come naturally to me and it just seemed like I might not get there.

Its opened so many doors for me job wise, but also holiday wise, and even i met my wife when she lived far enough away that I'm not sure we could have dated if I didn't drive.

That feeling of freedom, of going where you want and when you want (and not according to a bus timetable!) Is priceless

I celebrated by driving to a nice pub

Is there anywhere you've wanted to take your kid but struggled to? I wouldn't go today but I'd book it in to celebrate

@tsmainsqueeze "You will have so much more spare time and freedom"

That's probably the main reason I'm so over the moon actually. I hate wasting time but live rurally so have to hang around places for a lot longer than I want to for buses/trains that sometimes don't turn up. I can't believe that phase of my life is over.

Oh well done, that’s amazing news. 👏🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations!! Rip off the L plates and go for a drive all by yourself!

@Meltedbrains "It didn't come naturally to me and it just seemed like I might not get there."

Same! I stopped and started with about three different instructors and it didn't feel like something I could do. This time I decided I was definitely, definitely doing it, but I still had zero faith in myself. I couldn't believe it when the examiner said 'You'll be pleased to know, you've been successful'. Shock!

Oh just saw you don’t have a car yet. Just bask in your feeling of accomplishment - not being sarcastic, it’s a huge achievement. So many options when you can drive with work, holidays, independence. Even ‘small’ things like taking yourself in your own car to the dentist!

Well done. It's an achievement not to be sniffed at, especially with the amount and variety of traffic. It took me five attempts but I made it - 32 years ago today, 22 June.

Amazing!

Sometimes when people just "got" it at 17 then they don't see how massive it is.

Genuinely it was harder for me than my masters degree!

I also never thought I'd find it easy even after I passed. Genuinely now driving isn't even a factor in my head, I don't worry or think about it all. I've driven all over (inc 15 hour drives to the wilds of Scotland) without even realising

I wish you a life of open roads, road trips, drive throughs and taking the scenic routes

Oh amazing!!!
I didn't learn till my thirties, it was such a shock to finally be able to drive.

I think you should buy yourself a fancy keyring - ready to pop your car keys on!

YESSSSSSS! Nice one @PassportPhotosAreHorrific !

Oh, and a nice meal out! With lot of booze. (Taxi home though!) 🚙

Congratulations, it’s such a great achievement. I remember 40 years ago my first few drives after passing and smiling at other drivers because I was now in the club.

Get some treats delivered, with some fizz, because you won’t be drinking alcohol when you’re driving.

Congratulations! It really does make a difference.

@Meltedbrains "Is there anywhere you've wanted to take your kid but struggled to?"

Definitely! He's three years old and despite me being a total water baby, I haven't taken him for the swimming lessons if love for him to do because where I am (super, super rural), it's just a faff on public transport. Also, I love the beach but i'm 25 miles inland so it would be amazing to just pop to the beach for him and it not be an all-day ordeal on public transport. I think my basic plan for my immediate future (and my son's) is to seek out water 😂

Congratulations! Buy yourself a piece of jewellery to mark the occasion, so when people ask you where you go that locket/bracelet from, you can experience the joy all over again, telling them it was a present to yourself for passing your driving test.

And yes, take your son to the beach!! You can take a parasol and a picnic - enjoy!

Ooh yes, I love the jewellery idea!