Driving test tomorrow

[Loomis]

It's my fifth test tomorrow. I took the first three back in 2019 and just gave up once I failed the third but decided now I really do need to restart. Every test I've done I've got 1-2 minors and then 1 serious, always for something completely random and stupid that I've never ever done on a lesson. The last one was for forgetting to turn off my indicators. Never ever done that before. I've tried beta blockers, bananas, box breathing, pretending I'm a taxi driver, commentary driving, having my instructor in the car, chewing gum, therapy and hypnosis, rescue remedy and kalms. You name it I have tried it. I have taken mock tests with unfamiliar instructors to get me used to having strangers in the car, I do private practice all the time. I have passed every single mock test I've ever done and yet in the real test I just fall completely to pieces. It's like a very extreme form of performance anxiety.

I am already driving an automatic, doesn't make a difference to the nerves.

I am on the verge of cancelling tomorrow's test rather than put myself through this fucking humiliating ritual again. I'm crying my eyes out right now. Please be kind.

Thank you for all your kind words everyone. I'm trying to be philosophical about it. I just feel so humiliated when the examiners talk to you like you're stupid. Feels like I'm being told off by my Dad.

I'm 51 and don't drive.

I started lessons in the 90s at age 18, hated them, got shouted at by my teacher all the time - she once mumbled "some people just shouldn't drive" (well then fucking TEACH me!) and then my dad died, and my mum couldn't afford the lessons on her own, so I had to stop.

I only started trying again in my late 40s! Hired a teacher (after many months of waiting as there was such low availability) and he was an absolute arse. He was always texting and reading his phone in my lessons. I nearly went into a kerb once because he was texting. He kept saying how all his female students wanted him (!).

Now my partner is teaching me and I have my test soon. But I tried night driving the other day and found it spectacularly hard. Knocked my confidence massively.

I wish you the best of luck and PLEASE don't cancel! What's the worst that can happen?

Please try and update us 💐.

Fingers crossed for you, well done for persevering!

Worse that could happen is failing again and my confidence is knocked even more than it already is.

It sounds that your feelings are not about your ability to drive, even if you fail the attempt.

It is about the examiners lack of ability to be a decent human being.

Sad truth, but important difference.

Go there. Try to get the test. Either it will work or it won't.
The examiners behaviour is their own.

I know, and tbh I absolutely hate it. When my partner says "right, let's go out for a practice drive" and throws the keys to me, I want to vomit.

My sister has been driving since 1993 and she says she hated lessons and the test, but she's fab at driving now. Everyone tells me they don't think twice about driving now, and it's apparently as easy as brushing your teeth. 🙄

I've been driving 18yrs+ and I hate driving at night. So don't let it knock your confidence. I avoid it at all costs if I can.

I passed on my 5th test, all the first 4 were with the Head examiner & the one I passed with was with a lady, I got more minor faults on the test I passed on than in all the other 4 combined.

The stupidest thing is is I'm actually quite a confident driver, it's specifically the test that kills me!!

I'd take 12 minor faults at this point as long as I could avoid a serious 😂

Nerves did it for me too. I finally passed at 37. I would get in my head about how life changing my license would be for my family, but the last time I reframed it: just a drive, and think of nothing except the instructions and the road. It worked. Good luck!!

Sadly failed for driving too slowly on a stretch of road after a roundabout. I must have missed a speed limit change, I still don't even really know where this was. Oh well. Next time.

Gutted for you OP, I thought of you this morning! Please try not to get disheartened - I was a late driver and on the last fail before I passed I very very nearly gave up. Now I drive every day and I’m so glad I carried on. Rebook as soon as you can, you can do this!!

Hey op, sorry you failed but please dont give up! I only just passed February aged 36 took me 3 goes.

I took my instructor on my test which helped as he was awesome.

Is that an option for you?

Oh I'm sorry OP! Stupid reasons to fail you this time and last time. It shows there's nothing wrong with your driving. Next time 🤞🤞

Exactly. Take it as a win that your driving is great and it was a silly error. Next time will be a skoosh. Sorry for the frustrating wait until then, but it will be worth it.

Please let there be a next time OP . You’ve come so far to give up now . Onwards and upwards . We will all still be here for the next attempt.

One person I know took 8 times, one 9.
And they're both great drivers, feel perfectly safe with them driving.

Is that classed as a major? I feel bad for you because I think I slowed down way too soon before a roundabout and they said that was a minor.

Yeah it was for failure to progress. I suspect it depends on the discretion of the examiner and how much it holds up other traffic as to whether it's classed as a minor or a major. I obviously just didn't see a speed limit change sign for whatever reason.

Sorry about that OP. Chin up!

Was it on a known test route?

I know the kids in my area drive round and round the test routes with instructors and parents to know them off by heart (we have one tricky junction and one busy roundabout that could catch you out if you weren’t sure) so I wonder if doing more on the known routes would help?

Mind you I’m rural Scotland so there probably aren’t many route options here to encompass all the things you need to do in a test. Everyone knows the standard test! Maybe in a busier city there are a lot more possible routes.

Yeah I know all the roads but I am not very good at recognising all the different roundabouts on the ring road to be honest no matter how many times I go on them, as they all look the same.

This is such a stupid thing for them to fail you on, unless it was a 50 -60 road and you did 20-30. If you are about 5 miles under it is ok, and it might be a minor.

Can you request a female examiner maybe next time? I think you can also have your husband in the car if it will help ease your nerves

Apparently it was 40 in a 50

Not allowed to have anyone but your driving instructor in there with you as an extra person sadly. Nor are you allowed to request a female examiner!