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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be so ridiculously nervous

38 replies

EricNorthmansFangbanger · 26/09/2013 16:35

I have my driving test tomorrow dinner time. I am absolutely cacking it. I keep getting a panicky feeling in my stomach and feel like I want to throw up. The next available driving tests are not until the beginning of December and it would totally change our life if I pass my test tomorrow, but I've got this horrible feeling I'm going to fail and I don't know why.

Any tips to keep me from potentially throwing up all over the examiner would be very appreciated

OP posts:

AgentZigzag · 26/09/2013 16:37

Imagine them naked?

Maybe not

Good luck though.

puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE · 26/09/2013 16:37

Good luck! I'm hopefully doing mine soon. Got my theory test booked and shitting it that I'm going to fail.

I did really well at uni, so people assume that now I'm going to do well at everything

I would just say relax as much as possible tonight. Can you go out for a drive tonight?

And remember, you can always do your test again

ElizabethBathory · 26/09/2013 16:37

YANBU! I'm sure you'll be calm as anything once you start driving. No tips re. puking apart from aim out of the window.

Good luck.

Sparrowfarts · 26/09/2013 16:49

Breathe! When you're waiting for your test, slow your breathing down and concentrate on relaxing your jaw, neck, shoulders, guts .

Be positive and assume you'll pass. If you don't know why you think you're going to fail, you must know that you're a competent driver.

Good luck.

Original poster

EricNorthmansFangbanger · 26/09/2013 16:51

Arf!

Imagining them naked may make it a bit worse. I can't go for a drive tonight but I have a lesson in the hour before the test, so I'm hoping that will calm the nerves down somewhat. I had a lesson on Monday and I kept cocking up meeting situations, which usually don't bother me at all.

Good luck with your theory test puds! I thought I'd failed that as well and decided to read the letter whilst walking downstairs, almost ended falling down them when I read I'd passed!

Thank you for the good luck, I'm not usually phased about driving but anything to do with tests/exams make me extremely nervous.

OP posts:

CaptainBinker · 26/09/2013 16:53

I kept telling myself that if my instructor put me in for the test then they must think I was capable of passing...keep that thought in your head OP and good luck!

puds11isNAUGHTYnotNAICE · 26/09/2013 17:01

Thanks Eric I really hope I pass as I struggle with confidence when it comes to driving so failing that will probably bugger me up a bit.

I'm sure you will be absolutely fine!

You have to come back and let us know how you get on. If it's horrible please lie to me and say it was great :D

RenterNomad · 26/09/2013 18:42

Definitely breathe!

feelinlucky · 26/09/2013 18:44

Big deep breaths (but try not to pass out). Don't forget to keep checking your mirrors, especially to make sure there's no cyclists (I failed because of that). Any chance you can get some bachs rescue remedy. You will be fabulous :)

RenterNomad · 26/09/2013 19:08

And good luck as well! (sorry to omit that!)

Mollywashup · 26/09/2013 19:20

Just think its the instructor sat next to you and move the mirror a bit so he can see you are looking in it and watch out of corner of your eye when he says he's going to do emergency stop,good luck

Beastofburden · 26/09/2013 19:23

Think about the test from the examiners point of view. It is not a test of some magic perfect standard, with him/ her snarling at you trying to catch you out for every tiny thing.

S/He just needs to get enough evidence to say that you are safe to drive. Your job is to supply him (bored with this gender thing now) with that evidence. Yes, you can in theory screw it up with a small error, but if you drive sensibly and well and show who you are as a driver, he will be able to make that assessment.

After you finish he will go home for tea like a normal person. This is not a special, different interaction, it's just one human being doing his job to see if you are OK out there.

McNewPants2013 · 26/09/2013 19:24

Good luck.

I failed 4 test because of nerves. What helped me is that we arrived at the test centre 15 minutes before and my driving instructor got me a coffee and we just relaxed before doing the test.

RhondaJean · 26/09/2013 19:28

Bach rescue remedy. It's the only thing that got me AND DH through ours.

Good luck!

enormouse · 26/09/2013 19:32

Hi there, best of luck. I second the rescue remedy (even if it's a placebo!)

Lots of mnetters are in the same boat as you (myself included)
the learning to drive thread we're gentle folk if you feel like posting there.
Take your time, get comfy in the car. And a small mistake isn't the end of the world.

tallulahpie · 26/09/2013 19:49

Good luck! I passed mine recently and felt exactly the same as you're describing, nearly chickened out of it altogether as my stomach was so dodgy the night before. Like others have said, just try to relax and focus as much as you can, and remember most things aren't as bad as you imagine they will be.
Hope you pass!

GiveItYourBestShot · 26/09/2013 19:51

Good luck!

Calloh · 26/09/2013 19:55

Good luck. I haven't any tips but I failed mine four times. On the fifth time I had more important stuff going on so was thinking about that and not the driving. I think you get to that stage when you can actually do it and relax. I also got stuck in a traffic jam so there wasn't a massive opportunity to acre up as we were stationary. I hope that happens for you.

And think about something else. Get into a really good thread and follow it all day, get irate and spend you time in the test wondering if she ever worked out..., what you would do....

You can definitely pass.

BitchTeeRiskit · 26/09/2013 19:57

I failed my first two tests.

This sounds really stupid but on my third I imagined I was a robot (don't laugh, I told you it was stupid!) A robot that was specifically designed for correct driving. I was programmed to do everything correctly. I passed with a couple of minor faults and that was it.

Good luck! You can do it!

HerrenaHarridan · 26/09/2013 20:09

I just passed 2 weeks ago, 4th time.

For me the difference was positive thinking and deep calming breaths.

First test not at all nervous but failed in one stupid thing

Second and third tests, scared to get my hope up, gibbering wreck, foot shaking so hard on the clutch that the car was juddering. Failed on 3 counts both times with 10 then 7 minors

Fourth time. I just kept telling myself I was a really good driver who was perfectly capable of passing this (stupid fucking) test as long as I stayed calm.

The hour practice before the test was the WORST I have driven since the very beginning. Me and instructor were both just WTF!

Told myself I was just getting it out of my system .

My best tip is even if you think/know you have done something wrong move on and deal with what's in front of you.

Second best, if your feeling nervous and shaky or would like a min to collect your thoughts ask your examiner to let you pull up and have a sip of water. I did this twice including immediately after the dreaded emergency stop. It really helped.

Good luck and dont forget to come back and tell us

MrsBW · 26/09/2013 20:12

Go to Boots tomorrow morning.

Buy some 'Bach Rescue Remedy'

Amazing stuff. Will knock the butterflies straight out and allow you to concentrate.

ScarletWomanoftheVillage · 26/09/2013 20:17

I have plenty of experience of this, though a loooong time ago, as it took me six goes to pass my test

My best tip, and what got me through, is to drive as if you are driving a nervous old lady with a heart condition around. Nothing jerky or nervy. You need to give the examiner a gentle, smooth, un-stressful experience.

Well that, and don't make mistakes like trying to overtake a cyclist on a hump backed bridge

Beastofburden · 27/09/2013 10:16

dont go mad on the rescue remedy as it contains alcohol so no wonder it makes you feel better....

oldgrandmama · 27/09/2013 10:25

I'm sure you'll be fine .... relax ... breathe ...
Let us know how you get on. And don't do some of the things I did during my test(s) ... tell you later.

Original poster

EricNorthmansFangbanger · 27/09/2013 16:00

I failed

The examiner used the breaks. We were coming up to a mini roundabout, I stopped and had to give way to a car to my right. I just started going when a taxi flew around the corner and on to the mini roundabout. I'd already started going, if I stopped I'd have been in the road and as I'd already started going I was a bit confused to why the examiner felt the need to go onto the breaks. Other than that I got four minors. I am beyond devastated, but I've already booked my next test and will keep checking for cancellations.

Thank you for all the well wishes anyway

I think I'll join the learning to drive thread enormouse

OP posts:

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