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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To give up on driving if I fail this time.....

102 replies

Robstersgirl · 05/03/2017 17:45

I have my cough 5th driving test on Tuesday. I failed the last 2 with no minors and one minor. I know I can drive. I can't pass a test. I've (half) decided that this will be my final test. The money I've spent on lessons and tests means I have nothing left to buy a car with. The irony. Should I give up knowing that failing 5 times means I am probably not cut out for driving? AIBU to give up? I'm 37 so no spring chicken. I've changed to auto and have one failed auto test.
P.S Just had the crappest drive ever with my brother in a manual which I kept stalling in and messed up reverse around corner 20 billion times and made him angry, he says I'm 2 years of lessons away from being test ready. Blush

OP posts:
user1487015199 · 05/03/2017 17:48

Don't give up, it took me 5 attempts but was one of the best things I done! I done one test and whilst I was out my brother was getting the number to book a resit, test is horrible
With loads of pressure on you, but don't give up xx

JsOtherHalf · 05/03/2017 17:48

I passed on my 6th test

LumelaMme · 05/03/2017 17:50

A friend of mine took her test seven times. It was a running joke, and when she finally passed we didn't really believe her. Driving didn't come to her naturally, but she stuck with it and has been driving now for years without a problem.

Good luck!

troodiedoo · 05/03/2017 17:50

I've failed mine five times, I know how you feel. I've given up I can't go through the ordeal any more. Maybe one day but I doubt it.

If you really want to drive then keep going you'll get there. Hypnotherapy could be worth a try?

Jenniferb21 · 05/03/2017 17:50

No keep going and have some confidence. I wouldnt practise in a manual now. Stick to auto and do that well.

Even if you spend a bit more money now it'll be worth it to have a license it is generally a huge inconvenience being unable to drive and you've invested so much time and effort it.

Don't give up now xxxx

Robstersgirl · 05/03/2017 17:50

Thank you! Did you feel the same? I don't think it's ever going to happen Sad

OP posts:
SquatBetty · 05/03/2017 17:52

Took me 6 gos to pass and I was in my thirties too. Don't give up!

Mermaidinthesea · 05/03/2017 17:54

Don't give up, my sister did hers over 15 times lol, she finally managed to get a licence to drive an automatic.

MirriVan · 05/03/2017 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bailey101 · 05/03/2017 17:59

I was in the same boat, I could drive fine and was passing mock tests with my instructor with only a few minors but couldn't pass the test. I eventually passed on the 5th go with only 2 minors.

Don't give up, you can always save more money to buy a car and your license will still be there when you do.

Robstersgirl · 05/03/2017 18:04

It's such a relief to know people have failed more tests than me I feel like I'm the only one. I'm the running joke in the family. I look at some people and get driver envy, especially when they drive really badly but have a licence.

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 05/03/2017 18:05

Look at it this way you ALMOST passed your last test. If you failed spectacularly then fair enough but you didn't. Keep at it, you will get there eventually and it will be the best feeing in the world!

nuttyknitter · 05/03/2017 18:09

One of my daughters took 6 attempts. I never understood why - she's was a good driver and deserved to pass. Don't give up!

thepatchworkcat · 05/03/2017 18:11

Don't give up! I passed third time at the age of 35, but after years of learning on and off. Never thought I'd really do it! So nervous in tests. I still can't quite believe it, as I'm driving around! I so wanted to give up and hated driving - now I quite enjoy sometimes! And it's so useful. You can do it! I bet you're loads better than some of the idiots on the road.

JsOtherHalf · 05/03/2017 18:13

I was in beta blockers too.

ADayGivingMeHope · 05/03/2017 18:14

My cousin took 17 times to pass his test. Yes that many!
He's a nervous driver and doesn't drive often but just having a driving licence has opened doors to jobs for him, it's really worth having in my opinion!
You might not be able to afford a car straight away but you will eventually, driving licence lasts until 60 or 65 I think it is.

DonaldStott · 05/03/2017 18:17

Don't give up!!! You are soooo close. I passed my test in my 30s after I was so sick of getting the bus to nursery/on bus with buggy etc.

Took me 3 attempts. On the 3rd I never told anybody. Not even my husband. No pressure. If I failed, nobody would have known.

Changed. My. Life.

Keep going OP

beardedlobster · 05/03/2017 18:18

I am not someone who gets nervous but I was forbidden some reason an absolute wreck before taking my driving test.
Like you I failed twice with no minors but made a stupid mistake both times I was so worked up.
I passed the third time. I used rescue remedy pastels though think they were more of a placebo effect.
With so few minors you obviously can drive!!
You will get there.
Also don't judge your driving ability through the stupid reverse around the cornor. The way that is explained and taught makes it a million times more complicated that t actually is.
Good luck!!

cariboo · 05/03/2017 18:25

Don't give up! I used to have the same problem with typing tests. I could do 60 wpm or whatever it was, but as soon as I was in a test environment, I blocked. Driving's the same. You have to find a way identifying the fear and overcoming it. Get some therapy if you can; otherwise, just DO it! Grin

Robstersgirl · 05/03/2017 19:39

What are your best tips? I have no time for hypnotherapy or beta blockers. I've read the Highway Code again and Roadcraft. Although I passed both my theories first time so I'm ok from that side. I just don't know how I'll ever get through it!

OP posts:
MadameJosephine · 05/03/2017 19:42

Sorry no tips other than keep on trying OP. It took me 5 attempts, 3 in a manual and 2 in an automatic before I passed. Good luck 🍀

Branleuse · 05/03/2017 19:44

i cant remember how many fails i had. Was about 6 or 7. Have you tried an automatic car? Thats how I passed in the end (dyspraxic) All my fails were in a manual, but as soon as i tried an automatic, it was brilliant and past first try in that.

Dont forget that we have the second hardest driving test in the world, second only to finland. Its really hard to pass these days.

Sassenach85 · 05/03/2017 19:44

Passed on my 6th attempt Blush

Couldn't give up, what a waste of money. And needed to be able to drive my dd about.

So keep going. U will pass eventually. Flowers

Hotfuzzed · 05/03/2017 19:46

Passed on my 8th. I took calms in the end.

VimFuego101 · 05/03/2017 19:48

I passed on my 5th attempt. Prior to that I had at least one major fault every test. I don't think I was a terrible driver, it was just nerves.

If you're taking your test in an auto, I would skip practicing in a manual - it will probably just confuse you.