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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:
Sugarcoma · 06/03/2017 05:37

Another one here to say please don't give up! I passed 5th time after changing test centres. I also didn't tell anyone it was booked to take the pressure off and the night before I did visualisation techniques (like athletes use). Keep going, you'll get there in the end!

ChippyDucks · 06/03/2017 05:52

I had a brilliant driving instructor, and the best test advice he gave me was to see the test as trying to lull the examiner to sleep...no sudden, jerky movements, aim for a nice smooth drive. Oh, and it's a speed limit, not a target I may have a tendency to put my foot down a bit too often

ChippyDucks · 06/03/2017 05:52

I had a brilliant driving instructor, and the best test advice he gave me was to see the test as trying to lull the examiner to sleep...no sudden, jerky movements, aim for a nice smooth drive. Oh, and it's a speed limit, not a target I may have a tendency to put my foot down a bit too often

Robstersgirl · 06/03/2017 06:30

Thank you everyone! I'm not feeling as despondent now. Countdown to tomorrow. Will reassess my feelings after the result. Smile

OP posts:
sameoldscene · 06/03/2017 06:35

Good luck!

alphabook · 06/03/2017 15:32

Good luck! You can do it!

Branleuse · 06/03/2017 17:35

you'll nail it, if not tommorow then the next time. Youll get there x

Brandnewstart · 06/03/2017 17:41

I was 36 when I passed. I had lessons on and off since I was 18 Blush. It's the best thing I've done and makes my life so much easier!
I just went into the test with the idea it was a practise and didn't tell anyone, apart from my ex (he wasn't my ex at the time).
Keep going! It'll be worth it in the the end.

TheSecretMrsFairbrother · 06/03/2017 17:45

I passed today and I'm 37 too!

The nerves got me last time but I was surprisingly calm today.

Good luck for tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you.

Robstersgirl · 07/03/2017 11:00

I ONLY WENT AND BLOODY PASSED!!!!!!
Thank you so much to everyone!

OP posts:
IHaveOtherNames · 07/03/2017 11:03

Congratulations!

alphabook · 07/03/2017 11:07

Yay! Genuinely chuffed for you, great news! Grin

SavoyCabbage · 07/03/2017 11:15

Fan-bloody-tastic! Flowers

TheSecretMrsFairbrother · 07/03/2017 11:17

Brilliant! It's a good week for mumsnet drivers and it's only Tuesday!

Bluebiscuits · 07/03/2017 11:19

Well done!!

NotAPuffin · 07/03/2017 11:21

YAY! Feels flipping brilliant, doesn't it? Well done you : )

MrsMarigold · 07/03/2017 11:23

Well done both of you. I can't remember how many times I took the test but I finally got it and it makes the world of difference. I do hillstarts, parallel parking, and reversing round corners every day now.

monkeymamma · 07/03/2017 11:24

DON'T GIVE UP!!

I passed 8th time, aged 34. It's the best thing, hands down, that I've ever done, aside from my kids obviously.

I love, love, love driving about in my car and feeling like the world is my oyster. It's brought me so much pleasure, fun and confidence.

I could have written your post. I felt like although I could drive I couldn't ever pass a test.

It sounds really harsh but I think sometimes loved ones are not the best people to help. My DH used to get very frustrated and cross and I'd feel like shit about it. Ditto where my lovely parents helped and took me for practice tests. What you really need is a professional and, at our age/stage of life, an intensive course works best. I had a week with a completely new instructor (a woman, not sure that that makes a difference but I liked her and felt more comfortable than I had with the FIVE male instructors I'd had previously!), with my test booked in on the final day (Friday) and I passed.

If money's an issue, save up, book an intensive course, and give it another go. Don't listen to anyone but yourself, this is your business, lady.

Also: sucking something or chewing REALLY helps. I had Bach's Rescue Remedy lozenges, sucked them all the way through my test. When you're in the test, just concentrate on getting through the first five minutes. After that it's much easier, you are nearly there.

Keep listening to the Trolls sound track (not giving up today) and GOOD LUCK!

monkeymamma · 07/03/2017 11:25

AHAHAHA that will teach me to RTFT!! WELL DONE OP!!!!!!

gandalf456 · 07/03/2017 11:27

Well done! I passed 5th time too and have been driving for 23 years now

WinterRose92 · 07/03/2017 11:29

It took me 5 attempts to pass my test, but I made the decision that if I didn't pass that fifth time that I would carry on until I did. I came too far and spent a fortune, there was no way I was going to give up. I know you said you don't have money for a car, but just think - once you have your license you have it for life! (Unless you're naughty!) You can get a car further down the line and just take a refresher lesson or course. Don't give up, you've come so far! Good luck!

WinterRose92 · 07/03/2017 11:30

Sorry, just saw you passed! Well done!! That's brilliant, so pleased! 😀

TizzyDongue · 07/03/2017 11:32

I've mine tomorrow - same situation nervous wreak. My instructor practically weeping 'you are a good driver, you're more than able stop being nervous'

Please can I have some of your good luck OP!!!

Well done btw

19lottie82 · 07/03/2017 11:37

Well done OP! As I said I passed on my fourth attempt. When I pulled back into the test centre I was CONVINCED he was going to tell me I'd failed (again), but when he told me I'd passed, I just couldn't believe it!

If you asked me what the happiest moment of my life was, I'd like to say my wedding, but I'd be lying! Grin just don't tell my husband!

hungryhippo90 · 07/03/2017 11:40

OP, I passed first time, but it took me almost 8 years to get there.

I just couldn't do it, I couldn't get the hang of it.
I had six professional lessons and 60 odd lessons with my dad at 17. I was too anxious. I couldn't do it.

18 I picked it back up. Again couldn't do it. Said I'd get on fine without ever driving.

21 I got serious about learning. Went through instructors. I just wasn't getting the hang of it. I couldn't do the simplest manoeuvres. It took me until I was 25 to finally get to the point where I felt almost ready.

I did my test, and I honestly worked through the manoeuvres calmly. In my head I was talking myself through them.

Whatever you do, look in your mirrors!

If you want to drive, don't give up. Sometimes a different instructor does wonders too, if you don't pass.

Nobody cares how many times you have to do your test Hun, as long as you get there.

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