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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Driving test

46 replies

mum19821985 · 02/05/2017 11:21

Hiya! I have my driving test this week and I'm beginning to brick it slightly! I did a mock test a few days ago and failed miserably 😭 Instructor says that I am a lovely driver when I want to be but I tend to panic and get flustered. I tend to let nerves get the better of me. I can drive but make silly mistakes! Really need to pass though! Anyone taking their test soon or have any words of encouragement? Thanks! 😊

OP posts:
PebbleInTheMoonlight · 02/05/2017 12:26

My last three lessons before my test were horrendous. All mock tests and I was getting progressively worse with each one.

I was absolutely freaking out that I'd wasted my money and everyone's time.

On test morning I had a sense of fatalism so just tried to enjoy driving around knowing I was probably going to fail...and badly.

Get to the end of the test I'd passed with 3 minors - one of which was for a parallel park that was so bad I actually laughed out loud at myself and did it again perfectly on 2nd attempt.

Just stay in control of the car no matter what mistakes you make. That counts for a lot. Nobody is perfect, the key is to not be dangerous and for the examiner to know you're in charge of the car not the other way around.

Best of luck.

MakeUpMyRoom · 02/05/2017 12:45

have a drink for the nerves...

luckylucky24 · 02/05/2017 12:52

You will have a lesson before so try to relax. I failed miserably first time. Do not worry!

UppityHumpty · 02/05/2017 12:58

I was the same. I found taking a deep breath and not going immediately when the instructor told me to go, really helped. I also pulled over safely whenever I felt the stress building. Passed with 0 minors do must have done something right!

user1234567 · 02/05/2017 13:01

I passed a couple of months ago. I was terrified, but I think most people are, when I was waiting at the test centre before the test everyone looked very, very nervous. I failed my mock test before the actual test. I thought I had failed my test as I was doing it because the examiner kept writing things down, I thought every time she wrote something down she was recording a fault, I didn't realise examiners do paper work while conducting the test! Good luck and if you do fail just try to view it as practice for next time and as someone else said they don't expect you to be perfect, just safe.

PeanutButterBunny · 02/05/2017 13:02

Passed my test a few weeks back. Took me three attempts. The key is to drive safely and in control. Dont rush.

I find going early to the exam center helped. I watched people before me struggling to reverse park and it made me feel better that I wasn't the only one struggling. Best of luck, OP!

theflickyones · 02/05/2017 13:08

My mock tests and run up lessons were awful. On the test itself I talked myself through most of it, it stopped my thoughts and nerves taking over. Good luck

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 02/05/2017 13:10

I've failed my first 2 tests miserably, with major faults - I honestly wish they'd just stop the test after a major fault and take you back to the test centre. After all, you KNOW you've failed, and it doesn't matter how well you drive afterwards.

I'm almost giving up on the idea of driving. I know I can do it - I actually drive really well - but even with beta blockers, I just can't get through the test.

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 02/05/2017 13:10

My instructor told me to have 2 paracetamol to keep temp down incase you get stressed.
And a Mars for energy!!
I passed!!
Good luck.

Original poster
mum19821985 · 02/05/2017 13:10

Thanks all! This will be my second attempt, learning to drive honestly feels like the hardest thing I have ever done! I have spent a small fortune so far. Some lessons I am a great driver, others it's like I haven't ever set foot in a car! lol

OP posts:
Dustbunnies · 02/05/2017 13:12

Hi OP! I have my 6th driving test this afternoon so I feel your pain! Like you I can drive perfectly well but panic and get flustered under test conditions. It's driving me crazy that I can't seem to pass, no pun intended!

Original poster
mum19821985 · 02/05/2017 13:37

Hi dustbunnies! Good luck for today! Really hope you pass! Let us know how you get on! Xxx

OP posts:
Thattwatoverthere · 02/05/2017 13:40

I passed on my 6th attempt and am so glad I didn't give up. Some lessons were awful and some were great, same with the tests tbh but when I started the 6th I just had a feeling that it was going to be this one that would be the one. And it was Smile.

What helped me most was that nobody knew I was doing my test other than me and my instructor, the thing I hated most was others asking how I'd done and giving me sympathy when I said I'd failed. It took the pressure right off me and I could pretend I was still on number 6 if I failed again Wink

Good luck and hard as it sounds, try to stay calm

Original poster
mum19821985 · 02/05/2017 13:40

It's good to hear others are in the same boat. I'm even trying some hypnosis and positive affirmations!

OP posts:
Original poster
mum19821985 · 02/05/2017 13:43

Well done for passing thattwhat! I bet you were so happy! Dh knows about my test but that's it. Some know my test is coming up but not when. Last time I did my test in another town, had to stay with family so EVERYONE knew! Had the walk of shame back into the house then! 🙁

OP posts:
LiquoriceAllsorts86 · 02/05/2017 13:51

I've got my test in 2 weeks. I'm dreading it. It's my first attempt Shock

Original poster
mum19821985 · 02/05/2017 14:30

Good luck! X

OP posts:
Original poster
mum19821985 · 02/05/2017 14:33

I've just listened to a driving test hypnosis video on YouTube. Feeling much calmer now. During the video they call it a "driving opportunity" not a "driving test" lol

OP posts:
Urglewurgle · 02/05/2017 15:35

Oh God, I was so terrified of driving; like you know when you stand on a high diving board and your legs go wobbily? That's how I felt even for my lessons. My instructor was a saint!

I passed first time.... I just had to remind myself to take my time (within reason) and to breathe! Deep, calming breaths whenever I felt the panic rising.

I think it helped that I had to break rather sharply after spotting a red light quite late and thought I'd failed which made me feel j had nothing to loose!

Woobeedoo · 02/05/2017 16:00

You'll have a lesson before your test - for me that was the lesson that everything that I could do wrong, I somehow managed to cock up spectacularly. During that lesson pay attention to the roads round the test centre - any temporary traffic lights or diversions that could take you by surprise? Are the kids just finishing school, etc? On the lessons on the run up to the test my examiner took me to the most bizarre locations, I've think they've since ditched reversing round corners, but as that was my weakness, I must've reversed round every single combination of awkward corner known to man. So, ask your examiner if you have any weaknesses and have a lesson focusing on just that.

Luckily when I exited the test centre I had the amazing good fortune to get stuck behind a double decker bus whose driver was under instruction and going incredibly slowly, that gave me the opportunity to drive slowly too and get my heart rate and breathing nice and calm.

Good luck!

Mamabear14 · 02/05/2017 16:06

Rescue remedy. Lots of it!
I managed to scuff the kerb quite badly within about a minute of leaving the test centre, convinced I had failed I managed to sort myself out and complete the test. He only gave a minor for it so I passed! I think that convincing myself I had fluffed it made me relax and helped in a weird way.

aintnothinbutagstring · 02/05/2017 16:18

Just remember, you can do it as many times as you need, it's not one shot (or second, third) or nothing. I passed second time, it was almost too good to be true as I had the feeling the examiner wanted to pass me (he kept asking questions pertaining to such), he was so relaxed and lovely. My real nerves started when I passed and now have to do it alone! You need some sense of anxiety when you're driving, it sharpens your senses and hazard perception.

Dustbunnies · 02/05/2017 17:33

Thank you mum I actually passed! If I can pass you definitely can, it's taken me three years & six tests to do it Grin

Original poster
mum19821985 · 02/05/2017 17:34

Oooooh! Amazing! Well bloody done! I bet you are over the moon!!

OP posts:
UnbornMortificado · 02/05/2017 17:40

Propropronol (SP) it's a beta blocker and it just stops physical nerve symptoms (shaking, sweating etc) most GP's will prescribe it.

I passed second time thanks to it, the first time you could see my leg vibrating.

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