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Original poster

Cancel my driving test?

123 replies

tocancelornot · 25/05/2017 21:27

I passed my theory June 2015, since then I've taken well over 35 lessons and I have failed 3 driving tests.

I have a test booked for next Wednesday, and today is the final day I can cancel it. I don't feel ready for it, and I'm feeling so anxious that I'm going to fail again. I'd rather not waste the £100+ and redo the theory test which is only £23 and it will give me another 2 years to pass.

I just don't know what to do...cancel or not?

OP posts:
Thegiantofillinois · 25/05/2017 23:00

I actually like driving and didn't feel nervous in 'Reallife', just the test. You've got a long way to go before you hit my dizzy heights!

Itsjustaphase2016 · 25/05/2017 23:04

Look, you can have as many hours as possible but if you are nervous you'll fuck it up whatever most likely.
Do the test and concentrate on keeping the nerves down. They'll pass a safe driver

HundredMilesAnHour · 25/05/2017 23:08

So if you cancel the test on Wed and buy a car so you can practice, who is going to be coming out with you? You say your parents don't drive and your brother is working? It seems an expensive way to get some practice? It might be cheaper just to hire a car for a few days as long as your brother (or some other qualified driver you know) is willing to help you. You could do it this weekend even.

I think a lot of the issue is that you haven't been having regular lessons. If you have longish gaps in between, it makes it so much harder to pick up where you left off. That's why I think it would be much better to get something more intensive booked in and set yourself a deadline rather than letting it drift and eroding your confidence each time.

I learnt to drive at 17. I had 15 x 1 hour lessons within a 6 week period (summer holidays before starting university) and passed first time. I didn't drive again until I was 25. I didn'tdr ive regularly until I was 30! It was too expensive for my parents to put me on their insurance and I couldn't afford a car of my own. When I started driving again, it was intimidating! I booked a lesson first and got an opinion from the driving instructor to boost my confidence (or tell me not to be so stupid - luckily it was the confidence boost!) I used to hire cars then eventually I was insured to drive my boyfriend's car (still remember driving it on my own for the first time, I was a basket case!) but it took time to feel comfortable. It would have been easy to have avoided driving but I made myself do it. Now I drive pretty much day in central London (and happily fly up and down the country doing the 500 mile trip to visit family and friends) and am unrecognisable from that driver starting out. It was worth pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

WeAllHaveWings · 25/05/2017 23:10

If you don't think you'll pass it's still worth going to get more exam experience before your next attempt. Forget the nerves because it doesn't matter if you pass, relax and treat it like an exam lesson.

Sallystyle · 25/05/2017 23:15

I passed on my 4th go.

My instructor was ill so I drove a car I had never been in before and I just knew I wouldn't pass. I passed with just one minor. I was so relaxed because I knew I wouldn't pass and it went amazingly well.

I only told my husband and mum that I was going for that test as well so I didn't feel any pressure either.

If I was you I would go for the test. If you fail you fail. You take more lessons and you keep going. If I can pass you can, even if it takes you a few more tests you will get there.

Original poster
tocancelornot · 25/05/2017 23:18

WeAllHaveWings it will be good to get more exam practice as this one is at 8:10am which is way earlier than the previous ones ive done

OP posts:
Original poster
tocancelornot · 25/05/2017 23:19

U2HasTheEdge thats great, well done for not giving up either!

OP posts:
Original poster
tocancelornot · 25/05/2017 23:23

Thank you so much to everyone who replied.

I spoke to my mum who agreed that i should take the test on Wednesday. Just spend the next few days going over the show me tell me questions and watching youtube vidoes for the manouveres.
I will be asking for a 2 hour lesson this weekend which i want to be focused on manouvres and a mock test and a 1 hour lesson before my test. Whatever happens, happens...but I will be giving it my best shot, just need to think positive about it!

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 25/05/2017 23:30

Bravo tocancelornot, that's the right attitude! Stay positive, try to relax and enjoy. And let us know how you get on.

Original poster
tocancelornot · 25/05/2017 23:32

HundredMilesAnHour thank you, i hope it goes well so i will have good news next Wednesday!

OP posts:
TizzyDongue · 25/05/2017 23:38

I past on my 4th.

I was utterly insanely nervous about my test each time. Quite calm actually driving though!

4th test I though 'what's the point, I'll not pass

Looked like this Shock when he said I had!!

e1y1 · 26/05/2017 00:45

and third, the route was one I only went to once before with my instructor

This should be alarm bells that your instructor isn't right for you.

You shouldn't be in a position where you need to rely on knowing a route to pass the test.

My Instructor absolutely refused to tell me test routes (even though they're not published publicly now anyway), also she used to take me out of town regularly, to drive new roads. She'd cite the reason that you could teach a monkey to drive if you just keeping going around the same routes - you need to be able to drive anywhere, as this is what real driving is like.

Go for the test, all you can do is fail, it isn' the end of the world. Believe in yourself, if you fail. just do your theory again, and start lessons back up, but pick another instructor.

Good luck Flowers

Umpteenthnamechange · 26/05/2017 06:47

Everyone learns differently - I had to work hard at it to pass. I had to take 100 lessons in a year and buy a cheap used car to practice with DH in so that I was driving every single day for 365 days to pass.

Others I know passed after 10 lessons.

I did what I personally needed to do.

Today - I love driving and am one of the most confident drivers you'll meet with a 5 hour drive to and from work 4 days a week

HPandBaconSandwiches · 26/05/2017 07:27

There will be driving instructors out there who can fit in intensive lessons before next week. Start phoning round and thinking more positive!

thethoughtfox · 26/05/2017 08:59

35 lessons isn't much. I took 3 a week for a very long time and most were an hour and half which seems to be the perfect length. My driving instructor was very good and said most people need 60 hours practice with an instructor ( I needed a lot more cause I'm a nervous wreck!)

caffeinestream · 26/05/2017 09:45

I think the best thing to do would be cancel your test, re-book your theory, then find a new instructor.

Then, make sure you book an instructor who can give you regular lessons - twice a week if possible, and try and find someone who can take you out in between. It doesn't have to be family - anyone who's been driving for 3 years and is over 21 can sit in the car with you.

If you can get a cheap runaround, they don't even have to use their car - they can come and sit with you for a couple of hours a week - it all adds up. Is there someone perhaps you can carpool to work with - they drive to yours, then you drive them to work with your L plates on?

Good luck. I know it's frustrating, I just passed my theory back in March and I'm on my third instructor since I started lessons. I get practice with DP outside of lessons but not as often as I'd like to.

deneedenee · 30/05/2017 23:03

I hope you're feeling better about tomorrow and getting a good nights sleep, OP.

Best of luck. Let us know how it goes. Star

DoloresTheRunawayTrain · 30/05/2017 23:06

Best wishes for your test.

Original poster
tocancelornot · 31/05/2017 09:31

deneedenee DoloresTheRunawayTrain

I wish i was posting with more happier and positive news....but i failed Sad
I did a bay parking in the test centre car park, all going well, i even managed to go back forward to straighten the car then reverse again...and then i hit the barriers Sad its so heartbreaking knowing you've failed before even leaving the test centre...examiner asked if i wanted to carry on, i said yes just so he can give me feedback on my general driving.

I only got 5 minors as well! I think the lesson before the test did not help, instructor was almost ranting at me and making me feel like i was not going to pass.
My theory expires Friday, going to rebook then and start revising for it now.

Also need to look for another instructor now. Thanks again for all your replies.

OP posts:
DoloresTheRunawayTrain · 31/05/2017 16:02

It's good you did the test as now you know barring the first mistake you made your minors list is impressive. I passed with 12 minors.
Concentrate now on finding an instructor that suite you, don't be afraid to move on to another after a few lessons if you don't gel.
Book your theory and keep your head up.

DontFundHate · 31/05/2017 16:14

Sorry you didn't pass. You will. Definitely need a new instructor. And lots and lots and lots of practice outside lessons too if you can?

Original poster
tocancelornot · 31/05/2017 17:12

DoloresTheRunawayTrain my first test i got 14 minors...but still failed the test haha
I am going to get the theory test out of the way as soon as possible; will be booking it first thing on Friday. Not sure where to look for an instructor; some are charging £26 per hour...is that considered to be expensive or the norm?

DontFundHate thank you, I know I'm capable of passing as i only got 5 minors which is consistent with my previous tests...just need to tackle the nerves. I am thinking about buying a car and using that to practice in but need to talk to my parents about that first.

OP posts:
fabulousathome · 31/05/2017 17:15

Take it, and if you don't succeed definitely change instructors.

Maybe you could do an intensive course (3 lessons a week).

IMHO, during the summer is a good time to take a test. You might just do it! Good luck.

fabulousathome · 31/05/2017 17:17

Sorry, I hadn't read the update.

The instructor sounds a bit rubbish. Maybe find a female instructor for a complete change or learn on an automatic car?

Original poster
tocancelornot · 31/05/2017 17:18

fabulousathome thanks, i took the test this morning and unfortunately failed it...but i'm currently revising for my theory and want to get that out of the way first. hopefully the next test will be a pass!

OP posts: