Cancel my driving test?

[tocancelornot]

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?

I'm so sorry you failed. It really does sound like it's nerves that get the better of you. But your instructor sounds dreadful! You need to find a new instructor who is actually supportive and encouraging. I know "old school" sergeant major type instructors work for some people (like me!) but if you suffer with nerves, an instructor like that will make you feel even more nervous. Find someone who's more supportive of you. Go out for a trial lesson with them and if you don't like them, try someone else. And keep trying until you find one you like!

Driving hours between lessons would make lots of difference. This is where you learn to drive. You need to know how to pass the test though to get the licence.

Also the right instructor REALLY helps.

I'm in euro - paid 60 for 2 hour lesson

sorry you didn't pass OP, next time though I'm sure!

I'm a bit like you, have been learning for around 2 years (had a 6 mth break) my theory runs out in Jan 2018, my 3rd test next Thursday - I'm bricking it & don't have any confidence at all, although my instructor- who is relatively new (I've been with him for the last 5 lessons) says I should 'walk' it & I will pass! But like you said OP, I seem to struggle with manoeuvres, I mean I still need prompting instructions to complete them. I was thinking of cancelling my test & putting it back, but my instructor says I don't really need to, husband says I don't - I do drive our car, not much though.

I'm taking those kalm tablets, have been for the last 2 weeks, I don't know if they're helping but I've had a fuck load of headaches on top if the ones I usually get. Somehow I've just got to find this 'fuck it' sprit & get on with it, but im thick & forget things easily, i'm nearly 45!!!

I suppose if money wasn't an object it wouldn't be so bad, but because it costs so much, there's so much added pressure.

Flipping bay park, flipping reverse round a corner, if, when I pass my test, I won't be reversing into a bay, I'll use one of those as far from the supermarket entrance( were nobody else parks 😂) & I won't be reversing into it or round any bloody corners!!

HundredMilesAnHour thank you, it is heartbreaking knowing i could have passed today, but like my mum said, everything happens for a reason and i need to not dwell on it! I'm going to ask around for any decent instructors, i think a female one will probably make me feel more at ease

TizzyDongue I do agree, as theres only so much you can learn in a 2 hour lesson, driving outside of lessons gives more chance to practice areas

Will look into getting a car for that reason

youvegottobekidding you can do it! i think if you have the positive mindset anything is possible; and you still have a good couple of months if you dont pass next Thursday.

Its good you getting practice outside of lessons, this must help with your confidence.

I might look into Kalms because another poster also mentioned them, and if they help with nerves I will use it (although not if it gves me headaches, I get enough as it is!!!).

Dont worry about your age....im 21 and feel like people younger than me have passed!!! And it is sooo expensive, which is why i want to pass while i have no other committements at the moment, i have spend probably almost £1500 on driving, if not more.

Dont worry, WHEN we pass our tests, im going to be doing exactly the same...i will never reverse around the corner (who actually does that?!) and bloody bay park, like you, im going to park where nobody else has!

Good luck for next week, and do let me know how it goes!

I'm a bit late to this thread but this is my story.

Tried learning at 19. Had probably over £2k worth of lessons. Never felt confident or enjoyed it and failed my test twice. I decided to pack it in and carried on with public transport which was easy living in London.

Fast forward 14 years - my husband made it clear: no driving licence, no babies

I got a new instructor who was stern, focused, thorough and excellent. I passed in 10 weeks with 3 minors.

It is all about your mental state and your instructor. Get those two right and you'll sail.

I honestly thought I'd never manage it and my instructor was utterly amazing.

Good luck - it's a great skill to have.

It took me five times to pass. Don't cancel, this could be the one. Try and relax and just go for it!

Moanyoldcow well done on not giving up! I do agree with the mental state, if you go in thinking im going to pass, your'e more likely to do so.

I am going to rebook my theory Friday morning, and get that out of the way and find a new instuctor...just feel a bit crap because it seems like Im starting again

BifsWif thanks, i took the test this morning and unfortunately failed it as i reversed a little too much for the bay parking!! had to carry on with the rest of the test knowing i had failed but only got 5 minors

Mine is Friday I'm bricking it logically I know I can drive I drove my friends car I drove my ex husband car I get anxious being judged for 40 minutes but if I fail I will rebook as soon as possible because I can actually drive (I'm 42 and I've just realised this)

Honestly tocancelornot, it will be worth it.

Next time you'll remember it all. On my first lesson of the second attempt I was driving on main roads and turning at junctions. It all came back but my instructor had instilled a real confidence I'd never had before.

Long shot but if you're in Middx my instructor was superb.

I won't lie though, I really wanted a baby and was 8 weeks when I passed which was massive motivation.

I found 2 X 90 min lessons a week really effective too.

abbsisspartacus good luck for this Friday, let us know how it goes. Have you taken any tests before? I know what you mean with the 40 mins, but it does go by really quickly, just stay positive and hopefully it will go well

Moanyoldcow thank you, so it was double celebrations for you i take it?

Im in North London so will be asking people and just looking online for new instructors.
I think I need maximum 5 lessons, one purely on manouvres and hopefully will pass next time. Now i need to do theory which ill be honesy is demotivating me as i feel like im starting the process all over again

GardenGeek i wish i just stopped even seconds before, i wouldnt have touched the barriers and would have passed with 5 minors! cant even move on from that, i tried to take a nap earlier as i've been awake since 6 but everytime i close my eyes i keep reliving it

GardenGeek its funny because bay parking is the one we didnt practice as much as say reverse around the corner. literally did it when parking at the test centre and as soon as examiner said thats what im going to do i was like crap...managed to do everything right. even when i saw i wasnt going in the box in a straight line, i went forward and straightened it up....just the last bit i messed up

5 minors is consistent with my other attempts bar the first which i think i got 14 due to really bad nerves.

My plan is to get theory done asap...and move on from there.

*Clueless Jane
*
I passed my driving test on the 5th time and like you, kept debating cancelling. It was so crushing being told that I'd failed AGAIN and then having to tell my family too.

*What really helped me on my 5th test was taking Bach's Rescue Remedy spray (available from supermarkets/chemists)- it really calmed my nerves and I had a bit of a "fuck it, if I pass great... if I fail, I take the test again"

Believe in yourself- you can do it!!*

Are you me! This is exactly me!

I can't believe you failed for that!! Sounds like a tough examiner to
me. I passed with 5 minors and my manoeuvre was terrible! I was all over the place... can't you do the test somewhere else?
The pass rate in mull is 90% and on Isle of Wight 80%.

OP don't give up. You will get there eventually and when you do it will be so worth it.

I had over a years lessons at 17/18. Failed 3 tests and gave up, decided I wasn't cut out to be a driver.

I spent all my 20s and 30s not driving. I have always been super independent, lived near excellent public transport. I made do, even once I had 2 children.

3 years ago not long after my bf and I got together, he challenged me to go for my theory. I did and passed (by one mark, but a pass is a pass!). 2 years ago I bought a car. Then after a lot of procrastinating, I started lessons. I did one 2 hour lesson a week plus a lot of practising in my own car.

Sat a test last May. The test went brilliantly. I had the nicest examiner, I was about 70% through the test, allowed myself to think I might pass...then came to a junction and pulled slightly too far forward on right turn (tbh it was arguable, examiner stopped me but I don't think others would have - my foot was just touching the brake anyway so I would have stopped seconds later). I think I had 2 minors but that was a major. So failed.

Next test I messed up at a tricky mini roundabout. So another fail.

Test after that, same examiner. Was in tears in the morning, didnt want to fail again. Boiling hot day, examiner made me switch off air con as she was too cold. Spent whole test dripping in sweat! Got to the end and when she said I'd passed, I cried. Next week it's a year since I passed :)

Possibly one of the best days of my life. I wish wish wish I'd passed my test sooner and not spent 25 years making life really hard for myself. DC1 passed last year too, a few months after me, and DC2 will be having lessons as soon as he's 17.

GardenGeek thank you, i really hope the next test will be a success! feel a bit stupid as ive had 2 years to pass and i havent and now im starting all over again not to mention how expensive it all is