To be completely freaking out about my driving test?

[Seryph]

I think I probably am BU but here goes.
I'm 28, I had about 40 or so hours of driving lessons when I was 17, but for various reasons never ended up taking my test. I now need to drive for my job and started taking lessons again in August. I had two two-hour lessons and my instructor told me I needed to book my test as I can drive just fine. I took my theory, no problems there and booked my test for about three weeks later. This was then cancelled because the examiner was unavailable. It was rearranged for this coming Monday. I've had another three lessons in that time, all went well including independent driving into the city centre on a Saturday night!
However, about a month ago my parents drove my car up to me and when I went out with them in it, well it was a total disaster. I'm dyspraxic and people have always suggested that I'll essentially be crap at it.
So, now I have a test in two days, no option to practice today or tomorrow and really need it for my work.
Tell me I'll be alright and give me your advice Mumsnet!

Easier said than done but try to control your nerves, they wreck everything! I took a few go's to pass as my nerves made me panic during a manoeuvre and this is what I failed on each time. You say you need to drive for work, just keep telling yourself that its not a big deal if you dont pass this time as you can try again, I found if I made it into this big thing I put too much pressure on. Try some deep breathing before you go on test, I found this helped me relax. good luck!

Took me three goes to pass tbf I made sure I had the retest fee in my bank before I took it my nerves are horrendous

JUst look upon it as a practice test and that if you pass it’s a bonus. That’s what I’d do. It’s not like A-levels where it’s a big problem if you fail and fucks up what plans you had. You can do “re-sit” after “re-sit” with a driving test and the only downside is the money that it costs each time you take one. If it’s your own money you don’t feel so guilty if you have to take a few tests. If your oarents are paying then you feel the pressure to pass.

I wouldn’t worry about going out with your parents going badly. It’s never a good ideA to go out in the car with them as you can feel their tension ha ha!

what job do you do that requires you to drive?

I failed my test 4 times, each time I cocked up due to nerves.

When I finally passed I cried my eyes out. My best advice is, do not give up even if you make a mistake. The test people have a lot of room for judgement, so what you think is definetly 100% a major, could easily be a minor. I failed two of my tests thinking I'd gotten a major so there was no point trying, when really I'd only gotten a couple minors and was going to pass till I made a couple mistakes.

It's ok if you don't pass, remember that. It won't be a problem if you do, you can take another test no problem. You will pass sooner or later, you're a good driver and tests are only a small snapshot.

I'm also dyspraxic; it need not be a hindrance. You've already proven that you can drive. Stay confident and calm and you'll be absolutely fine. Best of luck!!

Thanks everyone! I'm actually a really good driver, I've just never sat the test as I've never had a real need to and have had parents/friends who have sat with me to drive.

I'm a nanny and my work have moved house to somewhere that is extremely difficult to get to via public transport.

I can afford to resit, but the test centres are so busy around here it'll be the New Year before I get another chance to take my test, and then it'll be this new test.

Triple Thanks, that really helps to hear.

Assassin I'm 28, so my parents have very little to do with it, and live hundreds of miles away. They were just looking after my car as I have nowhere off road to keep it.

I failed. 1 major, 9 minors. Never mind, I'll get it next time. Thanks everyone.

Ah never mind. Was just a practice one, remember? You know the drill now. Have you booked your next one?

That's not too bad OP, if you can eliminate the major then it's a pass. What went well?

I put off taking my driving test for years. There were many reasons but one was that people told me I wouldn’t be good at it. They were wrong. I found it harder practicing with people I knew than with my instructor. Try to forget about the experience with your parents. Your driving lessons have been fine. You can do this.

If you’re still feeling panicked try looking up driving test hypnotherapy. It may sound ridiculous but I realised it really helped me with birth so I found a free session for driving on YouTube and it did help me keep calm and feel confident.

Argh, sorry, somehow missed your last post. Hope next time goes better.

Hey, that's not too bad at all. Now you've got one under your belt you'll hopefully be a bit less anxious next time.

Sorry to hear you didn't pass but actually most people don't.

I'm also dyspraxic and it was sort of accepted that i would never drive, even some driving instructors thought so. In the end I found the right instructor for me who didn't make me flustered (weirdly my one before that was too nice so i felt like i was disappointing him!).

I seriously avoided my test and continued lessons. Ultimately though I needed to do a proper test, even if i was going to fail it because I needed to get over my fear of the test and figure out exactly what it was about the test I disliked. The plan was I would go for the test then we'd work on what it was I'd fail on....except I passed!

Because it was low pressure!

If I had of failed then so what? Most people fail. I already didn't have a licence, and was paying too much on lessons to avoid my test. Failing would have cost me a bit of money but I already had paid that. If you put in for a test and fail that's all you've lost. You're just back in the same position.

I think In my head i felt that if I failed then I'd be a failure, that my family would be dissapointed, that i would have to stop driving Or be shot or something. My driving instructor had to say "no one will kill you if you fail". And it's true. Once you pass no one asks how many attempts!

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on here, and say I passed today, third attempt!

Congratulations!

(Took me five goes due to nerves)