To ask how to handle nerves? Is there an answer?

[youcanonlydraftthefuture]

I've failed my driving test 4 times now. My 5th attempt is tomorrow.

My instructor is baffled every time. I fail because of nerves. It's ridiculous. I turn to mush as soon as I hit the test centre.

Everything is fine and suddenly that's it, fail. My nerves turn me into a shockingly bad driver. Observance etc all goods, it's my manoeuvres. My instructor can't understand
It as I never fail them or mess them up during lessons.

She says she can't understand why I didn't pass months ago. Yet here I am still

I feel like tomorrow is a waste of time. Still nothing to help my nerves.

I'm trying rescue remedy sweets and a banana and paracetamol.

Anyone know of anything else I could try?

Try some breathing exercises before you go in, and say out loud beforehand that this is not your test, it's just a practice, so nothing to worry about. If you feel yourself getting worried during the test, try to slow yourself down, take some deep breaths, and don't rush yourself with the manoeuvres- take lots of time. Good luck!

You could try having some Reiki to relax you?

every time you exhale, exhale slowly for as long as you can. It calms the body down and tells your brain that the situation is safe

The only thing that worked for my nerves was Beta blockers. Its a bit late for tomorrow and I hope you pass but if you don't have a word with your GP and see if they would be suitable.

You could go to the dr and ask for propanalol. It helps with anxiety you just take it the day of the test.

I came on to say breathing too.
Get the free app Oak, it has some great breathing exercises on it. The Calm one they just do 6 times, but I’ve done it for about 20 mins, and it really works well.

Also go to heath food so and get rescue Remedy.

Good luck

A tiny dosage of 2mg diazepam did the trick for me. GP more likely to offer propanol I understand now, I'd speak to them about it. It's a one off but you're not alone in feeling this way.

I failed 3 times, passed on my 4th attempt. Each time the manoeuvres messed me up, due to nerves (tried to reverse 4 times with the hand break up ).

In the end I took beta blockers, listened to some driving nerves hypnotherapy before, got a relatively ok nights sleep, thought positively and somehow got through it. So relax as much as you can, do whatever you need to relax you and drive at a good pace but don’t rush. Also, concentrate and if something doesn’t feel right don’t panic, stay calm and think logically. All the best xxx

Its fairly normal to take several goes. I think I failed about 5 or 6 times, then went to automatic which cut out loads of stress and passed.
Also wearing lucky wonder woman pants definitely swung it. And eating a banana before the test.

Also remembering there is no limit to how many times you can take it. That it doesnt matter, and that youll get it one of these days.

I so know how you feel, this was me a few years ago.
It was my 4th and I'd decided final test, within 5 minutes I'd made a mistake, gone left instead of right and just thought fuck it, I've failed let's just get this over and done with!
Turns out since I didn't panic and just drove to get it over with, I ended up passing with one minor!
I know that doesn't really help you much but don't lose faith. You can do it and it certainly helps if you can leave the nerves at home.
Good luck

Rescue remedy water drops worked a treat for me. Also try to remember you are more than capable of passing and try to stay calm. I know its easier said than done I failed twice myself, but have everything crossed for you! Fail as much as you like, you only need to pass once.

I passed on my 3rd time, I was also really nervous the first two tests. A friend of mine recommended taking some polo mints with me and having one just as you walk to the car before your test. Then as you are driving try not to bite the polo, just suck it!! Worked for me.

Good luck

Thank you all so much

I have been doing automatic from the beginning so that makes it all the more shocking that I haven't passed

Hopefully I may pass today! Really hoping so. I can't wait to take my DS everywhere by car and not rely on a bus that never turns up and numerous taxis.

Any luck this time @youcanonlydraftthefuture ?

Bran Failed

I would absolutely second the suggestion of propanolol for next time. It won't make you feel doped out or anything, it just stops that adrenaline rush/fight or flight reaction.

I also passed on my 5th time having failed the other 4 due to nerves. On the 5th time the examiner got in relaxed in her seat like she may have a nap and said come on let's go. I just thought well she seems chilled fuck it let's just have a drive. Her attitude seemed to just relax me into not being so uptight. I'd recommend before you go watch something funny have a laugh and just try and think of absolutely anything else but the test to relax. You've clearly got the skill you can do this!

If there's a next time, hypnotherapy works well for situational stuff like this. But you have to find a good therapist. Are you in London?

Box Breathing, the SAS use it for stressful situations

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321805.php#the-box-breathing-method

Kalms and try convincing yourself he is your instructor. Just keep saying it to yourself

Do you need to drive?
Think bumper cars, you can do it.
Good luck to you ☘️

@youcanonlydraftthefuture

How did you get on?

beta blockers really do take the edge of 'situational anxiety', without any sedative effects. Not good if you've got low blood pressure, or heart issues, but otherwise, totally safe, non-habit forming, etc

Sorry didn't see your update. Was it nerves?

Urgh, onwards and upwards. Just keep trying. Book another one asap. You can drive, you know you can, this is just the annoying part.