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AIBU?

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Original poster

I cannot pass a driving test

84 replies

JillBob · 18/08/2020 17:59

So long story short, I attempted to pass my drive test when I was 17 and failed miserably 3 times. First my driving instructor pushed me too early, 2nd I thought I’d pass and didn’t and third my driving instructor lost interest so I had 8 weeks of no driving before a test and obviously failed...

17 years later I’m here again much to my annoyance (husband pushing it, I have two kids now and I hate my job so driving would probably sort both).

Absolutely love my driving instructor, he’s completely different to the one when I had when I was younger and had made me like driving. Today I had my first test and failed within 10 minutes. I’m so upset. I’m a really competent driver outside of test but I just lose it at test.

Can anyone help me workout what to do?! I’m properly heartbroken today (I feel 17 again and can’t shake it).

How do you pass? I feel like an idiot

OP posts:
BillysMyBunny · 18/08/2020 19:56

I failed 4 tests in my teens and learnt again in my 30s. I failed once again and was convinced that was it, I was never going to pass but I finally passed my next one. So I took 6 tests in all but did get there in the end!

Namechangerextraordinaire1 · 18/08/2020 19:59

I passed my 7th practical test, first theory. I could drive, but neeves made me fall to pieces too and do the most ridiculously stupid things. I also think that it made me a much better driver at the point of passing though. I had two friends who passed forst time have accidents within months of passing. Of course plenty of people pass first time and don't have accidents too, but it did make me think

4cats2kids · 18/08/2020 20:03

I took five attempts to pass. Keep practicing. It’s one of those skills that takes some of us longer than others to perfect. I took bloody ages!

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 18/08/2020 20:04

I took 7 times..something different each time but got there eventually. Think more nerves but keep going!

Badassmama · 18/08/2020 20:07

Failed 5 tests and still not driving. I had the same issue with the test guy at 4 of them, planning to start lessons again and go for an automatic as hopefully this will help me get rid of my hesitation issues and I’ll make it. May be something to consider?

gamerchick · 18/08/2020 20:08

Definitely beta blockers.

Also remember, they're not looking for a good driver, they're looking for a safe one. Don't let it put you off.

Kitkat05 · 18/08/2020 20:10

I passed 3rd time.. my sister passed on 7th go

Joeblack066 · 18/08/2020 20:10

My DIL has hypnotherapy and passed in her 5th test. She’s a great driver, just went to pieces in the test

DownstairsMixUp · 18/08/2020 20:12

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

SparklyShoesandTutus · 18/08/2020 20:14

I was similar really competent in lessons but my nerves got the better of me in tests. On my 5th test the examiner told me not to book another one until I'd been to the GP. She shared her experience of being prescribed betablockers to complete her test. Due to my low blood pressure my GP wouldn't prescribe betablockers but did prescribe diazepam (told me to try it on an occasion before my test) I did and passed on my next test. All the best and don't give up.

slashlover · 18/08/2020 20:16

Failed 5 times, took the test in an automatic and passed. I drove an automatic for a year then had a couple of lessons in a manual and passed.

Original poster
JillBob · 18/08/2020 20:28

@SparklyShoesandTutus I’ve always had fairly low blood pressure. Maybe worth a try

OP posts:
Northernsoullover · 19/08/2020 07:51

I have low blood pressure and it was never mentioned as a problem. I'm very suspicious of diazepam as in its really hard to get hold of and its renowned for making people drowsy.

1Bobbinwinder · 19/08/2020 07:55

You can do it, please keep going! I passed on third attempt ages 30 and what's more I learnt on an automatic. Some people sniff but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Still my proudest achievement to date as I found the whole process of learning and taking repeated tests an absolute ordeal.

It has changed my life. Funnily enough I feel i am a good driver and everyone who gets in the car says I seem very confident...well, I cried before during and after my final (successful) test!

Good luck and keep us posted.

ihatelockdown · 19/08/2020 07:55

This was the same as me! I ended up doing automatic! I passed after my 5th attempt but 1st time in automatic.

leftovercoffeecake · 19/08/2020 07:56

I passed on my 8th test. My first instructor was entering me too early, so I kept failing and my nerves were shot. I finally switched to a new instructor who told me there was no way he’d have been putting me forward for tests yet. He improved my skills, but by this point I was so anxious about failing, it made me fall to pieces in the test.

He suggested I switch to automatic, as he taught both. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. A total fresh start. Passed first time in the automatic.

justinhawkinsnavalfluff · 19/08/2020 08:00

Ok it took me 5 times. My main advice is relax!!!! The day I actually passed my instructor nearly sent me the wrong way up a one way street during a pre lesson. I laughed so hard I stopped being nervous.

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/08/2020 08:02

My sister failed about 7 times and eventually gave up. I think her problem was focussing too much on the theory, she would practice by drawing diagrams of what should happen at a roundabout, for example, and then was thrown because other drivers didn't behave as she expected them to. Knowing the theory is very important but reading the road and being aware of what crazy things other road users are about to do is also very important.

Alwaysoutofreach · 19/08/2020 08:03

Change your thought path.

Instead of telling yourself you need to pass this test, tell yourself your showing this new person how well you can drive.

Ask for the radio on of it helps, talk to the instructor, humm, you can do it!

LadyFlumpalot · 19/08/2020 08:08

Hi OP,

I failed an embarrassing number of times, always because of nerves. I would overthink and hesitate.

In the end my instructor booked me in for the latest test he could, picked me up at 8am and we spent the whole day driving the test routes.

By the time of the test I was so fed up of driving round and round and round that I focused on just getting it done so I could go home and I passed easily.

Maybe try something like that instead.

bibliomania · 19/08/2020 08:09

As a new learner in my mid-40s, I'm very heartened to read this. No above, op, as I haven't succeeded yet. I do find it liberating to go into a test thinking that I don't have to pass this one, and I can treat it like a trial run.

bibliomania · 19/08/2020 08:09

*no advice

Zebrahooves · 19/08/2020 08:22

@bibliomania I passed my first ever driving test in my 40s. It can be done. Good luck.

bibliomania · 19/08/2020 08:36

Thanks zebra. It is still a way off as I only started lessons recently, after what felt like humiliating failures in my 20s. Looking back, I don't know why I took it to heart so much, as it was pretty standard learner stuff, but I just never built up confidence.

Kjled · 20/08/2020 13:46

It took me 5 times before the 5th I tried hypnosis before the test . I wasn’t convinced before but I think it helped me to be more positive. Also the lady said she would refund me if I didn’t pass. Could be worth a try if you find someone in your area.

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