Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

Driving test

13 replies

Wibblywobbly40 · 19/10/2020 11:00

I am posting here for traffic mainly and people's opinions

I have my driving test in a few weeks after doing driving lessons 40hours ish in total in a manual car I gave up and went automatic.

I came on leaps and bounds in the automatic and feel so much more comfortable driving it, anyway I am more than ready for my test but with covid and everything I have quite a wait.

I am a self doubter, no matter how much someone tells me I am doing things right or doing good at something I will always criticise myself or think I can do better, anyway to my actual point of this post.

My DH has kindly paid for these automatic lessons and my test and the pressure I am feeling to pass this test is really bad for 2 reasons 1. Because he has obviously paid and he has so much faith in me that I will pass. 2 because I know how long I will wait for another test if I do fail which probably means more money on lessons to keep on top of it to be a test standard , which is fine I can pay for them but the time of year it falls on will be a struggle.

I am on propanolol for anxiety I don't take them all the time just as and when needed would I be unreasonable to take one before my test (you can drive while taking these) to calm myself down??

Just a quick side note I have been obsessed with watching mock tests on YouTube and didn't realise how much stuff you can actually fail on

Sorry for the long post

OP posts:

Pootles34 · 19/10/2020 11:05

I feel your pain - it is really horrible waiting. Re your meds - discuss with your instructor, have you taken them before driving before? Definitely need to do a test run!

My instructor mentioned using beta blockers - I didn't in the end but think it's pretty common.

recklessruby · 19/10/2020 11:08

I failed my first test 30 years ago but passed 2nd time. I took kalms tablets and rescue remedy and was much calmer.
If you can drive on them and have no side effects I would take one.
I realise passing in a manual was a lot easier in my youth as dd is doing automatic. She was panicked by gears etc.
Remember if you weren't up to test standard your instructor wouldn't put you forward for the test.
Can you go out with dh for a bit of practice before the test? Obviously not if he drives a manual.
Dont think about the pressure on the day.
Just stay in the moment and think I can do this, I ve done it before and it's only an hour of my life.
Good luck. Nerves are horrible!

Original poster

Wibblywobbly40 · 19/10/2020 11:09

@Pootles34

I feel your pain - it is really horrible waiting. Re your meds - discuss with your instructor, have you taken them before driving before? Definitely need to do a test run!

My instructor mentioned using beta blockers - I didn't in the end but think it's pretty common.

I have to take them once a month for a couple of days with hormonal changes send my anxiety through the roof but as it happens I havent had a driving lesson on the days I have taken them, they don't make me feel drowsy or anything they just make me feel the only way I can describe it, is "normal"

OP posts:

Original poster

Wibblywobbly40 · 19/10/2020 11:13

I am not young myself I am mid thirties and decided it was better late than never.

We are both in a financial situation where we can afford 2 cars which ultimately made my decision to really push on and get through it.

He has also bought me a car which won't be delivered until end of November so I could go out with DH once that arrives but I am so worried I will pick up bad habits

OP posts:

RainbowParadise · 19/10/2020 11:17

I recently passed my test and I used propranolol for lessons to- it definitely didn't make me drowsy! Just takes the edge off the physical anxiety symptoms.

Also this is going to sound daft but eat a banana before! The energy is useful but it seriously seems to do something to help- this was recommended to me by my instructor but also a friend of mine and it worked 😂

Good luck, I know it's hard when you're a bit older (I'm 32) and feeling the pressure (the pandemic has been a nightmare too).

Original poster

Wibblywobbly40 · 19/10/2020 11:25

@RainbowParadise

I recently passed my test and I used propranolol for lessons to- it definitely didn't make me drowsy! Just takes the edge off the physical anxiety symptoms.

Good luck, I know it's hard when you're a bit older (I'm 32) and feeling the pressure (the pandemic has been a nightmare too).

Did you pass first time if you don't mind me asking?? I know everyone is different

I just know it's going to be something stupid I would fail for like something I know to do but decide on that point in my driving experience not to do it haha

I am such a negative nelly when it comes to stuff like this

OP posts:

Grobagsforever · 19/10/2020 12:21

Hi @Wibblywobbly40

I took my test at 34 in an automatic for the reasons you describe. I failed first time due to nerves and passed second time easily as was much calmer. I would definitely have taken propanol had I had some to hand!! (Have since taken them and driven on them for different not driving related reasons).

So yes I would 100 percent take the pill. Good luck!

Original poster

Wibblywobbly40 · 19/10/2020 14:18

Thank you i have a driving lesson tomorrow so I will give it a try, I am mot anxious driving but I am just in general an anxious person

OP posts:

RainbowParadise · 21/10/2020 17:16

@Wibblywobbly40 I only just saw this but yes I did pass first time- with two minors as well which still makes me laugh as I'm the most hopeless driver ever! And so completely nervous!

You can do it- try and be positive- I swear it made the difference for me. And I'd kind of mentally prepared myself that I'd fail and be having more lessons, I shocked myself when I passed.

Just give it everything and if you think you've done something wrong- move on from it quickly and concentrate on driving as best as you can from then on- you might not have done anything wrong and even if you have they may not have noticed!

Good luck 🍀

Lilac95 · 21/10/2020 17:19

You’ll be fine to take them. I take them daily for migraines and also anxiety at times. I’m also learning to drive and find taking my daily dose in time for my lessons helps me to stay calm and focused. Good luck!

zara020 · 21/10/2020 18:20

I was prescribed propranolol for my test (after 4 failures which came about through nerves) and I passed. I felt very relaxed. I also learnt in an automatic and feel it was the only way I would have done it.

Don't put yourself under too much pressure love, I bet you'll do it this time. You've obviously worked hard to feel as confident as you do now on lessons

Original poster

Wibblywobbly40 · 22/10/2020 07:55

I have already set myself up in my mind to think I will fail I think It just the way my brain is wired so then I am not as disappointed about things.

I had a driving lesson on Tuesday gone and I forgot to take one and I had such a bad lesson I drove terrible and I had been doing so well. I was so tense and I had a couple of non learner drivers just being complete idiots, I am sure one wanted to come and sit on the back seat and have a lesson on clearance himself he was that close to me.

I have another on Sunday so I am going to take one then and hopefully go back to the way I was driving and not dwell on the crappy drive I had on Tuesday

OP posts:

Hairbrush123 · 22/10/2020 10:33

Hi
I had very bad anxiety when I was learning to drive. I hated every second of it and the dread would sink in about the next lesson as soon as I finished my previous lesson! It was a long, tedious process but I did it in the end (took 5 times).

I was prescribed propranolol for anxiety during driving lessons too but I felt groggy - so I stopped taking them. I just tried to remain positive during my lessons and pushed myself to do them even though I couldn’t think of worse!

As others have echoed, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Learning to drive isn’t easy so well done getting to the stage where you’re test ready and not giving up. Your instructor thinks you’re capable of passing the test hence why he’s recommended you book it. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, it won’t do you any good. Don’t worry about bad lessons before the test! I actually clipped someone’s wing mirror while doing a parallel park on the hour before my final test and I still passed let us know how you get on OP and good luck!

Flip