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Failed driving test 5 times. Should I give up?

116 replies

Lola0426 · 04/11/2020 19:27

Hi guys,

I hope you're well and in the best of health.
I have unfortunately failed my 5th driving test today. I was really hoping to pass with us going into lockdown tomorrow and I presume the wait for next available tests would be very long.

I've recently bought a car so for the past couple of months, DH has been teaching me to drive. I have learned a lot from the last time I took a test (last year). I thought this would be the time I pass. I drove really well, managed my nervous which I thought I wouldn't be able to do. But on the way back to the test center the examiner said I made a dangerous mistake on a roundabout and gave me a serious because a builder was in the middle of a street with cars parked on both sides and had to close his van door and move out of the way so I can get through. I don't quite understand how this is a serious offence.

The examiner was very unpleasant, didn't say a word the whole journey and made me change my face mask because apparently the first one I was wearing "wasn't covering my nose", which wasn't true. But, thank God, I had a spare surgical mask in my car, even then she was complaining, I had to pull it all the way up so it was almost sitting on my bottom eyelashes.

I feel very disheartened, disappointed and discouraged 😞 and I think maybe driving isn't for me..have anyone felt this before? I'm in between two mind; to stop or continue until one day I perhaps may pass.

OP posts:
Taylrse · 04/11/2020 19:49

I passed on my 6th attempt! I even had an examiner twice as I must have gone through them all Blush

I found some of the examiners could be very unfriendly and the atmosphere was very tense as a result. That didn't help at all when you're already feeling nervous.

Don't give up!

37weekswithno2 · 04/11/2020 19:52

It doesn’t matter that much for the impending lockdown as you can still drive on a provisional license, so you at least won’t have to rely on public transport for food shopping etc

You can't drive by yourself on a provisional license!

RedHelenB · 04/11/2020 19:53

Dint give up, but you sound like you are making excuses for your failure
You need to learn from these mistakes or you wont be a safe driver
I took a lot of tests, but passed when I was ready and have been a safe driver for quite a while . Keep practising and put in for it again asap.

ticktackted · 04/11/2020 19:54

My husband did 6, my cousin 9. Both are excellent drivers but got nervous. I know it's annoying & expensive - but no need to give up if it's something you want!

Fabvegetablegrower · 04/11/2020 19:54

Please don't give up. I passed on the 5th one but still think I drove better on my 4th. Good luck.

Caramel81 · 04/11/2020 19:57

I gave up on my 5th attempt and I regret it now. I should have just stuck at it but it’s been years since I had a lesson so I feel like I’d be back to square one again. Not being able to drive can really be an inconvenience at times. Keep going and you’ll hopefully pass within the next go or two

VinylDetective · 04/11/2020 19:59

Don’t give up. I passed on the 7th attempt. You’ll get there.

DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 04/11/2020 20:03

I know someone who passed on her 9th attempt (she was the test before me and I also passed on my 2nd attempt). Keep at it!

TheLookOfLove · 04/11/2020 20:04

Dont give up. One day will be your day. I took years of on/ off lessons and drove worse on my last test ( with the chief examiner) than I ever had,everything went wrong...I passed because he said I coped well!

kayakingmum · 04/11/2020 20:05

I don't know. I think some people are not capable of learning to drive. My sister spent many years learning. No driving instructor would put her in for her test. Eventually she accepted it and now lives near a main line station so she can get around.
I wouldn't want to spend good money after bad. I would give it another 6 months.

namechangetheworld · 04/11/2020 20:05

Keep going! I passed on my 8th try. I don't exactly enjoy driving, but life would be so much more difficult without being able to.

ticketstub · 04/11/2020 20:08

I had 120 lessons and passed on my 6th attempt. I've been driving now for 20 years with no issues. I'm not a natural driver but I'm cautious and careful. Having a car gives me so much freedom.

InMyOwnParticularIdiom · 04/11/2020 20:14

Keep going, I also failed 5 times due to nerves but passed on 6th attempt last summer, after 18 months of weekly lessons, and was so relieved I sort of lost all coordination and almost fainted when the examiner told me I'd passed! It's so much more convenient now, going shopping and taking DD to nursery and classes. I will always be a cautious driver I think but at least there's room to keep learning and grow in confidence.

I briefly held my driving instructors' record for student with the most fails, but was then surpassed by someone who took 7 attempts Wink

Kjled · 04/11/2020 20:16

Don’t give up I know how disheartening it is I passed on my 5th time. I had the same examiner twice who was rude and horrible and would never have passed me. I honestly believe it’s a big factor the one I passed with was a lovely lady who spoke to me like an actual human being.

Longdistance · 04/11/2020 20:16

I passed 7th time. Don’t give up. I’ve had my license for 25 years now. I consider myself as being a really good driver. No points ever on my license and have never caused an accident touches wood.

SonjaMorgan · 04/11/2020 20:18

Don't give up. I have been driving for years and make little mistakes everytime I get in the car, most drivers wouldn't pass their tests if they have to resit. Best of luck for the next time.

BlueThistles · 04/11/2020 20:21

Keep going OP.. you can do this Flowers

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 04/11/2020 20:24

Keep going!

It seems incredibly hard to pass in the uk. One has to assume there are a LOT of unlicensed drivers on the road because not many drive like they could have passed!

Keep going, you'll get there. Have a few more lessons with an instructor. You need to learn how to pass now, not how to drive!

Good luck!!

Tattoocrazymum · 04/11/2020 20:26

I passed 2nd time, but it did cost me around £2,000 to get to test ready
As for the theory, i finally passed 4th time

Dont give up, you will pass when you are ready.

Tattoocrazymum · 04/11/2020 20:27

Infact at £38 a lesson i think it ended up being alot more than 2k

oldmotherriley · 04/11/2020 20:27

You need lessons from a professional instructor. It's not so much that they teach you to drive - they do - but that they teach you HOW TO PASS THE TEST.

ticketstub · 04/11/2020 20:27

After several test fails, I stopped telling people I had a driving test due.

This seemed to reduce my nervousness as I wasn't also worrying about having to tell people I'd failed again or worry what they were thinking of me.

dottiedodah · 04/11/2020 20:31

Im sorry to hear you didnt pass this time .I struggled when first learning to drive and gave up for a while .Second time around totally different Really nice female Instructor who put me at my ease .I looked forward to my lessons with her so much .Just like going out with a friend! Maybe have a short break and have some professional lessons .It is much better to be taught by an expert, and maybe just practise with DH as well .As my friend said at the time once you pass its yours for life ,so well worth continuing .

dottiedodah · 04/11/2020 20:33

As above PP said I didnt say when I was taking my test to anyone else .Stops pressure

Batmanandbobbin · 04/11/2020 20:40

I took 6!

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