Failed driving test 5 times. Should I give up?

[Lola0426]

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.

Absolutely don’t.

I passed on the 8th try

Try to think of it as a driving observation, rather than a test, which is quite a scary word to many people.

They’re just observing you to see if you are a safe enough driver to be out in the road alone, or if you need further instruction.

Yes, keep going! They do fail you on some really silly things sometimes. I passed this year, and I know I’ve made mistakes since that I would have failed for.

And you really don’t learn to drive until you’ve passed. I felt so out of depth when I got my licence; it’s taken me seven months to feel remotely confident.

Good luck - it’s hard, but it’s worth it.

It took me ten attempts. It’s just luck! I would have passed my 9th test if there hadn’t been a pedestrian at the crossing who stepped out in front of me despite the light being green. I would have passed my 8th test if a car hadn’t cut me up. Etc. I’ve never had an accident since passing my test. DH passed first time and has written off two cars.

Keep going! Keep calm about it and set a date for your next test. Between now and then just practice at every possible opportunity and stay positive about it. And if that time isn’t successful, try again.

Be resilient and determined about this. You can do it!

Hello. I was in your shoes, I had failed my driving test 4-5 times before eventually passing. So I passed on my 5th/6th attempt? I was so upset every time I failed! I cried and would torture myself for every little mistake I made during the test. Don’t be hard on yourself. I’ve now been driving for 3 years and I haven’t had an accident despite driving over 12,000 miles a year.

Giving up isn’t an option, you will regret it. You’re clearly up to test standards if you’ve been told you’re test ready. You must keep trying. Even if it takes 100 times to pass, your driving license will not be different from anyone else’s and it will be worth it.

Have you been to see a GP for beta blockers? They didn’t really help me but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t help you good luck and don’t give up.

I gave up after my 5th failed test. That was nearly two years ago. I haven’t drove since. My instructor said I was one of his best students & couldn’t understand why I was failing. I think the last test just knocked my confidence too much.

I’d have to re-take my theory & have lessons again if I wanted to give it another go. I’m nearly 50, not that age really matters but this is something that I really should have done at 17!

Don’t do what I did, stick with it. I wish I had.

Keep going. My mum took 5 or 6 goes to pass but she got it in the end. Can you try a different test centre? My mum changed to a new one and it really helped. I'm not sure why (I was only 11) but I imagine the traffic etc was different

I passed on.my 7th test. I got really nervous before my tests! Don't give up, I am so glad I didn't and can drive.

As Bryan Adams said on that track with Chicane...

Don't give up, you know it's true
Gotta do what you wanna to do

Another vote for not giving up here! I used to get so upset every time I failed, but I kept trying and finally passed on my sixth attempt. Just remember that once you pass it really won’t matter how many times it’s taken, when I drive past someone I have no idea whether they passed on their first test or their 50th and they don’t know or care how many times it took me either

It's one test where it doesn't matter how many times you try it, once you've passed, you've passed. Unlike eg exams where you have to give attempts and previous grades.

What matters is "are you a safe driver" and once you have passed, you are deemed to be so.

I passed first time but the test was easier and I have a good "exam" brain and don't get flustered. I am sure most people fail the driving test because they are nervous and you have to get over the nerves. It can also just depend on the drivers etc you encounter on the day - what might be a fault isn't if it happens in a slightly different context.

Good luck for the next time! The bigger problem at the moment is getting the test dates with lockdowns :(

As others have said don't give up, my DD took about 8 attempts, she never made any major errors and failed one time for waiting behind a bus instead of overtaking it and on the next test for going past a stationery bus instead of waiting, it would appear that sometimes you cant win. She passed in the end and is a very good driver.

I took loads, don't give up! I'd keep going with professional lessons and it always used to be an option to have your instructor sit in the back of the car to watch the test if you want, might be worth doing that as then they can feed back on what's happening

Don't give up. Get a better teacher.

The best drivers pass on their 9 th attempt. That is a fact.

Don't give up! I passed on my 6th one and now drive every day and consider myself a good and careful driver.

Don't give up the more you do it the more experience you have

Don't give up! Consider a new teacher though? But you will get there eventually :)

Don't lose heart!
It took me 5 tests between the age of 18 and 21.
Best thing I ever did as without my car my life would be harder now.
You will regret it if you give up.

I passed on my 7th go, anxiety kept ruining it for me until I got a friendly examiner who put me at my ease, I don’t understand why they have to be so scary!

My DH had ten attempts before he passed so don’t give up. He’s a decent driver, he just panicked during tests and made silly mistakes.

You've all motivated me & encouraged me to stick with it which I will do

I took six attempts I have 19 years no claims touch wood, lol

I failed many times (dont even want to admit the number) i changed instructor and the new guy said I wasnt quite ready to test and gave me a few more lessons before my next test going around the same area and practising manouvers. After that i passed on the next go.