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.

No no no! My Instructor recommended I switch from manual to automatic because I was sooo bad but I persevered! Failed three times! It's been 10 years since I've had my license and no one is any wiser and doesn't care . Keep going OP!!!

The only people that don’t pass are the ones that give up and don’t take the test.

Driving wasn’t easy for me I took 7 attempts from 17 to 30. I was scared of taking the test and I don’t know how much I spent learning to drive as I was fearful of failing.

But 12 years later, I have to drive for my job and touch wood apart from scraping a car in a car park I’ve never had a bump that’s my fault. I feel confident and safe as a driver.

Nooooo. I took 8 tests before I passed.

Have driven since then for 20+ years without a single point on my license. Ok a few prangs but never injured anyone. Just my car.

Keep going. Get through the test and then you're a driver. All good to go.

I took 7 ... total nerves. I then passed advanced driving course through work a couple years later no issues at all.

Sorry you didn't pass, but don't give up. I know people who have taken their test more than 5 times and later passed.

You do sound confident enough to drive...stick with it.

Please don't give up.
I passed on my 6th attempt - 20+ years later I'm still proud of myself and I've bored my children for years about not giving up if you really want something. Good luck OP.

No keep on keeping on. This lot did!
www.gov.uk/government/publications/person-who-failed-the-most-theory-and-practical-car-driving-tests/person-who-failed-the-most-theory-and-practical-car-driving-tests

Keep going! I passed third time but it was after thousands of pounds and 5 years of off and on again lessons. Wish I'd just stuck it out from the beginning. Driving is literally the best thing I've ever done

Don't give up. I passed after the 7th attempt when I tried in an automatic.

Keep going! My cousin started lessons at 18, finally passed at 38 (she wasn't continuously doing lessons and tests; she was in and out for 20 years).
I have not had a lesson for around 10 years but intend to try again when it's safe. Not having a car is really restricting, IMO. I have to plan more than just jumping in a car and going where I want to!

Don't give up !! I was having lessons in my 20s when a bus hit me on a roundabout. Totally their fault but it put me completely off . I then spent almost 30 years mortified that I couldn't drive . Finally my husband became ill and wasn't able to drive . So at 48 I started learning again. It took me two whole years of lessons but I passed first time at 50 . Don't waste years wishing you could , carry on now you can do it

Don’t give up! I nearly did on my second fail (when on the way home my instructor kept saying he couldn’t understand it because ‘you can do it love!’). I passed third time because at one point on the test I noticed a large lorry carrying a dozen cars taking its time turning at the lights. I gave it loads of room to make the manoeuvre and I remember something at that point took over in my decision making and I stopped being a learner and became a driver.

I passed my test on that.

Keep going, you will get there!

Make a change in instructor and/or driving school

I took test in automatic, much easier, never regretted it. I had a driving license from a developing country that was not valid in the U.K. despite having driven for 15 years, accident free, in crazy traffic I failed 4 tests here.

Keep at it, you’re almost there

This is why in the U.S. 90% of cars are automatic. I learned to drive in 2 hours and passed the test. And for those who will say I don't know how to drive, I've been driving now for 15 years with no accidents.

Manual cars are needlessly difficult to drive with no real fuel economy benefits anymore. They should stop making them.

Keep going, I passed on my 6th attempt in my own car.

It will be worth having a few lessons with a driving instructor before your next test. Ask them to do a few mock tests with you. They will know the routes that come up on the test and will let you know if there’s anything you would have failed on.