To not be over the fact I have a driving licence

[Hairbrush123]

I passed my driving test about four years ago after so many failed attempts (six I think) and years of learning! Whenever I jump into my car or look at my licence - I always feel a tiny bit happy that I managed to pass my test and didn’t give up as it’s helped me so much!

Please tell me I’m not the only one?

Well done you- sticking in through those attempts. I admit I take mine for granted - got it at 17 - I am almost 60 now. But a friend recently passed hers ( a younger friend! ) and it will make a huge difference in her life.
It is a privilege - to be able to afford to learn and to maintain your standards and keep your licence. I will hate it when I have to give it up.

It’s not just you. I passed about 20 years ago on my 5th attempt and soooo many lessons. I still find it exciting to be able to drive and thank god I persevered and finally passed. I think it’s just pride in our achievement. You wouldn’t get this if you’d passed first time 😂

@Quickchangeartiste

Well done you- sticking in through those attempts. I admit I take mine for granted - got it at 17 - I am almost 60 now. But a friend recently passed hers ( a younger friend! ) and it will make a huge difference in her life. It is a privilege - to be able to afford to learn and to maintain your standards and keep your licence. I will hate it when I have to give it up.

So true! I’m only in my 20s so hopefully I have it for much longer!

@Alldressedup I agree! Well done us for persevering!

Achievable goals, they are the route to happiness!

I like passports. All full of potential.

I’m learning after years of swearing I never would, I can’t wait to pass but I expect to take many attempts

Ah I am at the other end .... To renew my licence which my age killed, I would have to pass a test every year. I loved my driving decades; revelled in them but no real regrets now.

Not unreasonable at all - you worked hard!

I hated learning to drive but am thrilled I did as well!

You are not alone, passing my driving test is the most difficult thing I've ever done

It's not just you. I passed my test at the third attempt 36 years ago and I still feel so happy that I finally did it. Being able to drive gave me my independence and freedom and I'm still proud of that achievement.

Fantastic that you kept at it and can now reap the rewards!

I failed two (back when it was much easier) and ended up passing and going on to do an advanced one. I love driving now.

@FelicityBeedle

I’m learning after years of swearing I never would, I can’t wait to pass but I expect to take many attempts

Same here, at the age of 52. I was never going to learn and was happy to walk or take public transport but the last 18 months have left me feeling a bit trapped. I’ve only had seven lessons so far but I’m really starting to enjoy learning, I know it’ll be a long time before I eventually pass but I really can’t wait.

Not just you. I have relatives who gave up and see how limited their choices can be.

It also depends on your instructor. I was lucky to have one who was determined to see my pass, and actually loved their job.

Whereas I know people who were taken for long 2 hour lessons with no plan for passing.

I was the same OP, used to be sick with nerves before each test. I thought I failed early on in the last one so I actually just went through the motions and I think that worked. That was 12 years ago and I still remember the date each year! Well done, you should be so proud of sticking with it.

I passed at 34, and it's opened my world up so much - I'm not sure how I convinced myself that I didn't need to drive before then!

When I was 14, my next door neighbour (lovely Grace) said to me: "As soon as you are old enough get your driving licence" - my parents never drove, not really a problem in the 70s, loads of people without cars then.

It was one of the best things I ever did

I know exactly what you mean! I passed 3 years ago at 39 and still can't believe I can go to the beach whenever I want!
I was terrified of driving and even after passing I didn't want to drive!
Still a bit nervous but Im so proud of myself for doing it.
Love driving now, feel like a proper adult! 😁

I did my test in my 30s (passed 2nd time). I remember being driven back from the test centre and not believing I had passed. It was months before then that I was convinced I would never drive as it all seemed like so much to take in and do at once.

I took lessons on and off for years then when I became pregnant at 40 decided I had to learn for real. I failed my test six times before I changed my car for an automatic and finally passed my test.

Driving my car is now my absolute happy place.

I can remember the day of my last test so well! I remember I clipped someone’s wing mirror during a parallel park and my instructor shrugged it off and said it’s only last minute nerves don’t worry! I thought I had failed for indicating left instead of right but clearly not! I actually cried when he said I passed and he looks a bit overwhelmed . So glad to see I’m not the only one!

I struggled with driving, failed my test a couple of times when I was 17-18 and then went to uni in a city where you could walk most places or get a £5 taxi so there wasn’t much incentive to try again.

Finally learnt again in my mid 20s and it was a proper slog but got there in the end but so glad I did. Especially post-uni when my friends settled in different cities across the U.K. or got married in rural locations off the beaten track - having a car became a necessity. I love the freedom it brings. I used to be quite a stressed/anxious driver which is why it was such a tricky thing for me, but now I actively enjoy it.

I was 45 when I passed my test (domestic issues rather than failed tests, although I did fail my first one). That was 3 years ago, and my default driving face is still a huge, silly grin! I often feel unreasonably surprised and happy that I'm actually allowed to drive without supervision!
I'm not sure that I go to more places or do more things now than I did before, but the knowledge that I can is a very powerful thing.