Failed 6th driving test. Can't bring myself to book test 7

[bellaella18]

Just failed my 6th driving test this morning. I'm absolutely gutted. I drove pretty well, completed the parking manœuvre correctly. However, when we got to the motorway, traffic was pretty slow and the examiner failed me for not having the appropriate distance from the car ahead ( he said I was too close, about a car's length instead of 2).

I feel embarrassed that I've let myself and family down again. I'm finding it so difficult to book another test.

Any help and support would be greatly appreciated.

Do it, and do it again until you pass no matter how many times it takes. Do it for you, never mind what your family thinks.
My sister did hers 21 times before she passed.

Ah it’s horrible isn’t it, but it will feel so good when you finally pass. You’re so close now, don’t give up!

Agree just book and do it, failing does not mean you can’t drive. My daughter failed a few and the video feedback was baffling, no one could see the error the examiner failed her on.
Next time don’t tell anyone, just book it and go for it.
Best of luck to you xxx

Keep going. Tests are hard as you feel so pressured. You will get there

I passed on my 7th.
Tip - don't tell anyone when your next test is booked and good luck

Took my mum 8 times and my aunt 17x! Both are thrilled to be driving now. If driving matters to you, don't give up, you'll get there

Keep going
You will get it

Where are you doing your test that they took you on a motorway?

Agree with a PP, don’t tell anyone when you book your next test.

Keep on with it, don't give up. I failed 5 before I eventually passed. (that was 25yrs ago when I was late 30s). Think of the time and money you've already spent on it - it would be a waste to give up now.

The convenience of being able to go to places by driving there is great.

Keep going, you'll be an awesome driver when you get it, far better than people who passed first or second time!

I passed second time (before.motorway driving was on the test) and I was a terrible driver for at least a year after. Petrified of the motorway. All fine now, it takes time to bed in for some people.

I’m sorry OP, you must feel so deflated. But, onwards and upwards. Book again and like others have said, don’t tell anyone. When you’re not feeling like you’re letting people down (which you aren’t) you might feel more relaxed about it and not pressured so much.

Keep going - it will happen for you, and driving really does make your life so much easier. I passed on my ninth attempt!

I actually happened to mention it in a job interview once, and my boss told me months afterwards it was what convinced her to give her me the job - she said it showed that I had great resilience and a can-do attitude

I should add that I had to do a more advanced driving test a couple of weeks ago (an hour's driving with an instructor and Occupational Therapist in the car) and an hour of cognitive function tests, as I had a stroke in July. I passed and am driving about again, all fine.

Keep going or all the money that you have spent on lessons and tests will be wasted.

You’ll get there.

It took me 3 tests to pass(my nerves just got the better of me each time) the advice I was given before my 3rd test was to eat a banana as they are supposed to help you feel calm.

Thank you all so so much for your kind and supportive messages.
Sorry, I meant to write a dual carriage way not a motorway.

Dont give up! I passed 2nd time .Had a bit of a gap in between tests though .Passed on an Auto with a female instructor, of a similar sort of age . Maybe try an Automatic next time

Fuck me op, if you've driven so poorly that you've failed 6 times, are you sure you should be driving?

You're allowed 15 minor faults and still pass, let's be honest that if things are going so badly that you've exceeded this level, I'd rather you weren't on the road.

£62 a go for the test itself, plus 2 hours of instructor time, never mind lessons in between. The financial cost alone is staggering.

It's perfectly OK not to drive. I have friends who passed first time but have never driven since. I have friends who've had a licence years but hate driving. I have friends who passed but are terrified and daren't drive on their own.

Who is piling on the pressure OP? Driving is HARD, and not all of us get it. Surely it's safer to not be on the roads rather than because you feel forced to.

You're allowed 15 minor faults and still pass, let's be honest that if things are going so badly that you've exceeded this level, I'd rather you weren't on the road.

I bet you make many minor mistakes when you drive.

Is that an immediate fail? That seems pretty harsh to me.

You know what you did wrong OP and it's such a minor thing, that many experienced drivers would also fail on, realistically.

I passed on my 9th test. I kept going because I knew if I jacked it in all the failures and money would have been for nothing. Unlike you though, I stopped caring about failing after about test 4, I just got so used to it.

When the guy finally told me I'd passed I was so surprised as I had felt I was destined just to hear the words "failed" forever.

I'm with Fuuuuukit.

There are far too many people on the road who shouldn't be driving already. It's clearly not for everyone.

I think there should be an upper limit on the number of times you can take the test TBH.

21 times? That's just insanity.

Oh sod off, @Fuuuuuckit, she isn't on the bloody roads, is she!? I failed with one major fault, I had no minors whatsoever (but a driver didn't pull out when they should have done, to allow me, the learner drive, to drive on, which drivers should NEVER do because no one does that after you've passed, and after waiting for aaaaages for then to move I decided to go for it. Fail). My sister passed on her seventh go, having failed the first she just psyched herself out. I'm sure if they needed to have a limit on number of attempts they'd be capable of instigating that

Pretty slow on a dual carriageway?

Even at 20mph stopping distance is 40 feet, I'd say one car length is dangerously close, and a rightful fail.

Was that your only fault op?

@Fuuuuuckit

Fuck me op, if you've driven so poorly that you've failed 6 times, are you sure you should be driving?

You're allowed 15 minor faults and still pass, let's be honest that if things are going so badly that you've exceeded this level, I'd rather you weren't on the road.

£62 a go for the test itself, plus 2 hours of instructor time, never mind lessons in between. The financial cost alone is staggering.

It's perfectly OK not to drive. I have friends who passed first time but have never driven since. I have friends who've had a licence years but hate driving. I have friends who passed but are terrified and daren't drive on their own.

Who is piling on the pressure OP? Driving is HARD, and not all of us get it. Surely it's safer to not be on the roads rather than because you feel forced to.

Driving is a basic life skill.

Everyone should have to be able to drive, even if they choose not to drive a car

Don't give up!! Its so disappointing but it'll be worth it when you pass, I passed on my 4th time