To think I'm a complete failure!

[Accbabymom1994]

I had a driving test 3rd time and I failed ! I failed because I stalled at a junction turning right because my gear was in 4th gear . I didn't realise and the car rolled back , i was so nervous beforehand and when we parked left hand side I actually just said I have failed haven't I? And he said yes you have, I just feel so miserable, I have a child who is SEN and I really needed to get it done . How many attempts did it get u guys to pass ?

A friend was in double digits when she passed and I havent been able to pass yet! Nerves are awful and so easy to beat yourself up but you have a great reason to keep going and try again.

Can you get a driving instructor to do a lesson like a test? Do you have someone you can just drive around with for a while before the test to get into the zone?

You got this!

My instructor said my driving is perfect but I dno I think it's nerves on the day

8th time. After a vile comment from exh ringing in my ears ecah time I failed.. Made me more determined to pass. 2 paracetamol and a Mars as advised by my instructor saw me pass....

First 2 times I had a banana and paracetamol, I've not told my DH he thinks I failed once lol

You’re not a failure; you’ve learned to drive! Your instructor says you can do it. You have trouble passing the test - a lot of us are crap test-takers, and it’s unfortunate that getting a driving license is an all-or-nothing thing, which relies on your performance in one very stressful situation.

You’ll get there. But I’m so sorry that it didn’t work out this time, and for the extra stress and hassle that’s going to cause you. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You are not a failure.

What did u fail on x

Thank you xx

Passed on sixth time.

Don't be too hard on yourself - it will just make it worse next time you get to your test.

Do you driving outside of lessons?
Have you driven all the test routes to be comfortable with them?
Driving to others directions not your instructor or taking the route you want?

I get really anxious a test situations - exams, driving tests even passport control lol. I did an extensive course for a week where I was in the car for like 6 hours a day for 6 days then test the 7th day. It made me really comfortable with the car and we drove the tests routes hundreds of times. I failed the test at the end of the course but I spent the month between the tests driving everywhere - to the shops, dropping my DH at work (walking or bus home lol), my DH did literally no driving that month.

You're not a failure.

I passed on my fourth time. I kept falling because of making silly mistakes through nerves.

Don't beat yourself up. The driving test is really hard. I'm not convinced I could do an absolutely perfect run now and I consider myself a good driver. Some of it is just luck on the day.

Keep going, you'll get there.

Took me seven times! I wear it as a badge of pride… I’m persistent (but not a great driver 😂)

I'm in Birmingham so failed at South Yardley then went to Shirley now gna do South Yardley again

I have hope now hopefully one day

Yeah make sure you take it somewhere you're really familiar with.

I took the three I failed in the surrounding area to me as my local test centre was busy. My logic was that if I could drive, I could drive anywhere. But it's so much harder if you're not very familiar with the roads.

I thought South Yardley was busier but Shirley has weird roundabouts and smaller junctions

@Arctangent did u pass ?

There comes a point where you can drive fine, and it's just a bit of a lottery. The more tests you take, the less nervous you will feel and the more chance you'll pass, but every time is still a roll of the dice.

Chin up, just keep on keeping on. You'll get there. It's just a ball ache while tests are so hard to get.

I booked in Jan now

Just keep going OP it’s too expensive to stop now and then relearn later. I passed fourth time after a series of embarrassing errors. I felt very intimidated by the unsmiling male examiners. In the end it was patient DH who gave me loads of practice with a set of giant lorry mirrors screwed onto the car so I could properly see🤣.

My auntie took it seven times then passed after a large sherry 😳but obviously that was back in the dark ages and wouldnt work now. The point is it was nerves not incompetence that was the problem so can you learn some relaxation techniques plus have masses of practice around easy roads, car parks etc so you don’t even have to think about changing gear at a junction? Good luck

Lots of people who can drive just fine fail their driving test. I think part of the problem is at your test you are really thinking about your driving and, even after 30 years of driving, I find things can go to pot when I think about them rather than doing them sub-consciously. That one in million time when you actually think about your gears rather than just changing them sub-consciously as you drive. That's when you crunch them!

I'm not for a minute suggesting people shouldn't 100% concentrate on what they're doing when they're driving! I am cautious when out on the roads.

But I think long term drivers will agree that so much of what you're doing is muscle memory. As a trained touch typist, I also find the same when I start thinking about where the letters are on the keyboard.

Mate, I'm not even good enough to be put forward for a test, never mind get a chance at failing one. 4 different driving instructors and been learning on and off for 15 years and I've never got the hang of it.

I am 37 years old and feel like a complete and utter loser. I hide the fact I can't drive because I'm so embarrassed

So don't sweat it. You're already doing much better than some of us.

Yes, fourth time!

I had to have all the windows open (in January) because I was so nervous it was making me feel like I was going to puke, but I passed.

I've been driving for years now and I love it.

So do all the roads in the country.

You can't just be intending to drive around your local area when you pass.

Fourth time here too. It was the manoeuvres that got me as well as ridiculous amount of nerves/adrenaline that meant I could barely control the clutch because my leg was shaking so badly which got worse with each test.

Got prescribed beta blockers for final one and they really helped .

A woman I knew passed on her 9th time.
She was the worst driver I'd ever known.

I don't think people should be allowed to take it more than four times. They're obviously terrible drivers and shouldn't be in charge of motor vehicles.