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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How many times to pass driving test?

110 replies

Ionasmum19 · 14/01/2025 16:17

Ive failed my driving test for the second time today and I'm so disappointed in myself! Got me curious, how many times did it take others to pass? I feel like giving up now!!

OP posts:
SoulMole · 14/01/2025 16:19
  1. I just did it over and over. Nerves were getting to me. But i knew if I stopped, I'd eventually want to start again and I'd have to start from scratch. I know I'm in a minority but loads of people pass 3rd time. Keep at it!!
mumofoneAlonebutokay · 14/01/2025 16:19

2nd time but was tough

I cried when I failed the first time, the test guy was mortified 😬😬

RoastDinnerSmellsNice · 14/01/2025 16:20

So sorry to hear that OP, and I'm probably going to make you feel even worse now, as I passed both car, and passenger service vehicle (bus) test, first time. What did you fail on?

PersephonesPomegranate · 14/01/2025 16:21

7th time lucky for me. I went to the GP the week before my last test and got some beta blockers as it was the nerves that were crippling me. Worked a treat

Bizarred · 14/01/2025 16:21

5th I think. Just had to keep going.

Brooomhilda · 14/01/2025 16:23

Twice but I failed within two minutes of starting the first fail (accidentally went through red light because of nerves). Which pissed me off because it was a stupid mistake. I nearly rage quit and told the examiner I wanted to go back but decided to treat the rest of the test as a practise test for the next test...

Brooomhilda · 14/01/2025 16:24

DH passed first time with no minors because he's a poo-poo head.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 14/01/2025 16:25

I passed on my fifth attempt. I could drive perfectly well outside the test but as soon as I got in the car with an examiner I went to pieces, particularly reversing around a corner. I did better than my mother who managed to get all four wheels on the pavement when she took her test for the first time. Before my fifth test my instructor was sitting in the car with me and we both watched as two cyclists came up the street from opposite ends and somehow managed to collide right in front of us. 'Well you're better than them at any rate' said my instructor and I started laughing and somehow that broke my tension and I passed that test.

I passed my test first time a week after moving to California even though I was driving on the other side of the road and wasn't used to the rental car. I guess once you can pass a driving test, you can pass a driving test.

RedRiverShore5 · 14/01/2025 16:25

I passed 1st time at 30, DH passed 4th time at 26, DS passed 3rd time at 18. I would say I'm the least confident driver and worst at parking out of the 3 of us.

RedRiverShore5 · 14/01/2025 16:26

Hopefully you will pass next time like my DS did

Ionasmum19 · 14/01/2025 16:27

It was a silly mistake, it was a set of double lights and I got through the first one at green but the next changed to red so I stopped, turned out they were connected lights that both changed at the same time and I shouldn't have stopped at the second light!! So annoyed!

OP posts:
Tangled123 · 14/01/2025 16:27

3rd time lucky. I wasn’t ready for my first test but I was moving back home after university so had to give it a shot before changing instructors. It did wonders for my confidence though, as I very nearly passed. I made a couple of stupid mistakes second time, but viewing my third test as one step closer to passing helped take some of the pressure off and meant I wasn’t as nervous.

Bluevelvetsofa · 14/01/2025 16:29

Fourth time. Over a period of several years too. One test, in my little Mini, the examiner had someone examining him. A very large bloke in the back of a small car, didn’t help the nerves. I complained and got a free test.

I couldn’t reverse round a corner, despite every trick known to man to help. By some fluke, I did it perfectly on the last test. Keep going!

Rachie1973 · 14/01/2025 16:30

Eek. I have my first test booked for end of April at the age of 52. I’m not sure what I was thinking really!

Cotonsugar · 14/01/2025 16:32

My mother passed on her fifth attempt aged 44. She was a nervous driver for a few years but gradually improved😊 two of my daughters passed on their second tests and one on her first attempt. I believe it’s a bit of luck, the examiner you have on the day and conquering nerves. Good luck 😉

OneTC · 14/01/2025 16:33

Got it third go.

Never met a good driver who passed first go

Haribo16 · 14/01/2025 16:33

Passed on my 6th attempt. First time I would have passed if I'd spoken up as the examiner put his dual control brake on whilst I was creeping forward at a junction (cars parked on pavement either side so couldn't see) he thought I was going to just go, should have said something. Went to pieces after that and failed each and every time. My instructor said he'd happily let me drive him anywhere just couldn't do it under test conditions. The time I did pass I had my partner in the back of the car which made me feel calmer. He wasn't allowed to speak to me but just having him there worked.

TakeMyBreadAway · 14/01/2025 16:33

I passed first time with 1 minor.

XenoBitch · 14/01/2025 16:34

Took me two times. I failed the first time due to rolling back a bit on a hill.

DazedAndConfused321 · 14/01/2025 16:34

OneTC · 14/01/2025 16:33

Got it third go.

Never met a good driver who passed first go

Wow that is strange!

DemonicCaveMaggot · 14/01/2025 16:34

Rachie1973 · 14/01/2025 16:30

Eek. I have my first test booked for end of April at the age of 52. I’m not sure what I was thinking really!

Taking your first test at 52 is no reason for you to fail. If anything you should be calmer and less intimidated by an examiner than younger people.

Best wishes for your test.

RedRiverShore5 · 14/01/2025 16:35

OneTC · 14/01/2025 16:33

Got it third go.

Never met a good driver who passed first go

Oi, I'm very careful, I just can't park very well, my actual driving is alright though I hope

Moglet4 · 14/01/2025 16:37

Ionasmum19 · 14/01/2025 16:17

Ive failed my driving test for the second time today and I'm so disappointed in myself! Got me curious, how many times did it take others to pass? I feel like giving up now!!

2nd time for me but I remember thinking, ‘I can’t afford these lessons and I will not get the bus with my pupils anymore. I WILL pass this time’ I’m very stubborn.

Mischance · 14/01/2025 16:39

Passed first time. When I rang my OH to tell him he started commiserating before I was able to get the words out - he assumed I would fail! Cheeky bugger - just because he failed first time!!

XenoBitch · 14/01/2025 16:40

Mischance · 14/01/2025 16:39

Passed first time. When I rang my OH to tell him he started commiserating before I was able to get the words out - he assumed I would fail! Cheeky bugger - just because he failed first time!!

Great advice I had was to tell no one you were taking your test. Not a single person.