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 so embarrassed and such a let down that I can't go ahead with booking test 7.

Any help and support on how to bring up my confidence would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry you've failed , you will get there ! Ive failed twice now, I also had following too closely in traffic but this was marked as a minor, was it because you were on a motorway?

What were you doing on a motorway?
Not allowed till you passed your test.

So sorry I meant to write dual carriage way. My head is all over the place.

Please rebook it now - my mum passed on her tenth.
I had 40 lessons before I even went for it.
You can do it and it will give you freedom.
Have you thought about driving an automatic instead?

I'm sorry you failed, it can be so disheartening. Rebook though, and you will get it. My DH passed on his 10th test, and he now works in a job where he spends a majority of his day driving, and is the person I feel the most safe with in a car (and that's saying something as I have major car anxiety with other people driving me).

You must not give up, my friend passed on her 10th attempt, she’s never looked back, she spent hundreds of pounds to accomplish this but she got what she wanted eventually and you will do too.Keep going, you will pass.

OP I keep this quiet in real life but I did my test 7 times. I consider myself a good, safe driver but got into such a state before each test and was physically sick. I just accepted that I may never pass but said I would keep trying. As a result I was much more calm the last time and passed. I count it as my biggest achievement. It sounds like you are almost there tbh. Anyone could make that mistake. Focus on how close you were for next time.

I passed on my 4th attempt. The last time, I thought, f*ck it. And I passed!

Please don't give up!

Don't give up! You can do it! I had over 100 lessons and passed finally, my sister passed on the 7th test. You can do it!

The best drivers pass in their 9th attempt so you’re almost there 😉

Book it! I failed my first after no minors when I pulled up at the test centre at the end and my wheel touched the kerb and the bastard failed me (I'm still bitter ). It threw me completely, nerves kicked in and it took me until my 6th go to pass.

Please don't give up. Don't tell anyone when you've booked it for and it might take some of the pressure off . Good luck!

Thank you all ❤

Book it! No-one knows how many times it takes to pass the test. Once you have the licence, you have the licence!

My siblings all passed first time. All of them wrote off a car in the first year of driving. Learning to drive was one of the hardest things I’ve done - I’m usually a quick learner. But I think I’m a better driver for it - certainly more cautious and careful.

Do it!

Thank you for your lovely encouraging messages

I passed on the third go. Two days before my second theory test expired.

Dm passed on !?! go. We didn't keep count because it was just making her nervous. She then surprised us a random Saturday lunchtime with her driving license certificate.

She said keeping it a secret helped her. She spent a lot of time and money on it. She don't regret it at all. She is very happy she persevered.

Don't give up, op!

Please don't give up. You're nearly there.
Think about the freedom of all the journeys you'll be able to make.

You can and will do it.

Good luck xx

Don't wait. Book back to back lessons and the test. If possible test next week and book lessons btw now and then. Don't tell anyone and don't leave it too long.

How are you feeling in yourself @bellaella18 ? Have you managed to book another one?

If it helps, don’t tell anyone in RL. Just let us know and we will cheer you on. 🤗

I passed on my 8th. Don't give up!

Definitely keep going. My sister failed more times than you, each time something different and small, but alas, a fail.

She eventually passed and I swear to you, she is an excellent driver! I am sure you are becoming a better driver each time.

Never give up on anything that is important to you.

Don’t give up!

I took a break after failing my 5th time and a nasty examiner. Thought I’d take a short break. Unfortunately I got so nervous, that break lasted 15 years (!!) and seriously curtailed my freedom.

But I started again and eventually passed on my 7th attempt. Has opened up a world of possibilities! Keep going!

Not everyone passes the first or second time. My best mate at school passed on her sixth attempt in 1991. She’s driven regularly since and has never had an accident. I’ve always felt safe in the car with her., even as a teen.

My 26yo stepdaughter also took six attempts, she passed just before the first lockdown and drives daily and confidently now, in her newish role as a housing officer.

I hope you’ve booked it OP. Please do, if not.

Took me five goes and I remember the feeling of despair and resignation (25 years later!). Agree with pp that it is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Hang on in there, keep plugging away. You’ll make it!

I think the best way to get through it is just to keep on practicing. And practice in your head when you are a passenger. It’s hard, I know, but you need to be as comfortable as possible behind the wheel and practice is really the only way there. Good luck!

I failed lots of times, and it meant that when I did pass, I was a reasonably good driver as I'd had more practice. Keep going, and good luck.

I passed 4th time! I remember feeling like I would never pass. I tried every single trick, banana’s, rescue remedy, mars bar. What helped me was speaking through everything I was doing out loud so I’d say ‘check mirrors, down a gear, make sure you’re a car length away, check mirrors and slow down etc’. Don’t give up, you WILL get there in the end.

Ps. I love your name! ;)