Losing confidence for my driving test

[mcdonaldschip]

I have my test on Wednesday after putting it off for a while, and my confidence in driving has just shot down today. I had a lesson earlier and I just can't change the gear right before turning into a road or junction. I'm changing gear before I turn in, and mostly appropriate to speed (I'm really trying hard to remember as there's just so much to think about). I think it's a mixture of I'm rushing to switch gear or something else (I have no idea as they don't explain well in a way I understand).

I watched her do it and it's similar to how I do it. Slow down, change gear and then turn when it's safe to do so. Is it as simple as that or is there more to it?

I mostly change to first as the roads I turn into normally have cars parked along the pavements and I don't want to go too fast in case someone speeds round. I want to have time to break and pull into a safe spot to avoid a collision.

It's getting so overwhelming but I don't want to cancel my test even though my instructor hinted at it. I know that if I cancel, I won't rebook and I'll give up. Plus I feel like I'll get better feedback from an examiner where I can improve and what points I need to concentrate on and what I'm decent at.

My instructor doesn't really give me any positive feedback, and none when I've done something correctly so I don't know I've done it right to then remember as I just think i've done it wrong every time.

I know I'm hesitating more as I'm so unsure of myself and what I deem is safe/appropriate and I'm getting so much more flustered.

Is my instructor just really picky or am I actually a bad driver? Am I worrying too much?

I am watching instructors on youtube, but I can't find anything that matches the issue I'm having.

If anyone has any tips or just kind words I'd be very appreciative. I do have diagnosed depression and anxiety

I have my last lesson tomorrow before my test on Wednesday.

I don't know how common it is but I remember when I was learning - back in 1981! - my last lesson before my test was absolutely awful, I made every mistake possible and at the end was in tears. My instructor turned to me with a grin and said "you'll pass - every student I've taught who passed had a terrible final lesson". He was right.

Couple of practical tips, always go down the gears as you slow and (if possible) when you going in a straight line, it's hard to change while you're going round a corner, so when you get to the junction you're already in first.

Good luck!!

I'm not sure you're ready if you're still having problems with this it should be second nature by now No harm in moving the test backwards until you're more confident.

Thank you!

I went out driving with my husband in his car and he managed to help me a lot! I don't know if it's because I feel calmer with him, or he just explains things in a way I understand better.

I really hope it's just an off day today, and that I'll be in a better headspace tomorrow. I am feeling calmer, and a bit more confident in myself after driving for an hour with my husband.

Good luck for today - let us know how it goes!