Why can't I pass my driving test?

[dontcallmehon]

Failed my third driving test today. Am putting a brave face on it, but I feel a bit fed up, particularly when dh seems to think it is a big joke (he passed his third test). I am starting to lose faith and think that I may never do it. It is also costing a fortune!

First test went really well with only a few minors, up until the point near the end of the test when I pulled in, went to straighten up and hit the kerb :(

Second test, got quite a lot of faults really. 12 minor (all for different things) and 2 serious - 1 for making a car slow down when I changed lanes and for not seeing a car which had to wait when I was doing a three point turn.

Third test, had hynotherapy to help with my nerves on the day. Don't know if helped really, I was still horribly nervous. Got 8 faults in total, two serious - again for changing lanes and one for being in the wrong lane. I had changed to a different test centre to get an earlier test date and I really didn't know the routes very well. No excuse, I know - I should have been better guided by the road markings.

Just feel so rubbish - got test number 4 booked at the test centre I'm most familiar with, but I'm really starting to wonder if I'll ever do it. My instructor thinks I'm a good driver and I don't seem to make those mistakes on my lessons, but the thought of the test makes me feel sick. Ironically, I think it's actually getting harder the more attempts I take, as there is more internal pressure to pass - as I don't want to have yet another failure!

Please give me hope that it will happen one day :( I didn't tell anyone apart from dh about this test, which is good in one way, but I neeed sympathy :(

[dontcallmehon]

Test number 4 is now booked...

[newfashionedmum]

...try some breathing exercises - give you something to focus on and will steady your nerves and make your brain work better. also do some 'real' practise drives if you can, with a friend..I drove from stafford to manchester (not on the motorway!) on a weekend trip and it MASSIVELY boosted my confidence, I passed after that (3rd time) I also had a chatty examiner, they're not supposed to but it really settled my nerves. I wonder if you're allowed to have music on, maybe that would help? anything to keep your mind occupied enough without being totally distracting. good luck!

[musicposy]

I took it 3 times - teacher too, but after the first two I had a break or I think it would have been a whole lot more. DH took 4 times and probably shouldn't have passed at all. My brother took so many we lost count - at least 7.

None of us are stupid people and I was used to flying through everything before my driving test, so it was a bit of a shock! I couldn't understand why I couldn't do it easily when so many people I knew passed first time.

All of us got there in the end, though. As long as you keep persevering, you will too! I found it helpful not to tell anyone (and I mean anyone) about the test. That way I was more relaxed because I wouldn't have to own up to failure to anyone.

[EnolaAlone]

dontcallmehon - it could me be writing this thread! I've just failed my third test last week. I also can't seem to pass. I've been learning to drive for just over a year. Got 50 out of 50 on my theory last summer! Had two driving instructors and two types of car. All my driving lessons go really well, I'm really confident.

Get to the test and I also do something wrong! First test I didn't stop at a give way line and a car was coming, so the examiner had to brake for me. Second test I think I should have passed, the examiner gave me four minors for observation on moving off, which I really thought I was doing fine, so that made me angry and jaded with the whole system. Last week, third time, I took five attempts to do a parallel park! Apart from that I only got two minors! I also had a test cancelled five minutes before, when I was already at the test centre, due to bad weather. Every time, except the second, I've had the same examiner. I had a bit of a meltdown at him last week and said I was going to give up and he told me definitely not to! Think he must really want to pass me one day.

I've also booked my fourth test, even though the thought of it is unbearable. I've never failed anything in my life before this and I don't know how to deal with it. I can't practise in DH's car as he only passed 2 years ago. Both sets of our parents have big automatics, so I don't think it would be useful. I also feel like quitting, but I've spent a fortune on it, probably nearly £2k, and lots of hours of lessons and some of my annual leave and flexi time from work. It would feel like a waste if I give up, but then it would also be a waste if I'm still plodding along at test number 15 this time next year.

I feel your pain!!!

[TeaandHobnobs]

Good luck OP!

I have recently passed on 4th test, and I really didn't think I would - like you, my driving is generally good, but I could be easily thrown by things. I really wasn't (and still am not I guess!) good at lanes on the roundabout and changing lanes in good time - I was just lucky on the day this time that what I was asked to do didn't expose my weaknesses! So a lot of it can be a product of what happens out there on the test.

I liked manoeuvres because there is a method to it, that gave me confidence I suppose.

Try and think positive, be confident, tell yourself "I am a good driver and I deserve to pass" (you can bet your driving is a million times better than a lot of people out there on the road - especially some of the idiots in London!!!). Best advice my instructor gave me was not to rush, just take things calmly.

Have my fingers crossed for you

[dontcallmehon]

Hope you pass soon Enola and thanks for the reassurance all. Most people seem to pass first or second time, so I feel like I'm on my own. Clearly I'm not. I just need to keep trying and not to let it get me down.

[Mich19801]

Hi, Im preparing for my practical test... Im finding the manuovers ok but this new show me tell section is killing me... I get so mixed up :-( can anyone help... I dont have much time with the little one hanging off my leg... Any mobile apps going around??

[tyoo]

I'm struggle to pass my driving test, i have ready done 4th times, still cannt get it, i know many people take a few times to pass, i just wonder how many time i need to go to pass, i fed up with that, i do very well at the lesson,just cannt pass, it really cost me so much, when will be the end? i can not do the driving test for rest of my life, when my luky day will come?

[Mazerano79]

I feel so much better after reading these posts, this one especially! I've just failed test number 7 today and like you have tried everything except for hypnotherapy so I think this could be one the cards :) I have my own car and drive fine in it and on lessons but just fall to pieces in the test. My nerves have even made me physically sick :( I thought I was alone here as everyone I know seems to be able to do it. I'm determined not to give up but getting really disheartened by my continued fails. Definitely going to try hypnotherapy

[AndWhenYouGetThere]

Test Number 4 for me is booked this afternoon...

[AndWhenYouGetThere]

4th time lucky, today was a success! Even though I stalled, and had to adjust my seat mid-way.

[lulu6867]

Can I just ask if any of the posters who have taken many tests before passing have any issues with dyslexia, my daughter is severely dyslexic and has failed 5 tests and we have been told that she needs to have a special needs driving tests as it has something to do with left and right and too many instructions all at once. Has anyone else herd this?

[monkeymouse1]

I just failed my fourth test :( First on the Isle of Wight where I am living now but fourth in total. Two majors and four minors - which is exactly what I got on my third which I did 3.5 yrs ago. Decided to try again when I got preg - am now 7 months and retaking in a few weeks. It's soul destroying!! I feel so stupid to have to do it a fifth time. Gah!

[Rockdown]

I passed my driving test at the 9th of asking on the 6th June 2013. Since November 2012 I have had 5 tests! The moral of the story is, don't give up eventually you will PASS. If I can do it, so can you.

[MissMogwi]

I've failed mine three times now. With one serious fault and just a few minors every time. On my lessons I am a good confident driver, but I go to pieces on the test. My left leg shakes, I sweat and my heart pounds away before I've even started the car.

My nerves on the test are shocking, I've tried Kalms, Rescue Remedy, the lot. I'm fed up with it now, it's frustrating because I know I can drive but my nerves are ruining it for me!

I am very independent, and I do everything I set out to do. But this one thing is evading me and I'm at a loss as to what to do next.

Considering a days crash course with a test. I have a week between lessons now and no other access to a car so possibly intense driving then the test might help. I just don't know!

[DrCoconut]

I'm glad I'm not alone. I have the dubious honour of being the only person in my family to fail a driving test. Grandparents and mum passed first time (dad never had a car or licence) and people generally found it hard to understand why "someone like you" would fail. I suppose I did well in exams etc at school and they just aren't used to me not succeeding and nor am I. I had to give up for emotional and financial reasons as it was draining me. One day I would love to do it as it is holding me back a bit job wise now. Test 4 here I come one day

[WhyMeWhyNot]

Don't tell a single person when your test is, then if it goes pear-shaped you have no one to confess a failure too. Takes all the pressure off.

I used a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy in the ladies while I was waiting to be called, that works for me.

Good luck

[daisydee43]

Hi I know how you feel. My test is booked in 3 weeks and have done few mock tests and every time I fail on serious for lane discipline. My lesson tonight I actually said I'm going home now but my driving instructor calmed me down and I parked a while from my house and walked back. Feel like shit too. I desperately need to drive for dd1 as we are not in a main town.

Here's how I see it- I was in a bad mood to start as had argument with dh, I speed everywhere so don't give myself enough time to change lanes, I'm so focused on the road that I can't seem to focus on lanes as well especially since the lanes are on those monster roundabouts

Solution - I'm going to take a map of my area and draw out what lane I should be in when at big roundabouts and dual carriageway junctions - feel I need to go in there with a bit of theory behind me, don't give up!!!

[Charlotte1979ask]

I failed mine today, was doing so well then right at the end he asked me pull up, me like a divvy only went and pulled up on zig zags, I had gone all thru the test with 2 minor faults then on the way back the test center I go and pull up on zig zag flipping lines, I was so angry with myself, I thought that's it I am NOT doing it again, but seems my instructer has other ideas, he just texed me telling me he's re booked my test for 8th August pay him when i get paid, argh.. now I have no choice but to take it, I hate the feeling it gives you knowing I was so close to passing then I messed up, I think I wud rather fail with loads of faults at least that way I wudnt feel so bad, I have cried since I finished at dinner time, and to top it all my daughter who's 8 broke her heart when I told her, I felt even more bad then, so now I no how u all feel, I guess we all go through it when it comes to driving, So i shud buck up and stay strong.. Good luck to you all taking and re-taking you tests, We will get there eventually..... I HOPE LOL...

[Mattsmum95]

I've just failed my driving test for the third time I feel more I've let my instructor down she's lovely she said she can't teach me no more as I can drive and she is encouraging me to do it again but as I waited in between instructors I've had to book my theory again as its ran out I'm fuming because I had 2 minors one when the examiner asked me to turn right and I went left and the 2nd leaving my handbrake on and at the very end on the way back I was going into the righthand lane and there were 2 sets of lights on red and for some stupid reason I went to go to the 2nd set and he had to put his brake on the first set was a crossing I am so disappointed in myself especially when my instructor seen the examiner later and he said it was a near perfect test and he was gutted for me ... You should have passed me then :))

[Materfacit]

So glad I found this thread, I failed my second test yesterday and took it hard. I have never failed anything before, always been a success, driving perfectly bloody competently in every lesson but nerves getting the better of me on the test. I have changed the location of my third test to a quieter and less complicated town so I will hopefully improve my chances of passing. At my first test centre they don't let you into the car park until five minutes before your test, so you sit in a line outside, staring at the centre, and then you have three minutes to reverse park en masse with the others waiting. At this second centre you park on the road at your leisure and can have a walk around etc.

Three weeks until test three, i really have to pass soon as the pressure is on, I need the car from October which isn't helping the nerves at all.

[daisydee43]

Failed my test today for first time returning to the test centre don't feel to bad as its my first time but that sucks really - how's everyone else going?

[Materfacit]

I've been checking the DSA site everyday and got a new test date for next Tuesday, two weeks early. It's at the first centre again but couldn't turn down the opportunity.

[chateauferret]

Are you taking the test in a manual car and if so do you need to? I couldn't pass for toffee in a manual and needed a licence, as soon as I took it in an automatic car after a few conversion lessons it was like night and day. Still failed once more but that was just because a Citylink 'bus cut me up on the A8. But the examiner seemed to imply that they'd pass me the next time if I didn't do anything stupid, it was actually a better drive than when I did pass.

[pickledthing]

I passed on my 5th attempt last year!!! I too was extremely nervous, on the 5th test ,mydriving instructor also wouldn't go out with me on test,I made my partner go with me and sit in back,for two weeks before test I started taking Bach flower rescue remedy drop, on the day I had my 8 drops before I went, and 8 drops at test centre, plus I had the Bach flower rescue remedy gum sweets in my lap, and when we stop briefly would put one in mouth to suck!!! Also had a 9.00am test,so I didn't have to think about test to much in morn!!!!!! As found the long waits before hand really made me nervous!