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Original poster

Anyone struggling with driving?

23 replies

Katexoxo · 16/08/2018 17:06

Hi all,

So I had my first driving test today and failed miserably with 3 majors and 6 minors, all mistakes I have never made in my lessons but my nerves were terrible. Confidence is completely knocked and not sure where to go from here. Has anyone else experienced these struggles and did you manage to do it in the end? I feel so pressured as life would be so much easier with a car and I have to heavily rely on my partner to drive everywhere but feel like I’ll never get there xxx

OP posts:
Branleuse · 16/08/2018 17:10

Not many pass first time. We are the 2nd hardest country to pass driving test in in the world. I think i passed 6th time. Keep going. Youll get it x

FoofFighter · 16/08/2018 17:11

Ahh I could have been writing this 4 months ago (and indeed did in fact!).

I am not a natural driver, came to it (v!) late and felt like I'd never pass, failed my first test purely through nerves (stalled so much they couldn't ignore it) - I'd not been at all nervous in the run up but as soon as I got in the test car... Confused
but I did pass the second time, I think I was already resigned to failing that (yes that old cliche) I was nervous beforehand - but also I didn't care and I was more relaxed.

What were your faults?

FoofFighter · 16/08/2018 17:12

*second test was 4 weeks later

FoofFighter · 16/08/2018 17:12

You can get beta blockers for nerves from GP, others swear by bach rescue remedy and bananas!

IAmInsignificunt · 16/08/2018 17:13

It’s your first test, view it as a practice run. I made mistakes on the test I passed like - stopping the car in rolling traffic using the handbrake - which I have never done before or since.

My tip is to tell the instructor you are nervous and to talk through everything you are doing. The examiner I passed with was thankfully chatty but my friends all said they passed because they just kept talking which calmed them down after a few minutes.

Good luck!

Original poster
Katexoxo · 16/08/2018 17:23

Thanks everyone, my faults were:

1: parallel parking, I got into the right position next to the car but then a van came right up behind me meaning I couldn’t start reversing, so moved out the way and tried to start again but was in completely the wrong positon and it all went downhill from there

2: merging onto a dual carriageway, it was abnormally busy for the time of day and couldn’t find a gap, ended up merging in front of a car who had to brake to let me in

3: doing the show me question, whilst I was faffing with the controls I started veering into the middle of the road so the examiner had to pull me back

Very humiliating, even more so because the last few lessons I had my instructor said I drove perfectly so it wasn’t nice seeing the disappointment in his face when I got back! The examiner also kept sighing when I did things wrong which just made me want to cry! Head was in a complete tizz from nerves so I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to drive correctly in those pressured conditions! X

OP posts:
cantfindamoniker · 16/08/2018 17:24

It's disappointing for sure. It took me a while (3 tests). I became convinced there must be a quota of failures to passes! Keep trying. I know most people say this but I'm a good driver. I've been told this by a few passengers (who drive). I still drive as I was taught and this makes a difference. You'll be practicing with experienced people for longer and that will probably make it all stick better. I've been a passenger with people who passed first time at 18. Oh my life!! I've experienced friends like this slamming on brakes at junctions and another keeping only a few feet gap on motorways. Really alarming. You'll get there, and may well be a better driver for it. Good luck.

FiddlesticksRiddlesticks · 16/08/2018 17:42

I am middle aged and have failed 3 times (third time was this week). I get 4 or 5 minors, make one biggie, think ‘Shit, I’ve failed my test’, aNd make another biggie. I have milk and banana before along with 2 paracetamol, but I just freeze. The major errors are nots ones I make in lessons (going too slow in too high a gear so stall).

But I rebook the test, get a lesson in and will just go for it. I too am reliant on DH for transport. We also have 2 kids (toddler and 6 years) and life would be so much simpler if I can drive. We will get there. It might be a matter of confidence, which I lack, or nerves, but the trick is just to rebook and get your test in ASAP. Get a lesson before then to go over your majors, maybe go round the test route (will likely be a different route next test but can’t hurt). I don’t think there is any way to magic a pass - confidence and nerves play a huge part. I would pass my test every lesson I’ve taken these past few months. I just can’t pass when it counts.

Take heart that your not alone, but now you know how the test goes, I’m sure you will do much better next timeNext time will be no majors for both of us

Original poster
Katexoxo · 16/08/2018 17:49

Let’s hope so! It is nice to know I’m not alone, these tests are just a nightmare! We are currently ttc but in the area we live me not driving would make things extremely difficult when my partner isn’t here and at work etc. good luck in your next test and I’ll try and get a new one booked in soon X

OP posts:
askawayy · 16/08/2018 17:49

I ended up taking beta blockers that were prescribed by the doctor for my test and passed 7th time Grin

FiddlesticksRiddlesticks · 16/08/2018 18:08

Good luck with yours too. We might be putting too much pressure on ourselves because passing is so important, but we will both pass xx

FoofFighter · 16/08/2018 20:38

I struggled with the show me questions because my instructor didn't do it as a normal thing each lesson, it was crammed into the last week. I'd ask your instructor to test you on that repeatedly asking you to show me during your lessons.

Also I hadn't ever driven in the rain and wasn't totally automatic with the controls for wipers on my first test.

You WILL pass, no fear of that.

DownstairsMixUp · 16/08/2018 20:42

Ah it's the worst passing but don't be so hard on yourself. I had a few attempts and eventually passed chewing gum and taking some rescue remedy. You'll get there and it will be so worth it Smile

DownstairsMixUp · 16/08/2018 20:42

Not passing*

MakeMineATwin2 · 16/08/2018 20:48

Book another one as soon as you can. Learn from these mistakes and you will be fine!

Original poster
Katexoxo · 17/08/2018 13:23

Thanks for having faith everyone! Feeling a bit better about it today although now I just feel very embarrassed knowing they’re such silly mistakes and I do actually know what to do but my brain apparently decided not to function.... Next tests available aren’t for weeks but going to book one in! X

OP posts:
FoofFighter · 17/08/2018 17:50

There are apps you can get to look for a cancellation

donajimena · 17/08/2018 17:54

As has been suggested beta blockers. Forget the bach rescue. They are miracle workers.

Original poster
Katexoxo · 23/10/2018 15:22

Apologies for re-activating this thread everyone but just wanted to say thank you so much to you all for your encouragement, had my second attempt today and passed! Was ready to give up completely when I wrote this so thanks for believing! X

OP posts:
redrhubarb · 23/10/2018 20:50

Congratulations  how many minors did you get?

Original poster
Katexoxo · 23/10/2018 21:02

3! Not too bad at all, everyone can do it!

OP posts:
FoofFighter · 25/10/2018 08:50

Well done!!

mycatplotsdeath · 25/10/2018 09:37

Congratulations 🍾🚗

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