Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

I'm a failure

10 replies

SerenaJoy · 31/03/2011 18:04

I failed my driving test. I've been learning for ages, and had a test cancelled at the start of the year due to the snow, so I had a three month wait to get this one. It was a stupid mistake too, I got mixed up about the speed limit (missed the sign and couldn't see another one) and was doing 38mph in a 30 zone. Idiot. Apart from that, the examiner said I did ok, I got 9 minors. Wish I could turn back the clock to first thing this morning. I'm so angry with myself. Sad

I'm 28+5 and the next test date I can get is 2 months away, so I'll be 37 weeks pg (assuming the baby doesn't come early, and I actually make it to the test date!). The main reason I started taking lessons when I did was so I'd be able to drive by the time the baby comes.

Is it completely ridiculous to think I'll be able to take my test at 37 weeks pg?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TysonNobdie86 · 31/03/2011 18:12

You can always book and then try and move the date to a cancelled slot. Bit of a risk. A family friend did her test at about 37 weeks and passed.
My mum failed for something similar, she thought it was a 30 but it was a 20. Very annoying Hmm

Thornykate · 31/03/2011 18:26

Sorry to hear you failed your test :(

You are in good company though as I failed mine 1st time too, I just hate any kind of practical test in anything as I always end up doing something daft because of my nerves.

I would book the test anyway & if you don't get driving before baby arrives don't worry; I couldn't drive until after DS1 & I got in shape v quickly due to all the walking which was lovely because it was summer. Think DS loved the walking too as much as new babies can love anything.

citymonkey · 31/03/2011 18:28

Don't feel bad! If baby hasn't made an appearance then I guess if you are comfortable there is no reason not to take at 37 weeks. And if you don't pass, hey, it's no big deal!

I am also trying to take a test before baby pops out. Am currently 20 weeks and am going to take an intensive course (I can already drive well but need practice on big roundabouts and stuff) so hopefully getting a test date mid May (my instructor somehow seems to be able to get test dates quite soon - I have already had to turn down 15th April and 2nd May due to clashes with major family events etc).

Good luck and don't stress!

Roseflower · 31/03/2011 18:46

Don't worry it took me,ahem quite a few attempts to pass. I often failed over the most pathetic things. But it is so frustrating you think you will never pass.

I couldn't drive until dc was 6 months and it wasn't that bad because with a newborn you spend so much time snuggling up at home.

My driving instructor told me people who are quite academic never pass first time... (and I will choose not to refute him!)

Is there only 1 town you could do the test in? I swapped to another town,although it was a bit of a trek they had much more slots for tests.

mamamona · 31/03/2011 18:51

Hey I passed my driving test 5th time round and I'm sooo much a better driver for it (I like to think so anyway). I thought I'd amuse you with some of my test failures and to really tell you, its not the end of the world at all!

Failure number #1 -
Failed because I called the driving examiner a conceited little bitch, because she pressed on the brakes just as I was going to because there was a van coming the other way. I'm not blind!! I saw it!! My feet were hovering over the brakes!!! Silly cow got there before me and I knew I'd failed because they shouldn't touch your steering wheel or brakes. She also wanted me to finish taking the test, only being 5 minutes into it. I just drove back to the centre breaking every other rule, swore at her, slammed the door and walked off in a huff.

Failure #2 -
Failed because I was supposedly driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Where the hell am I meant to drive if its a teeny little road with cars parked all along the left hand side of the road and the only space I have is over the middle line? Drive on the cars? Into the cars? When examiner told me that, again I swore, slammed the door and walked off in another huff.

Failure #3 -
Was told to do a reverse around the corner, the most POINTLESS exercise in the world which I still haven't used to this date, (and I passed my driving test a good 7 years ago). I had to reverse into a corner, downhill, which is a feat for some experienced drivers too. So there I am inching slowly downhill, not wanting to press too far down on the clutch because the car would roll back on its own and I did it! Only to find out at the end that I failed because of 'unnecessary hesitation' so as you can imagine I swore, slammed the door and walked off in a very big huff.

Failure #4 -

Ran a red light. Enough said. Next!

Success at #5 -
Had a lovely examiner, (which always helps), was friendly and chatty, and couldn't imagine why I hadn't passed as yet. I could obviously drive, and I told him about my past experiences, and it turns out examiners have a really unfair system of quotas they need to fill. They HAVE to fail X amount of people per day! How unfair! Most of my tests were in the afternoon and late evening and this one was in the morning and I passed... with only 2 minors! So instead of slamming the door, swearing and walking off in a huff, I jumped out my seat, gave the examiner a big hug and a wet kiss and told him I loved him. I think I made his day!

Also...my mum passed her driving test at 41 weeks pregnant. Apparently she was huge, I wouldn't know because I was inside her but I've seen photos of her when she passed and I still wonder how she did it. Don't worry!! Even if you pass once the baby is born is not a bad thing! Like I said I've had a driving license for over 7 years, but due to tight financial circumstances, I don't actually have a car at the moment, and I'm 32 weeks pregnant, still using public transport and probably still will when baby is born until I can afford a car. If life gives you lemons, make orange juice and leave the world wondering how the f**k you did that!

Thornykate · 31/03/2011 18:56

mamamona that's the best post I have read in ages, I like your style Grin

Labella77 · 31/03/2011 19:09

I passed when i was 35+ weeks, can't remember exactly, they are really nice. Apparently i had the biggest bitch who never passed anyone, but i passed with 1 minor fault on my first go.

Here's my tip.
Ask the examiners name at the beginning of the test. At some point they will make polite chit chat about the baby, casually mention that your fav name so far is whatever their name is. Worked for me, also pat the belly alot and gurn a bit, branston hix...;)

I didn't have to do a emergency stop either whcih is pretty good and the test was really short.

Good luck, you won't go forgetting to read the road signs now!

PinkElephant73 · 31/03/2011 19:11

Hi I failed my test at about 20 weeks pg, and then passed on the second attempt at about 37 weeks. Second time round, the examiner was a friendly chap but I'm not sure who was more nervous, me or him when he saw the size of me, I think he was quite worried I might go into labour during the test! Passed by the skin of my teeth (got the maximum number of minor faults allowed before a fail,) but all was well. I'd go for it, you will not want it hanging over you after you have had the baby. All the best drivers pass on their second attempt!

mamamona · 31/03/2011 19:37

pinkelephant73 or they pass on the 5th time! :o

SerenaJoy · 31/03/2011 19:48

Thanks everyone, reading all your tales has cheered me up a bit! Especially you mamamona - I like your style, calling the examiner a bitch and stomping off in the huff Grin

My examiner was really nice, and I think he was sorry he had to fail me - I hope I get him again the next time!

Roseflower - I looked at a different test centre but their dates weren't much better unfortunately. They must all be short staffed or something. I'll keep checking, and will hopefully get a cancellation before I'm waddling too much, as I would really like to get it out the way before the wee one arrives.

I'm off for a melting middle chocolate pudding, I'm sure that will cheer me up even more!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread