Learning to drive #2

[LadyB65]

You absolutely get more than one chance and are able to correct it. My manoeuvre was a bay park (forwards into bay) and I misjudged it slightly and reversed out and straightened up. On a previous test that I failed (for other reasons) I got a parallel park, where I realised half way through the manoeuvre that I was wrong and stated to the examiner that I wasn’t happy, so pulled out and started again. I got 1 minor for the bay park and none for the parallel park. All I would advise is if you are starting again, or pulling out a space to start again etc, is state what you’re doing to the examiner and make sure to do all of your observations etc and you should be fine.

 

[Stepharnie]

I PASSED today!!! 2nd time lucky I'm so chuffed it's amazing!

Never give up guys, you can do it! I'm 41, and thought I'd left it too late, nervous and anxious galore it really has been many years of trying on and off. Xx

Congratulations I'm 51 and have my test in march it's never to late to start

 

[Thank(space)you]

Argghh!!

Any tips on how to recover from a bad lesson? Aside from the obvious of just get behind the wheel again

I set off from work today rather than home and got flustered doing that as it's city centre and from there it was just silly mistake after silly mistake with me getting more and more flustered over time to the point where I was basically holding back tears for the latter half of my lesson. I'm normally good at keeping my cool when I make small errors but I just couldn't today. I'm trying hard to see positives in what I did but I just feel so annoyed at myself. I'm not giving up but just wondering how other people recovered from a bad lesson and got their confidence back before the next?

I was meant to go out practicing at the weekend in my boyfriends car but I've come home in such a state I think he's going to suggest we don't practice at the weekend.

Definitely still go out in the weekend if you're able. If you get flustered you're more likely to make a mistake and then you get more flustered and it turns into a viscous cycle. Next time, ask if you can pull over. Have a drink of water take some deep breaths and remind yourself that you are a good driver. You've got this

 

[Lilu22]

I failed… Again.
He made me drive miles out of my test area and it completely threw me off Apparently my fail was turning right on a junction.. I had 2 minors.

I don’t think I want to keep trying.. My friend failed for the third time recently too and it feels impossible to pass. The roads are manic, there’s roadworks everywhere. Blahhhh.

The people that passed years ago had it easier because they didn’t have to drive independently so I don’t feel like they understand.

Whatever you do, please don’t give up. I was in the same boat as you having also failed 3 times and seriously lacking confidence in my driving ability because of it. From start to end it took me around 3 and a half years, with Covid in the middle and all that. Honestly it just felt like I was throwing away money on something I was never going to achieve. I know it’s hard but when you do get that pass, it’ll be that bit sweeter

 

[jawidjanqndn]

I failed my first test on Thursday, and all silly as it sounds I am just so sad I put everything into my driving, went out driving every night and watched mock tests on YouTube, revised all my show me tell me questions ect. I feel completely disheartened and can’t even get the courage to go back in my car if I’m honest. I have booked another test but with the delays it’s not until the end of April 2023 and there’s no way I can see myself staying motivated until then, especially if I fail for a second time.

Does anyone have any advice? My examiner was horrid, i went the wrong way once as he was speaking to me and he sighed loudly and said I need to listen to him and not daydream?! He then went on to make chatter movements with his hand. After this I was completely threw off and he was so intimidating throughout the whole thing. I failed on letting a woman cross the road and apparently my car rolled back slightly when doing my parallel park (which I corrected in about 2 seconds) as I was correcting myself he raised his voice to say my car was rolling back and obviously went down as a serious fault. I give up

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

If it helps I also passed in 40's and only 18 months into it now ... I think you do get a huge sense of responsibility and appreciation on how much there is to learn and in addition to that as a mother I felt concern 'what if I crash!' etc etc ..

I hired from Arnold Clark but as it was a different car I found it quite hard to move between the two types. Eventually I got my own car

 

[SoulDestroyer]

I passed my test, first time, and I'm so happy I don't have to have lessons any more as they were getting tedious - not to mention the drain on the bank balance!
I'm still a l nervy driver though. I hate reversing particularly, always feeling like I'm guessing at what's happening behind me.

 

[Lalla]

I failed my second test He said I steered slightly to the left while doing a park on the right and reverse two car lengths. I have no idea how it was classed as a fail. There was no one around, I did all my observations and I didn’t hit the curb or cross over the side of the road.. we’re talking mm wheel turn.
It seems like the smallest thing is a fail Some of my friends took 6 attempts!

I only had three minor and I thought I had passed so I was gutted

Honestly don't be too disheartened. You will pass next time!

On my first test (well actually 4th, but the previous 3 were 20 odd years earlier... ) I was at a major junction turning right - the examiner failed me as she said I was too far forward when waiting to turn. I think if I was there were millimeters in it. I had only a couple of minors apart from that, I was absolutely gutted I really thought I'd passed.

My next test was a bit of a disaster, I had to reverse round what seemed to be the busiest side turning in Kent and it took me 10 minutes because I kept having to stop due to cars behind or in front of me. Made a mess of it and failed. But I passed the next one! (3rd test in modern times, 6th test overall).

One of my relatives took 7 or 8 goes I think and he drives for a living!

Provided you keep going, and pass in the end, the number of tests it takes to get there doesn't matter. Fuck all those smug twats who say 'oh I passed first time'! Moat of them are terrible drivers - my Ex was one of those, and a friend of mine who clearly passed as a fluke because she couldn't turn right or park and mounted the kerb on her test (she's never driven since which is probably safest for everyone )

 

[Prefrontalmedialcortex]

Go you!!!! How do you feel

Thank you! I feel absolutely elated, I never thought I’d overcome my fears and anxieties after losing my father in a rta. It took me more than 3 years to learn to drive which was a process in itself.

 

[Irishgirl14]

Finally have my test date its in 3 weeks would love to pass 1st time but really don't think I will any tips been a very long process getting here with some very crap driving instructor ,covid and few other things in between

 

[BettyCrockerr]

It's almost a month since I've passed, I gave my friend a lift yesterday as she was running late for work and she said she can tell even since passing how much my driving has improved and my confidence has improved

Yup. It’s true what they say - you only really start learning to drive after you’ve passed your test

 

[LeWylde]

I PASSED been a couple of days now and I still can’t believe it.

Just wanted to say to anyone who is thinking about giving up - don’t do it!! Give yourself time even if it means moving your test date.

 

[gossipgal21]

I've got my first test on Monday morning, feeling ok about at the moment not to nervous yet!!
Got some kalms, banana's and herbal drops to help me sleep anything else anyone can recommend to keep the nerves at bay x

It sounds easier said than done but try and act like it’s not an exam, like you can drive (because you clearly can to be at test standard) and you’re just giving someone a lift. They make it very easy as in they will clearly instruct you throughout so it’s just a case of following instructions and driving safely over everything else. Best of luck with it on the day. What time is your test?

 

[nightfeedz]

I have my test on Friday I still have a lot of areas I’m not fully comfortable with and for some reason have been making some big mistakes the last few days that I don’t usually make!

I had some tricky moments today on a drive with my partner- busy junctions and changing lanes on fast roads. Also coming from residential areas into big fast roads. It’s like I can’t think fast enough!

Thing is I have improved soooo much and my confidence is a lot better than it was. I know I could pass on Friday but I also feel like I could badly fuck up.

I don’t know if I’m overthinking it all or underprepared. But I’ve been learning on and off for years (failed two tests a few yrs ago) and I am sooooo booooooored of living in this limbo.

I want to be able to be calm, level headed and trust myself in the car.

 

[Lollypad]

Just passed my theory test, so on road to learning to drive. Late learner here.

A lot of us are/were you’re in good company

 

[under the ivy]

Best of luck @gossipgal21

This time last year I was having lessons! I couldn’t live without my car now

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

Well done BashmentLady!!

Yes to add from my day also if it helps anyone:
*For an hour before test my instructor and I just drove around, didn't do anything fancy - just drove to relax
*Had a couple of paracetamol and a banana
*My examiner was the same one that failed me the first time but he was nice and we did have some good little chats on the route - Just stay focussed They want to pass you, they want you to be safe that's all

 

[Sallyspal]

Failed again today (second time) I feel I’ll just never get it

 

[noseybirdxo]

If the driving test is during peak hours, and the roads are really busy, I guess it’s not possible to complete the full driving test routes in 40 mins?

Generally speaking, most test centers have a lot of different routes and they’ll more than likely take things like traffic into consideration when deciding what route to take. You might not go far away from the test centre but you’ll do enough to demonstrate you’re a safe driver I personally didn’t mind mine being in some traffic but not everyone will feel the same

 

[LeWylde]

Long time lurker, first time posting on this thread. I failed my driving test this morning for a silly reason and feel so disappointed.
But like someone said, it was great practice though and I feel like I know what to expect next time.
Just curious if anyone has any advice for the second time around?