Practical driving test

[malditako]

so i just failed my first practical driving test this morning.. 7 minor ( overspeeding, moving off and gears) and 2 major due to hitting the kerb while doing the parallel parking and one (when just need one turn back to the test center) almost beat the red light on a pedestrian traffic light (didn't see this one pedestrian standing) so had to do emergency stop right there and then. So frustrated as i could have been passed it with only 7 minors. GRRRR!!! bloody cracking nerves. Legs are shaking all along from the start of the test but then all in all am proud of myself as i did it well more than i expected especially on a dual carriage and 4 lanes roundabouts better luck next time.

[Arthur Little]

Commisserations, Grace ... so near ... yet so far, eh! Tbh ... with so much traffic on British (indeed ANY) roads anyWHERE nowadays, it's a wonder ANYbody manages to pass a driving test at all - let alone at a 1st attempt! Personally, I should imagine it must surely rank high on the list of life's most nerve-wracking experiences.

But don't allow this one setback to deter you! ... I'm a firm believer that those who sit their practical test twice - or maybe even more times - tend to make better drivers in the long term; after all - as in most things - 'practice [usually] DOES make perfect' (or as near as dammit!) ... thus banishing doubt and leading, in turn, to renewed self-confidence.

So ... keep reminding yourself of the magic words, "I CAN ... and I WILL!" (DO this, that ... or the other). And be sure, in the end, you'll find you're able to do so.

[sars_notd_virus]

yes, you'll get there in the end Grace

[Terpe]

so i just failed my first practical driving test this morning.. 7 minor ( overspeeding, moving off and gears) and 2 major due to hitting the kerb while doing the parallel parking and one (when just need one turn back to the test center) almost beat the red light on a pedestrian traffic light (didn't see this one pedestrian standing) so had to do emergency stop right there and then. So frustrated as i could have been passed it with only 7 minors. GRRRR!!! bloody cracking nerves. Legs are shaking all along from the start of the test but then all in all am proud of myself as i did it well more than i expected especially on a dual carriage and 4 lanes roundabouts better luck next time.

Plenty of folks will understand your feelings.
Well done for maintaining your positivity, it's all good experience.
The driving test is darn tough these days and more than 50% do not pass first time around. Nerves can be the major contributing factor. If you're nervous and stressed you tend to make more mistakes.
Better luck for next time.
Try to focus on being calm and confident in your driving ability.
Don't feel intimidated by the examiner, they will not expect you to be be perfect.

Don't give up, being able to drive is just a huge advantage

[raynaputi]

Keith told me if I don't pass my driving test, he will me!!! Oh well, guess I'd be taking all the time to save more years of my life...hahahaha

Don't worry Grace, there's always a next time..and I'm sure you'd pass that next one

[Nick30]

Sorry to hear your failure Grace :( but as we all say, please don't give up and carry on. I passed my driving test five years this August on the 9th attempt so if anyone can do it, we're so sure that you will
Did you drive in the Phils before?

[Arthur Little]

Don't give up, being able to drive is just a huge advantage

... pity I hadn't stuck at it when my dad tried to teach me long ago. Ah, well ... ... too late [for ME] now!

[malditako]

Commisserations, Grace ... so near ... yet so far, eh!

Reason why i am a bit frustrated i almost done it as my minors wasn't too bad just little error then this pedestrian traffic came on DANG!!!...lesson learnt thanks for the encouraging words

[malditako]

Plenty of folks will understand your feelings.
Well done for maintaining your positivity, it's all good experience.
The driving test is darn tough these days and more than 50% do not pass first time around. Nerves can be the major contributing factor. If you're nervous and stressed you tend to make more mistakes.
Better luck for next time.
Try to focus on being calm and confident in your driving ability.
Don't feel intimidated by the examiner, they will not expect you to be be perfect.

Don't give up, being able to drive is just a huge advantage

thank you for the kind words...mind you i took 2 kalms tablet 2 hours before my test my mind says i am calm but then my legs says otherwise have to smack hundred time to stop shaking

[malditako]

@rayna...better get a bullet poof vest then hahaha...you'll never know u might pass first time

@nick congrats at least u made it.

I told myself am not giving up to this one hehehe i just hope my husbands wallet wouldn't give up as well hahaha. Anyway husband is looking for another instructor so hopefully to continue it next week which is good. it means he still got budget for it

[grahamw48]

Please publish the route you're taking next time.

[Arthur Little]

@nick congrats at least u made it.

... Nick is to be commended for his sheer tenacity and determination. And it paid off! Congratulations & well done, Nick!

[malditako]

Please publish the route you're taking next time.

i remember the route actually hehehe...anyone from nottingham who book test in chalfont i can help you with the test route

[Arthur Little]

I told myself am not giving up to this one hehehe

... QUITE RIGHT!

's the spirit, Grace; if I were 24 again - as I was at the time I took a short course of Approved Instruction (plus the few extra lessons given to me by my dad to "brush up") - I'd maybe ... just maybe ... stick it out for the duration. But back then, I was way too impatient to reach 'test standard' (not to mention, hard-up financially - since I'd just newly got married to my first [late] wife). Moreover, my driving instructor - who happened to be the great-aunt of a friend of mine - wasn't exactly the type to motivate ('scuse pun!) my confidence ... even finally managing to convince me I lacked the ability to ever be a driver ... so that I finished up without going forward for a test at all!

i just hope my husbands wallet wouldn't give up as well hahaha. Anyway husband is looking for another instruction so hopefully to continue it next week which is good. it means he still got budget for it

All the best to you!

[malditako]

... QUITE RIGHT!

's the spirit, Grace; if I were 24 again - as I was at the time I took a short course of Approved Instruction (plus the few extra lessons given to me by my dad to "brush up") - I'd maybe ... just maybe ... stick it out for the duration. But back then, I was way too impatient to reach 'test standard' (not to mention, hard-up financially - since I'd just newly got married to my first [late] wife). Moreover, my driving instructor - who happened to be the great-aunt of a friend of mine - wasn't exactly the type to motivate ('scuse pun!) my confidence ... even finally managing to convince me I lacked the ability to ever be a driver ... so that I finished up without going forward for a test at all!

Same with me here about driving instructor. Never lift me up instead makes me feel down most of the time. I was the one who tells her what i need to learn and she says that..we did that last week aren't we? even we didn't taking me out of the way route test and no notes at all. anyways my husband convinced that she's not good so change instructor...just wasted huge amount money on her really.

[Arthur Little]

Perhaps it has been a bit unfair of me to "speak ill of the dead" ... and, therefore, I ought to conclude by pointing out that the old biddy (she was in her late 80s when she eventually shed her mortal coil [or Morris Minor] within the past decade) had, for longer than I care to remember, held the enviable record for churning out the BEST pass rate in Perth.

Anyway several years after I'd "chucked" the notion to drive, my wife decided to learn (1973 or thereabouts) since, by THEN, she'd developed rheumatoid arthritis [NOT Arthuritis, I hasten to add!] and was finding it increasingly difficult to use buses for shopping trips.

And here again, I stress the importance of NEVER GIVING UP, because Iris (who also suffered "the jitters" in Driving Test Conditions) persevered - in the face of severe physical limitations - finally being successful on HER fourth attempt!

[MissAna]

i want to learn how to drive too

[alan/maleiya]

Better luck next time grace , I am taking driving lessons just now should be ready for my test soon , I wish I had kept trying to pass my test when I was 17 but I never got round to doing it until my wife and son arrived here in the UK ,that gave me the kick up the ass i was needing ,i remember the tests i failed many years ago still so clear in my head i was just unlucky on both days i failed . But i won't be giving up this time

[grahamw48]

Good luck Alan...we need more MEN on the road.

I passed my test at 17 in a brand new 1969 MK1 Escort 1100, so it WAS a while back .

First 5 lessons for 5 quid, and then £1.25 an hour. Test fee £3.50.

Being an old codger does have its advantages though, as it also only costs me £180 fully comp. to insure a 160mph TVR.

[alan/maleiya]

I had just bought my self a little red fiesta supersport ,I think that was the type car , as i was confident on passing the 2nd time lol .i sold it 2 days after i failed lol

[gWaPito]

I say use those failed tests as omens...keep death off the roads..the highways are dangerous enough without adding to it.

Stick to the buses you know it makes sense.
Btw I passed my motorcycle and car test 2 weeks into my 17th year
Then passed my HGV 1 at 21....that's what us men do I suppose

[grahamw48]

I think so much depends on the instructor.

[grahamw48]

I say use that failed test as an omen....keep death off the roads..the highways are dangerous enough without adding to it.

Stick to the buses you know it makes sense

Yeah...there's enough people cluttering up my road.

[malditako]

Better luck next time grace , I am taking driving lessons just now should be ready for my test soon , I wish I had kept trying to pass my test when I was 17 but I never got round to doing it until my wife and son arrived here in the UK ,that gave me the kick up the ass i was needing ,i remember the tests i failed many years ago still so clear in my head i was just unlucky on both days i failed . But i won't be giving up this time

wish you best of luck

[imagine]

change your instrutor , a good instructor wont put you to your test unless your ready, check out the instructors pass rate and wish you good luck next ime

[Notavirusalso]

Good luck Alan...we need more MEN on the road.

I passed my test at 17 in a brand new 1969 MK1 Escort 1100, so it WAS a while back .

First 5 lessons for 5 quid, and then £1.25 an hour. Test fee £3.50.

Being an old codger does have its advantages though, as it also only costs me £180 fully comp. to insure a 160mph TVR.

wow new escort for £600..but what was your wage at the time ?

[Notavirusalso]

I failed my first but passed everyone there after goodluck

[grahamw48]

wow new escort for £600..but what was your wage at the time ?

The Escort was the driving school car.

My dad wouldn't let me drive his, and I didn't buy one of my own until I was 21...but had company vehicles from age 18.

My take-home wage was £8 for a 6 day week, of which I spent 25% on train fares getting there (40 mile round trip to work) and around 40% or more to my mother for my 'keep'.

In addition I worked the Sunday cleaning out cages at a local Zoo so that I could afford 2 lessons a week.

I had 15 one hour lessons over about 3 months with no extra practice, then failed my test. - Another 5 lessons then passed it.

I've only ever had 3 points on my licence (from when I was 18) and have had a clean licence since 1973, despite driving for a living ever since then.

I put that down to having had a good driving instructor...plus some luck.

[Terpe]

In 1969 I bought my first car. A maroon Mini. Cost me £120.
On the way driving it home the alternator caught fire.
My very serious aspiration at that time was to complete my Engineering degree, finish my apprenticeship, secure a job as a draughtsman in the Product Design office and earn £1000 per year.
My brother paid for all my driving lessons as he earned 3 times more than me. Luckily I passed first time.
Mind you it was so much easier then then these days. imo
Less nasty traffic too

[grahamw48]

Peter, it would have been a Dynamo on that Mini...call yourself an Engineer.