learning to drive,help,do i give up??

Question

hi there,i've failed my past two tests,and my nerves are getting worse,I know it is my ability because i fail on different things each time,my friends say i shouldnt be as nervous because i know what its like,but thats why im nervous,because i know how scary it is.On my past tests i didn't take kalms wud they help?My instructer keeps telling me i can do it,its just after two tests im not as confidence as i was,and confidence helps alot,please advise me,past learners experiences would be gr8,cheers

all the comments that say im crap at driving and that i aint fit to be on road they can go away cos i am going to pass so ha!

Answer 1

I guess from your name your from Norfolk (just hope yu mean norfolk,UK lol)...try taking your test at kings lynn apparantly thats one of the easiest test centres around!! im taking mine their next tuesday,,SCARED SH*TLESS lmao lol...but yu kno forget thes idiots sayin yu aint cut out! ..but yh kings lynn at about 11am on a weekday should be a breeze or so im told :$....good luck tho hunny! oh and try singing in your head as your on your test as it frees your mind and you feel more relaxed lol...<3 OH AND YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY THIRD TIME LUCKY!!

Answer 2

The best thing to do is to relax. Note that some of these people are there to fail you. Why? who knows, maybe they aren't getting any from their wife. The point is that they will try to look for any mistakes to fail you. ok, now you know why you fail which the the bad news. The good news is that now you know. You know what they are going to do so don't worry about it. Concentrate on the driving part. Don't worry about them just do your thing.

Like I said, relax. The more nervous you are the more likely you are to screw up. This is true for all things. Test, dates, evrything. It is normal to get nervous. Every body does. Just try to relax and accept that that is just the way it is. A good tip is to stretch a bit. This will untense your muscle a bit.

You have already take the test 2 times. Now you know what to expect. But, why leave things to chance. What you need to do is recreate the course. Look for an area that is similar to that of the test. That is, that it include all the things you will be tested on. Then drive the course a bunch of times. Just keep practicing and practicing. Have somebody with you taing notes. Have them not tell you anything until you finish the run. Once you finish they will tell you what you did wrong, so now re run the course again but fix the problem. This will develop muscle memory. Performers, athletes, military personel and a bunch of other people do this all the time. They keep repeating the same moves over and over. That way when they get nervous they don't have to think about what to do. Their bodies take over and just do it. So, make sure that you practice doing the right thing and not the wrong thing other wise you will do the wrong thing unconciously.

My final advice is to see if you can get tested somewhere else. My brother in law failed his exam a couple of times. He went to a different town and the people there where nicer and he passed.

Answer 3

First of all, don't give up. Others have failed their tests far more times than you have. I wouldn't take any medication as it will likely impair your judgement at a crucial moment.

I'd take a break for a week or two and focus more on relaxation techniques. Book a new test about a month away and have a lesson a week before you take the test and a second lesson the morning of your test.

Of course, if you can comprehend that not passing your test is not life-threatening, you will begin to overcome this irrational fear that has you so nervous.

My Mum learned to drive when she was 60 and it took her four goes. She's been driving for over 12 years now.

There's no stigma attached to not passing first time.

Even Maureen from Driving School had over 40 lessons and she eventually passed. You'll be fine if you learn to relax. Remember, your instructor would not have suggested you go for the test if they didn't think you were ready.

Everyone gets nervous on the day.

Good luck!

Answer 4

It doesn't sound like your ability, especially as you mention your nerves mostly.

If you're nervous you would fail a job interview that you're more than qualified for. It's nothing to do with skill.

Most people don't like to hear this, but the best advise I can give is don't pussyfoot around with stupid 'cures' like Kalms - they're just a creation made to make somebody very rich. At the end of the day all you are doing is going to drive a car for around 30 minutes. Millions of people are driving cars constantly - it really isn't difficult and I'm sure deep down you must know that.

Just get in there and do it!

Best preparation you can have is keep having mock tests with different instructors. No better preparation once you have attained the required skill level.

And mate...instructors are in it to make money - if they really didn't think you were good enough to sit the test they'd happily book you in on another months worth of lessons.

Answer 5

Hi, I know just how you feel. The exact same thing happened to me. It was only my husband that kept me going and would not let me give up. I took Kalms for 2 weeks, they were good. I booked my test for a Saturday morning @ 08.30, so that the roads were quieter, and I had one less thing to worry about. Less traffic on the roads gives you more time to think and concentrate on what your doing. I made sure I had a good breakfast, I had porridge , and I also took a can of Red Bull with me which I drank just before the test. Just make sure you go to the loo before your test too! I also found chewing gum helps me concentrate. Finally I took my husbands advise and just imagined I was a chauffeur and I was giving the instructor the best trip I could. I passed 3rd time lucky! Keep calm and don't give up, it will be worth it in the end.

Answer 6

Don't give up.
My sister failed her test TEN times before passing on the eleventh! I have heard a few people taking Kalms and they are supposed to work. You could also try Quiet Life, from the health food shops. It works in the same way as Kalms. Try both and see what works best for you.
Good Luck, you WILL do it.

Answer 7

Well, carry on with your lessons until you feel more confident. Dont even think about doing another test until you are happy.
Dont drug yourself up to do a test. That isnt right.
My test was horrible, It was pissing it down, an old woman jumped out in front of me, I was so nervous I hit the wrong button and opened the boot and I could here it banging all the way round and it flashed up on my dashboard. But I passed first time. Just keep going whatever happens in the test and you will pass eventually.

Answer 8

A friend of mine failed her test 5 times because of nervous, she took some kalms the night before her 6th test and she passed, don't know if it was because of the kalms but may be worth a go

Answer 9

Dont give up!!! You got this far! the best thing to do is just take your time i failed my first two tests took a few more lessons say 4 or 5 until my confidence was high again then past my test third time!

So all i can say is good luck and i hope its third time lucky for you :-)

Answer 10

Don't give-up, you'll be old and grey some day and the only thing that people will find fascinating about you is that you got to that age without driving.My dad fixed cars when i was young so he let me drive old bangers round the place from i was about 11/12, when i went for my test i thought I'd pass no problem! It took me 4 times to pass (i put it twice down to F&^%$NG stupid driving testers!!!) But none the less i stuck at it and got there!
I just couldn't manage without driving, part of my job, as an Ann Summers Organiser (hehe) is to drive round the country doing parties for ladies and keeping them, and there men happy! So don't give up, Take a deep breath and go for it!!!

Answer 11

Take Kalms for two weeks before your test. On the night before, lay quietly, and run through the whole test scenario in your head. Wear something red on the day.

I haven't time to explain all of these things, but trust me, they work! (I answered a question similar to this along time ago, in detail, so check out my very early answers and you'll see what I mean)

I would say 'good luck', but you don't need it, you'll pass next time.