The Ultimate "I failed my driving test!" Thread ‎-MK II

I passed on my 7th time, I know how it feels to want to give up, but please carry on and you WILL pass!
I honestly was about to give up if I didn't pass my 7th test, and when the examiner said I passed I was in shock for the whole day! But it is an amazing feeling to know that you never have to take a test again and can drive on your own

I used to read posts like this one and think "i'm never going to pass!" or "i've failed the last 6 tests so it is unlikely i'm going to pass the 7th" but you never know Seriously, you can all do it and don't worry about what other people say (i've had a fair few comments and jokes because i've failed so many times, it must mean i'm a bad driver ), because if you can pass your test, it means you ARE a good driver.

I just wanted to use myself as an example to people who have failed a few times and feel like they'll never pass, that it is possible! A big mistake that I did was the more times I failed, the more my confidence in passing the test went down, which made me go into the test thinking i'll probably fail. But my last test I just kept telling myself I can do this and I have to pass this.

Sorry i've gone into a bit of a ramble, but you get my point! If anyone wants to talk about it more with me feel free!
Good luck with your tests

I like to see the light in the end of the tunnel and thanks for sharing your experience with SEVEN trials of practical tests, can I ask you did you repeat them in the same test centres? or did you tend to change them?

Some people say, it's better to change the centre to avoid the bitter experience of the previous test. Others say, the chances going to the same centre is better as you will get to know about the routes and roads etc.

So i assume you're in the best position in answering that, and OMG I'm so desperate to pass this test, it's funny and odd at the same time that I already got my international license yet, can't pass the british one..

I take it the car was indicating to turn into your road? Unlucky, just remember to look left right and all your mirrors before stopping/moving off

Good luck for next time.



What have the majors been in your previous attempts?

when I told my instructor I have chosen Failsworth, he mentioned to me you better off to West Didsbury or Cheetham Hill as their roads are better.

I passed on my 7th time, I know how it feels to want to give up, but please carry on and you WILL pass!
I honestly was about to give up if I didn't pass my 7th test, and when the examiner said I passed I was in shock for the whole day! But it is an amazing feeling to know that you never have to take a test again and can drive on your own

I used to read posts like this one and think "i'm never going to pass!" or "i've failed the last 6 tests so it is unlikely i'm going to pass the 7th" but you never know Seriously, you can all do it and don't worry about what other people say (i've had a fair few comments and jokes because i've failed so many times, it must mean i'm a bad driver ), because if you can pass your test, it means you ARE a good driver.

I just wanted to use myself as an example to people who have failed a few times and feel like they'll never pass, that it is possible! A big mistake that I did was the more times I failed, the more my confidence in passing the test went down, which made me go into the test thinking i'll probably fail. But my last test I just kept telling myself I can do this and I have to pass this.

Sorry i've gone into a bit of a ramble, but you get my point! If anyone wants to talk about it more with me feel free!
Good luck with your tests

Failed my test first time today . Had 19 Minors and 1 serious. Couldnt believe it as I actually thought that I was driving beautifully . So far, that was the best drive I have done and funny enough I didnt feel nervous at all. Got 3 minors for approaching speed and 3 minors for appropriate speed. No faults on my manoeuvres (had parallel park).

My serious was for Safety. Because they were parked cars on both sides and my speed wasnt down enough, he said it could have resulted in a collision and I told him that I made sure there was space between the car approaching and the parked cars but he said my speed wasnt low enough so I got a serious for that.

I stalled once towards the end at a roundabout and I got a minor for that, 2 minors for observation (he didnt explain that, though I made sure I was looking at the mirrors all the time) 1 for timed signal (Im guessing I gave the signal too early or late, he didnt explain that either) another minor for use of speed etc

Came home and gave myself a good cry because I thought it went well. Hurts even more that more than £100 has just gone down the drain. If it was any consoltation, my instructor told me that no one else who took the test the time I did passed, so everyone failed which got me a little suspicious. Did they fail eveeyone or were we all just bad drivers. Anyway rant over back to the drawing board.

"Better" in what way? Better is such a subjective term... If you can drive properly, you can handle all roads in Failsworth, Cheetham, Didsbury, Barnet, Hornchurch, Basildon... All test routes are approved to be of uniform difficulty despite their idiosyncrasies.

Use the centre that's local to you. Don't let your instructor dictate where to go. If he's trying to influence your choice, citing doubts about your ability to drive in a particular area, this raises questions about his training ability.

Well I passed first time today at Southall, with 8 minors.

I remember when I was booking it people that I know were telling me to book it for Isleworth, as the roads near the Southall test centre are narrow and generally everyone else around drives crap, causing problems. But I booked it for Southall after I saw how long the waiting list was (7 weeks at Southall vs 11 weeks at Isleworth). I suppose Isleworth has very few 20mph limits whereas Southall has loads. And the roundabouts there are probably easier. 3 of the minors were for hesitation. But at least I passed, so who cares .

To be honest I have to agree with you, but he said that in terms of the roads at these areas Failsworth is a bit narrow roads with and based on the pass rates which is around 43%, compared to Cheetham hill which is 49%.

Have you posted in the wrong thread by accident, or are you just trying to brag?

Was a mistake

Good luck to everyone else taking their test!

Isint southall meant to be the harder one due to the big roundabouts and stuff?


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To be honest I have to agree with you, but he said that in terms of the roads at these areas Failsworth is a bit narrow roads with and based on the pass rates which is around 43%, compared to Cheetham hill which is 49%.


I'm a quite confident driver, already got my international license for 8 years, however it seems that I'm not able to pass for silly mistakes, last test I got failed for appropriate speed had more than 5 minors which accounts as a major after that. The examiner turned to me and said, you were driving 20-25 mph in a 30mph road and we reached the examination centre by 7 minutes late! so I am kind a bit unlucky, he could obviously pass me, by only marking couple of minors up to 5 for reducing the speed, but its harsh and painful to fail. Anyways, we will see how the next one goes.