i finally passed my driving test yesterday; but i want to share my experiences with the rest of you, particularly those who keep failing or feel like giving up.
i started learning to drive in february last year (so it'll be around a year ago exactly now). i passed my theory first time around in july and after around £900 later, i was ready to take my first practical test in november. i was incredibly nervous and the examiner didn't really help. i was given a serious for speeding and another for something on a roundabout, other than that it was 2 serious and 6 minors. okay i thought, it was my first time. the best drivers pass second time everyone says. i booked my second test as soon as possible.
i found a cancellation for the 4th jan, again 2 majors and 5 minors. stupid reasons again. it was things i could do perfectly fine in lessons, but luck was just against me on my tests.
i got my third test for 17th jan (another cancellation). i had the booking page saved to my favourites, and i would always, without fail have it minimized and continually refresh it. the day came and i took off and as i puled up back again i hear the wise words of power 'im sorry to say on this occasion..' i failed with 2 majors and 5 minors again. the reverse park was a bit off he said and something else which was silly. about this point i felt like giving up, but whats the point i thought.
now with £248 paid to the dsa for 4 lots of 40 minutes of their time (not including the money to my instructor); i took my fourth test on the 31st. i did my test and pulled into the test centre: 'let me just add up my marks...' is this it i thought to myself? 'on this occasion you havent passed the driving test'. fml i thought to myself as i put my head in my hands. i received one major for this, on the reverse park he said i was to close to the car. i felt like i was set up as he asked me to pull over close behind it, then told me to do it. i also got 4 minors. i was so angry and upset - i was minutes away from returning to the test centre. what was the point in giving up now?
i saw people on fb who has been driving for 5 months saying they had passed! i was jealous and angry; the system wasnt fair.
anyway, yesterday arrived, my fifth test. we did the hour before, fine as usual. as i waited in the test centre, my name was called and it was the examiner i had twice before. throughout the test i made conversation with him which went okay. as soon as we took off, not 30 seconds into the test he did the whole 'look over my shoulder which i put a mark on the sheet'; fml i thought, already. anyway, he asked me to the reverse park not 2 minutes into the test, he had a good look around and said okay, drive on. i thought i had messed it up, i was a bit wide. then we did the independent driving, half way through it he said 'okay we've gone off route slightly'; to which i apologised and he said its okay. anyway, 40 or so minutes later we pulled back into the test centre. i was having deja vu; 'okay switch off the engine, just give me a minute to add up my marks' - this went on for ages it felt like. i sat in the same position as the other four times, my belt still on, hands slumped in my lap and my eyes staring into the pedals expecting the worst. 'you have passed the driving test'. my heart skipped a beat (no exaggeration). 'i passed?' 'you passed he said'. i felt as if a weight had been taken off my shoulders, my instructor looked over from across the road, smiled and gave me the thumbs up. 0 majors and 4 minors, i was a happy man. something i really didnt think would happen, had.
it cost me £320 in practical test fees alone, along with the £31 for the theory and around £1000 for lessons (my instructor gave me some for free). but the feeling, its amazing. i didnt tell people about some tests, some people thought it was my second or third. i tell people it was my fifth now just encase they are in the same boat as me; and feel like giving up.
to everyone, no matter how sad or upset you get, or how you think it'll never happen - it will; one day. deep down i knew i wouldnt have a green license forever. just please dont give up; its worth it in the end - thank you for your time and good luck to those still trying.