[pellejema]

I've taken 3 driving tests now. Pretty much always failed on observation-related stuff e.g. not looking in a mirror when changing lanes on a roundabout, not giving enough space to pedestrians, not realising there was a person at a zebra crossing (that one is pretty embarrassing).

Tomorrow it's my next test and I'm SO scared about failing again. I feel like when I'm practicing privately I can drive really well, but on tests I just don't notice stupid things. I literally feel like I'm never going to pass my test even though I've spent over £1500 learning now (well my family have, which makes me feel even worse).

Can anyone give me some tips? Or your own inspiring stories about passing on your 160th test? Stressing here.

[Final Fantasy]

This might sound strange, but talk to yourself throughout your lessons and test.

E.g. red traffic lights approaching, check mirrors and slow down. Junction up ahead, check mirrors... etc.

Talk whenever you spot a hazard or are required to do something such as checking mirrors (which?) changing gears, speak aloud the routines you've been taught when you are required to do them etc. keep looking and stay focused.

Also for the test, be sure to move your head slightly and not just your eyes when looking in the mirrors.

[bluemax]

I failed 3 times too. I was exactly in the same boat as you. I passed miraculously on the 4th attempt.

Wish you goodluck!

[pellejema]

(Original post by Final Fantasy)
This might sound strange, but talk to yourself throughout your lessons and test.

E.g. red traffic lights approaching, check mirrors and slow down. Junction up ahead, check mirrors... etc.

Talk whenever you spot a hazard or are required to do something such as checking mirrors (which?) changing gears, speak aloud the routines you've been taught when you are required to do them etc. keep looking and stay focused.

Also for the test, be sure to move your head slightly and not just your eyes when looking in the mirrors.

This does sound like a good idea. I'll deff try it. Has it worked on personal experience by the way? Thanks for replying

(Original post by bluemax)
I failed 3 times too. I was exactly in the same boat as you. I passed miraculously on the 4th attempt.

Wish you goodluck!

Ahh you know what, it's weirdly reassuring to hear about how people have been through the same amount of tests as I have, not given up and got there in the end. Thank you!

[Final Fantasy]

(Original post by pellejema)
This does sound like a good idea. I'll deff try it. Has it worked on personal experience by the way? Thanks for replying

That advice comes from a driving instructor who has never failed a learner in the last 10 years. The examiners also liked this method - it actually made things easier for them. Give the method a try, once you're into it, it almost compels you to check everything and act upon everything you say (you talk yourself loud what you're going to do as you're about to do it).

[rugbyladosc]

Yeah you will pass... maybe tomorrow/maybe not.... but eventually... you will...

If you fail on observational stuff its not your ability so just make it overly obvious and you'll be fine. I always got really nervous whenever anything difficult came up but i found making conversation with examiners helped... Remember they're not trying to catch you out so just give them what they want and check mirrors loads and you'll pass no probs..




ALSO:

remember us multiple failers are statistically better drivers in the long run

[chunderseverywhere]

I failed my first three times and passed the fourth! I think the biggest trick that helped me is what someone said above, talking myself through everything! It really does help! And when you pass, you feel like you can drive to the moon and back! Just relax, talk yourself through things and hopefully you'll pass! All the best of luck for tomorrow!

[pellejema]

(Original post by Final Fantasy)
That advice comes from a driving instructor who has never failed a learner in the last 10 years. The examiners also liked this method - it actually made things easier for them. Give the method a try, once you're into it, it almost compels you to check everything and act upon everything you say (you talk yourself loud what you're going to do as you're about to do it).

I'll definitely give it a go.

(Original post by rugbyladosc)
Yeah you will pass... maybe tomorrow/maybe not.... but eventually... you will...

If you fail on observational stuff its not your ability so just make it overly obvious and you'll be fine. I always got really nervous whenever anything difficult came up but i found making conversation with examiners helped... Remember they're not trying to catch you out so just give them what they want and check mirrors loads and you'll pass no probs..




ALSO:

remember us multiple failers are statistically better drivers in the long run

Haha I would think that we're statistically better drivers - we've definitely had the practice! The mirrors thing is something I thought I was quite good at, just seems I do stupid things in a test I wouldn't normally do. :\

(Original post by chunderseverywhere)
I failed my first three times and passed the fourth! I think the biggest trick that helped me is what someone said above, talking myself through everything! It really does help! And when you pass, you feel like you can drive to the moon and back! Just relax, talk yourself through things and hopefully you'll pass! All the best of luck for tomorrow!

Ahhhh thank you

[bluemax]

(Original post by pellejema)

Ahh you know what, it's weirdly reassuring to hear about how people have been through the same amount of tests as I have, not given up and got there in the end. Thank you!

oh well I needed it badly too

[Emma-Ashley]

(Original post by Final Fantasy)
That advice comes from a driving instructor who has never failed a learner in the last 10 years. The examiners also liked this method - it actually made things easier for them. Give the method a try, once you're into it, it almost compels you to check everything and act upon everything you say (you talk yourself loud what you're going to do as you're about to do it).

Sorry FF, can you clarify this? Presumably you are not a driving instructor but are talking about someone else? "A driving instructor who has never failed a learner in the last 10 years" As far as I am aware, driving instructors don't fail learners... If you mean that they haven't had any learner fail their test in the last 10 years, that is absolutely staggering! What's their secret?

If you mean an examiner...then that's rubbish.

As for the suggestion that it makes it easier for the examiner and that they like it, it probably has very little bearing if any.

However, the method of giving a commentary can be useful for the pupil to establish the procedures in the pupil's mind although this doesn't work for everyone.

[tobeamedic]

Good Luck for tomorrow. I know one person who did the test like 14 times being a guy. But you are going to pass tomorrow. Don't think too much, you will be fine.

[James82]

There should be a limit to how many times you can take your test, if you can't pass it in 3 attempts you really have to question whether you should be allowed on the roads. Or maybe once you've failed 3 times you should have to take the extended driving test, like those coming back from a drink driving ban.

[Emma-Ashley]

(Original post by pellejema)
I've taken 3 driving tests now. Pretty much always failed on observation-related stuff e.g. not looking in a mirror when changing lanes on a roundabout, not giving enough space to pedestrians, not realising there was a person at a zebra crossing (that one is pretty embarrassing).

Tomorrow it's my next test and I'm SO scared about failing again. I feel like when I'm practicing privately I can drive really well, but on tests I just don't notice stupid things. I literally feel like I'm never going to pass my test even though I've spent over £1500 learning now (well my family have, which makes me feel even worse).

Can anyone give me some tips? Or your own inspiring stories about passing on your 160th test? Stressing here.

Okay, first things first...you can and will pass. Maybe not tomorrow but it will happen eventually.

You mentioned problems with observation on test. Were you aware when you got back to the test centre that you had failed or did you think you had passed? The reason I ask is that if you are taking a test and not realising that you are missing things, then how do you know when you are driving the rest of the time that you aren't missing things there as well? If they really are isolated incidents, then you stand as good a chance of passing as failing. However, if they are simply examples of overall poor observation, then the problem is still likely to cause a fail unless you deal with it.

Please don't misunderstand me; I'm not saying you definitely won't pass - and I really wish you all the best - I'm just trying to get you to understand what the actual problem is.

When my pupils aren't observing correctly I have to establish why. Is it because they are not 'seeing' the potential hazard or is it because they are seeing it but not reacting to it? In the latter case, the solution of providing a commentary may well help because you will then react correctly by checking your mirrors first and then making a decision about what to do. However, if you are not even seeing the hazard, then that is a much bigger problem and providing a commentary won't help - you can't comment on what you haven't seen!

I hope that makes some sense and doesn't cause you to be too demoralised before taking your test.

My advice would be this - follow your instincts and remember that you are driving. If you are good enough to pass, you will. If you are not, you won't. Worrying about it isn't going to make things better, probably worse.

So, best of luck.

Emma

[Emma-Ashley]

(Original post by James82)
There should be a limit to how many times you can take your test, if you can't pass it in 3 attempts you really have to question whether you should be allowed on the roads. Or maybe once you've failed 3 times you should have to take the extended driving test, like those coming back from a drink driving ban.

If you did this, the likelihood of someone being able to pass the extended test when they can't pass the normal one is very small - which is probably your point

What should be happening is that instructors shouldn't be allowing pupils to take tests unless they are good enough and, maybe, people shouldn't be allowed to take their tests privately!

[James82]

(Original post by Emma-Ashley)
If you did this, the likelihood of someone being able to pass the extended test when they can't pass the normal one is very small - which is probably your point

What should be happening is that instructors shouldn't be allowing pupils to take tests unless they are good enough and, maybe, people shouldn't be allowed to take their tests privately!

That's exactly my point, there are some people who just shouldn't be allowed on the roads, perhaps replacing the normal test with the extended one would go a long way to weeding out some of the bad drivers. I was astounded to learn the other day that the emergency is only performed on 1 out of every 3 tests, personally I would like all drivers to be able to stop in an emergency.

Why on earth would a driving instructor recommend a test when you're not ready? Then there's a chance you might pass and they've lost a customer, if anything they will try and keep you back from taking your test so you can carry on with them for longer.

[Emma-Ashley]

(Original post by James82)
That's exactly my point, there are some people who just shouldn't be allowed on the roads, perhaps replacing the normal test with the extended one would go a long way to weeding out some of the bad drivers. I was astounded to learn the other day that the emergency is only performed on 1 out of every 3 tests, personally I would like all drivers to be able to stop in an emergency.

Why on earth would a driving instructor recommend a test when you're not ready? Then there's a chance you might pass and they've lost a customer, if anything they will try and keep you back from taking your test so you can carry on with them for longer.

Unfortunately some of the really bad drivers pass first time (by luck more than judgement) and then think they are invincible. Failing a test 3 times or more doesn't make someone a bad driver necessarily. There are those I know that have taken a number of tests and are now brilliant drivers.

I agree that the emergency stop should be done on every test - but then again, I would like to see the test radically changed anyway. I think it is seriously deficient at the moment.

Very often instructors don't recommend a test but just agree, wrongly, with the pupil's assessment of their own driving. I have seen so many suggestions on this forum that the pupil is the customer and should TELL the instructor when they want to take the test. Now whilst all instructors should be strong enough to say 'No' if the pupil is not ready, sometimes it's not that easy. As instructors, we're damned if we do and damned if we don't.

Unfortunately, there are also some economics which come into play. If an instructor knows that a pupil will fail and don't care about their pass rate, they may allow the pupil to take the test anyway. They get a bundle of money for test day and keep the pupil for the next time. It's something I hate but there's not a lot I can do

[Final Fantasy]

(Original post by Emma-Ashley)
Sorry FF, can you clarify this? Presumably you are not a driving instructor but are talking about someone else?

No, I am not a driving instructor and I was referring to someone else.

"A driving instructor who has never failed a learner in the last 10 years" As far as I am aware, driving instructors don't fail learners... If you mean that they haven't had any learner fail their test in the last 10 years, that is absolutely staggering! What's their secret?

The latter, i.e. they haven't had any learner fail in the past decade, since 2001. Although he is no longer a driving instructor since last year, runs some business instead. His secret? Not exactly sure, the talk method helped a lot which is why I suggested it. Now that I think about it, he did strange things, but it helped. I passed somewhere between lesson 15 - 20 with two minors (1 for slightly speeding and the other because some chav kicked my door at a junction...). The average his learners pass is around the ~20th.

Over 4 years on, clean license, drive most days including motorways and haven't gotten into any bad habits (that I know of).

Also, if you are implying that instructors don't have an impact on whether their learners pass/fail in any way, then I disagree.

If you mean an examiner...then that's rubbish.

As above.

As for the suggestion that it makes it easier for the examiner and that they like it, it probably has very little bearing if any.

Very little bearing is still something. The regular examiners at the test centre always complemented on it. I'll admit however that I don't know for certain if it did make it easier for them.

However, the method of giving a commentary can be useful for the pupil to establish the procedures in the pupil's mind although this doesn't work for everyone.

True, but worth a try no? The OP asked for tips.

[sarahthegemini]

Did you pass OP? I passed on my 6th attempt

[pellejema]

(Original post by sarahthegemini)
Did you pass OP? I passed on my 6th attempt

Haha NO I didn't. Thanks everyone for your tips and stuff though.

It was going really well until 2 minutes before, the test centre literally in sight, the examiner and I were chatting, and I came up to a roundabout, got too trigger happy and pulled out in front of someone. So annoyed at myself but it was totally fair and judgment on roundabouts is something I really need to work on before I pass. I'm hoping on passing next time, number 5!! (if I actually carry it on, that is).

[Multitalented me]

I've already failed 6 times & now have to do my theory all over again, mainly have problems with concentration, judgement & nerves Just don't give up I know it's quite expensive but what else can you do. Just believe in yourself & I'm sure you can get there in the end