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Help! I can't drive!
I have been having driving lessons for over a year. I have taken 3 tests, and failed them all, I drive fine (and get 3/4 minors) but then end up making one silly mistake that I get a serious error for, (my last test I panicked at an island and turned out when I shouldnt have done.)
I have now got my test again on friday, but I have got insurance on my parents car for the week to get some more driving practice in before...but, I went out in the car with my dad yesterday, and it was horrible. I stalled the car nearly everytime I pulled away (I never stall normally) I couldn't stop the car smoothly, I kept forgetting things, (checking mirrors etc) and couldnt even do a turn in the road. If I pulled up on a hill I just kept rolling and stalling.
I think I was nervous driving with my dad for the first time, and being in a car where it was just me in control of the car - no dual controls. But I am feeling really stupid now, and dont think I can pass my test on friday. I can drive quite well normally, but I just seem to have gone backwards.
Sorry this is a long post! Just wondered if there was anything people would suggest that I try and do before friday.
I have now got my test again on friday, but I have got insurance on my parents car for the week to get some more driving practice in before...but, I went out in the car with my dad yesterday, and it was horrible. I stalled the car nearly everytime I pulled away (I never stall normally) I couldn't stop the car smoothly, I kept forgetting things, (checking mirrors etc) and couldnt even do a turn in the road. If I pulled up on a hill I just kept rolling and stalling.
I think I was nervous driving with my dad for the first time, and being in a car where it was just me in control of the car - no dual controls. But I am feeling really stupid now, and dont think I can pass my test on friday. I can drive quite well normally, but I just seem to have gone backwards.
Sorry this is a long post! Just wondered if there was anything people would suggest that I try and do before friday.
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OMGWTF
Your just nervous. Everyone stalls in a new car, its completely different to drive.
Are you still taking lessons?
Are you still taking lessons?
I've got one hour lesson before my test, and one on wednesday. Both the cars are the same, so it shouldnt have been that different, and even after 1hr 30 of driving it I was no better, I just feel so stupid now, like I have gone backwards.
It will jjust be pressure getting to you. I found the hour driving before my test used to make me worse. On my 4th test (the one i passed) my dad just drove me to the test centre, got out and let me move the seat and then i went inside. I drove pretty well apart from pressing the accelorator instead of brake on emergency stop and even that i corrected quickly so i didnt fail. Even if you really think you have failed klep trying (cos thought id failed on the emergency stop but i tried just in case cos my dad had told me you shouldnt just give up) and go into it with the attitude its only a driving test, you can always take it again, it worked for me, good luck!!
Cathie86
I have been having driving lessons for over a year. I have taken 3 tests, and failed them all, I drive fine (and get 3/4 minors) but then end up making one silly mistake that I get a serious error for, (my last test I panicked at an island and turned out when I shouldnt have done.)
I have now got my test again on friday, but I have got insurance on my parents car for the week to get some more driving practice in before...but, I went out in the car with my dad yesterday, and it was horrible. I stalled the car nearly everytime I pulled away (I never stall normally) I couldn't stop the car smoothly, I kept forgetting things, (checking mirrors etc) and couldnt even do a turn in the road. If I pulled up on a hill I just kept rolling and stalling.
I think I was nervous driving with my dad for the first time, and being in a car where it was just me in control of the car - no dual controls. But I am feeling really stupid now, and dont think I can pass my test on friday. I can drive quite well normally, but I just seem to have gone backwards.
Sorry this is a long post! Just wondered if there was anything people would suggest that I try and do before friday.
I have now got my test again on friday, but I have got insurance on my parents car for the week to get some more driving practice in before...but, I went out in the car with my dad yesterday, and it was horrible. I stalled the car nearly everytime I pulled away (I never stall normally) I couldn't stop the car smoothly, I kept forgetting things, (checking mirrors etc) and couldnt even do a turn in the road. If I pulled up on a hill I just kept rolling and stalling.
I think I was nervous driving with my dad for the first time, and being in a car where it was just me in control of the car - no dual controls. But I am feeling really stupid now, and dont think I can pass my test on friday. I can drive quite well normally, but I just seem to have gone backwards.
Sorry this is a long post! Just wondered if there was anything people would suggest that I try and do before friday.
im in the exact same postion except i have my 5th test this week i have done nearlt 70 hours of driving lessons! i want to give up but at the same time i NEED to pass- im going to keep trying even if i fail my next 50 teats! when i finally do passi will have a MEGA celebration! woo hoo
lol im was so lucky i passed 1st time. i was an awful driver. the day before my test, i had a mock test... i hit the kerb when doing manoeveurs(sp??), i was stalling all the time and i almost had a head on collision with another woman. if my instructor didnt stop the car for me, i wuld have written it off. seriously. it was so scary. and this was the day before my test.
when i took my test, i wasnt nervous at all for some reason. i was so certain that i'd fail that i had no reason to feel nervous...
at the end of the day, nerves are what make you mess up. you just have to focus on what you are doing. try taking deep breaths before the test if you feel nervous. that might help you relax. and remember, driving is different for everyone. i saw a woman on tv who failed her test 20 times before passing. i also have a friend who passed on her 7th time... you will get there!!
1 hour lesson before the test also might not be the best idea. you're unlikely to learn a lot because you'll be fretting over the test. and when you get to the test, you will have been driving for an hour and you're likely to feel tiresome and possibly even more nervous. .
i had a nice time (10:44am). what i did... i had a decent sleep, woke up had good breakfast. instructor pulled up and then i drove to the test center. on the way we pulled into a side road and spent about 10 mins on some of the manoveurs(??!) that needed polishing up. thats all you need. if you try cramming in everything you need to work on in a lesson right before the test, you'll just exhaust yourself.
hardly anyone is actually "ready" when they take their test. learning's a slow process. you dont actually learn to drive until youre actually driving all the time, everyday in your own car. good luck for friday!!! fingers crossed.
when i took my test, i wasnt nervous at all for some reason. i was so certain that i'd fail that i had no reason to feel nervous...
at the end of the day, nerves are what make you mess up. you just have to focus on what you are doing. try taking deep breaths before the test if you feel nervous. that might help you relax. and remember, driving is different for everyone. i saw a woman on tv who failed her test 20 times before passing. i also have a friend who passed on her 7th time... you will get there!!
Cathie86
I've got one hour lesson before my test, and one on wednesday. Both the cars are the same, so it shouldnt have been that different, and even after 1hr 30 of driving it I was no better, I just feel so stupid now, like I have gone backwards.
1 hour lesson before the test also might not be the best idea. you're unlikely to learn a lot because you'll be fretting over the test. and when you get to the test, you will have been driving for an hour and you're likely to feel tiresome and possibly even more nervous. .
i had a nice time (10:44am). what i did... i had a decent sleep, woke up had good breakfast. instructor pulled up and then i drove to the test center. on the way we pulled into a side road and spent about 10 mins on some of the manoveurs(??!) that needed polishing up. thats all you need. if you try cramming in everything you need to work on in a lesson right before the test, you'll just exhaust yourself.
hardly anyone is actually "ready" when they take their test. learning's a slow process. you dont actually learn to drive until youre actually driving all the time, everyday in your own car. good luck for friday!!! fingers crossed.
Reply 8
Okay, I did an intensive course a couple of months back. I failed the test on something I couldn't really help. (Traffic lights turned to Amber at the point where I couldn't stop in time 'safely' - debatable.)
I was insured on my own car for the past couple of weeks, as I took my 2nd test. I failed this one too, despite being able to drive my own car easier than I can walk. I was somewhat disappointed, as the night previously I was doing perfect manoevres in the dark/p*ssing rain with steamed up windows. (I also have no PAS) - and my general driving is pretty damn good.
The 2nd test was failed on 'Safety' when moving off (3 minors) - What the hell? I did it all by the book and I know it. Also Positioning in normal driving. (That's utter carp too), Observations at a Junction and Mirrors when changing direction.
No idea what was wrong with observation at the junction, I have never had a problem with them! Mirrors when changing direction was also a joke; On a 3 lane road I see a bus parked in my lane (inside) so I check mirrors and indicate. I see in my mirror a Punto in the middle lane, moves over to the outside so then I moved to the middle to overtake the bus.
Apparently I 'forced the car to move into another lane' - I wouldn't dream of putting my own car in that sort of danger!
My dad (who is pretty strict and tells it how it is) has been driving for over 30 years and has never caused any sort of accident, and he told me that he has no problems at all with my driving.
I'm sure that these testers just fail people on utter carp so they can get more money off you. I read on a notice at the test centre that 36% of the test fee's goes on Testers' salary!!! No bloody wonder!
I'm really miffed with it now, I'm broke and won't see another test again this year.
I just want to drive my bloody car! 
I was insured on my own car for the past couple of weeks, as I took my 2nd test. I failed this one too, despite being able to drive my own car easier than I can walk. I was somewhat disappointed, as the night previously I was doing perfect manoevres in the dark/p*ssing rain with steamed up windows. (I also have no PAS) - and my general driving is pretty damn good.
The 2nd test was failed on 'Safety' when moving off (3 minors) - What the hell? I did it all by the book and I know it. Also Positioning in normal driving. (That's utter carp too), Observations at a Junction and Mirrors when changing direction.
No idea what was wrong with observation at the junction, I have never had a problem with them! Mirrors when changing direction was also a joke; On a 3 lane road I see a bus parked in my lane (inside) so I check mirrors and indicate. I see in my mirror a Punto in the middle lane, moves over to the outside so then I moved to the middle to overtake the bus.
Apparently I 'forced the car to move into another lane' - I wouldn't dream of putting my own car in that sort of danger!
My dad (who is pretty strict and tells it how it is) has been driving for over 30 years and has never caused any sort of accident, and he told me that he has no problems at all with my driving.
I'm sure that these testers just fail people on utter carp so they can get more money off you. I read on a notice at the test centre that 36% of the test fee's goes on Testers' salary!!! No bloody wonder!
I'm really miffed with it now, I'm broke and won't see another test again this year.
I just want to drive my bloody car! Reply 9
Cathie86
I have been having driving lessons for over a year. I have taken 3 tests, and failed them all, I drive fine (and get 3/4 minors) but then end up making one silly mistake that I get a serious error for, (my last test I panicked at an island and turned out when I shouldnt have done.)
I have now got my test again on friday, but I have got insurance on my parents car for the week to get some more driving practice in before...but, I went out in the car with my dad yesterday, and it was horrible. I stalled the car nearly everytime I pulled away (I never stall normally) I couldn't stop the car smoothly, I kept forgetting things, (checking mirrors etc) and couldnt even do a turn in the road. If I pulled up on a hill I just kept rolling and stalling.
I think I was nervous driving with my dad for the first time, and being in a car where it was just me in control of the car - no dual controls. But I am feeling really stupid now, and dont think I can pass my test on friday. I can drive quite well normally, but I just seem to have gone backwards.
Sorry this is a long post! Just wondered if there was anything people would suggest that I try and do before friday.
I have now got my test again on friday, but I have got insurance on my parents car for the week to get some more driving practice in before...but, I went out in the car with my dad yesterday, and it was horrible. I stalled the car nearly everytime I pulled away (I never stall normally) I couldn't stop the car smoothly, I kept forgetting things, (checking mirrors etc) and couldnt even do a turn in the road. If I pulled up on a hill I just kept rolling and stalling.
I think I was nervous driving with my dad for the first time, and being in a car where it was just me in control of the car - no dual controls. But I am feeling really stupid now, and dont think I can pass my test on friday. I can drive quite well normally, but I just seem to have gone backwards.
Sorry this is a long post! Just wondered if there was anything people would suggest that I try and do before friday.
have you gone from diesel to a petrol car? that would explain the stalling. its harder to stall a diesel
viviki
Don't drive with parents is my advice. It set me back years.
Agree completely, you just pick up bad habits and get slack.
I booked my driving test for a month after my 17th birthday and said to my instructor, "book me for as many lessons as I need to be up to standard by the end of the month". I had a lot of lessons in that month but I passed quickly. (my god, i've been driving for 5 years! I must be getting old!)
Reply 11
i was lucky to pass first time but. ti sounds that your panicing too much. the mmost important thing is to look confident and in control.
i actually hit the kurb turning out of the test centre and thought id faild. i said oops! corrected it and kept at it. at the end the examiner said he didnt fail me for that becayse it didnt phase me and i continued to drive confidently.
for anyone else sceduling their test its best to have a morning test because the examiner is calmer
most importantly: GOOD LUCK
i actually hit the kurb turning out of the test centre and thought id faild. i said oops! corrected it and kept at it. at the end the examiner said he didnt fail me for that becayse it didnt phase me and i continued to drive confidently.
for anyone else sceduling their test its best to have a morning test because the examiner is calmer
most importantly: GOOD LUCK
cjoc28
1 hour lesson before the test also might not be the best idea. you're unlikely to learn a lot because you'll be fretting over the test. and when you get to the test, you will have been driving for an hour and you're likely to feel tiresome and possibly even more nervous. .
'Fraid I'm gonna seriously disagree with you there
The hour's driving lesson gives her a chance to calm down, get used to driving with her instructor and get over some nerves. It's like a warm up. You don't wanna be getting into the car for the first time that morning with the examiner and freaking out
Yeah good point. If I was an examiner and the person was a shivering wreck, I would mark down any borderline errors whereas I might let them off if they appeared to be more in control and generally like a proper driver.
Driving is all about having confidence in yourself and your ability to make the right decisions.
Driving is all about having confidence in yourself and your ability to make the right decisions.
Reply 14
cathie I go to uni in two weeks n have me test soon and ive also failed three times! if i fail...then im buggered for another year. not the only one!
dont deny the guilt hurts, the cost and all that. sometimes i wish i never started driving and sometimes i kick myself for the stupid mistakes (my examiner said "mate you threw that away" on the first test).
but don't be nervous. if you fail you didnt do it deliberately - you're rents probs know you want to pass more than they dont want to slosh over another 500 quid. why feel guilty, you didnt try to fail did you.
and yeh im sure you also get low to the mr/mrs i had 10 hours and passed first time person but thats the way it is. if you were brilliant at everything you took up..life would be pretty dull.
when its over, and i know it will be eventually you'll look back and think you made the biggest fuss over absolutely nothing
dont deny the guilt hurts, the cost and all that. sometimes i wish i never started driving and sometimes i kick myself for the stupid mistakes (my examiner said "mate you threw that away" on the first test).
but don't be nervous. if you fail you didnt do it deliberately - you're rents probs know you want to pass more than they dont want to slosh over another 500 quid. why feel guilty, you didnt try to fail did you.
and yeh im sure you also get low to the mr/mrs i had 10 hours and passed first time person but thats the way it is. if you were brilliant at everything you took up..life would be pretty dull.
when its over, and i know it will be eventually you'll look back and think you made the biggest fuss over absolutely nothing
Thanks for the advice people. I went out with my dad again last night, started driving well, but then went downhill! I ended up halfway across a junction and stalled, and couldn't start it again.
Alot of what is upsetting me is that I know I can drive, I had been driving fine with my instructor, but cant seem to drive now. I have got a couple of days insurance left after I pass my test, but at the moment I dont feel like I could go out on my own in the car, I dont feel ready to drive any more.
I like having the hour lesson before my test, it means that I know I can drive, because I just have.
Alot of what is upsetting me is that I know I can drive, I had been driving fine with my instructor, but cant seem to drive now. I have got a couple of days insurance left after I pass my test, but at the moment I dont feel like I could go out on my own in the car, I dont feel ready to drive any more.
I like having the hour lesson before my test, it means that I know I can drive, because I just have.
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