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Major nerves about driving test
Ive taken one practical test so far and I failed because of "undue hesitation" at the first junction as it was really busy and I didnt know when to pull out so I waited for ages. I know I'm a good driver, but I got so nervous beforehand for days before. The examiner said my driving style was too jerky, but I'm not normally like that at all, my legs were shaking so much it was hard to do anything. Everyone I've asked about it said they were nervous initially but that wore off after 5 mins, with me it didn't. I've booked another one and its in less that 2 weeks. I'm really nervous about it already, like that feeling of extreme nerves and nausea you get before a bad exam, I get all the time now. I can't sleep, like last night I went to bed at 10:30 and didn't get to sleep until after 4, because I was worrying and my heart was beating really fast, and that hurt. The other day I was thinking about it and I couldn't cope and couldn't breathe properly.
Has anyone else got like this? Do I stand a chance of passing this next test? What can I do to calm down about it?
Thanks for any help or advice you can offer
liz xxxxx
Has anyone else got like this? Do I stand a chance of passing this next test? What can I do to calm down about it?
Thanks for any help or advice you can offer
liz xxxxx
You really have to try and relax. I was the same when I did mine but as soon as I started driving, I calmed down. Then you just need to concentrate on giving the examiner the smoothest ride of their life! I just found myself in a trance doing mine, I was concentrating so hard! Another bit of advice I can offer is make sure you say hello properly to your instructor before starting, I know it sounds silly but it will make you feel more relaxed. When I did my first test (which I failed) my instructor didnt say hello to me or anything, he just got straight in the car and basically ignored me, so that made me feel really uncomfortable, making me nervous. The second time, which I passed, I had a female instructor who was lovely and made conversation with me before we got in the car, which helped me to relax.
I dont think theres really much advice I can offer apart from that, try Bachs Rescue Remedy if you are really struggling!!!
I dont think theres really much advice I can offer apart from that, try Bachs Rescue Remedy if you are really struggling!!!
best thing is not to worry about the mistakes you make, if you do worry with the mistakes you make then you are likely to make another and fail your test.
on my test i hit the kerb at 30 when passing a massive bus which was in the middle of the road right at the beginning of the test. i forgot about the mistake and passed.
on my test i hit the kerb at 30 when passing a massive bus which was in the middle of the road right at the beginning of the test. i forgot about the mistake and passed.
I know exactly how you feel! I passed my test in feb this year on my 6th test. Mixture of reasons really, very long story, but the end result was that as I failed each test I got worse. Don't know tbh honest as I was ready to pass the 1st test but I should had been able to pass from my 2nd onwards but I ended up in a cycle of failing so I expected to fail, so I failed the next one and so on.
I know what you mean about your legs shaking, I was the same. I would stall when I never normally stalled in lessons because my leg was shaking, I would over steer and clip the kerb etc.
A few suggestions!:
On my 5th test I asked my instructor to sit in the car with me during the test. A lot of people dont seem to realise that it is perfectly ok for them to do that. I found that I was happier having someone I knew in the car as well. They have to sit in the back though, and they cant talk to you during your test. It also meant that when I failed my instructor had seen what I was driving like and had seen what I had failed on, which helped to work on it for my next test. If you drive well normally it might help your instructor to see what you drive like when on a test.
Another point, again people don't always realise that you can ask to take a bit of a breather if you need it. If your legs are shaking etc ask if you can pull up (somewhere suitable though) and have a minute or two break. You obviously cant stop for half an hour but you are better having a minute to calm down than keep driving and panicking.
Don't worry about mistakes you make, they might be less important than you think and only be a minor. I know I was bad with this, I would make a mistake and think I had failed, go to pieces and then realise at the end that I had failed on something totally different. Don't worry when the examiner is writing things down, it doesnt mean it is a fail, it could just be a minor fault, or he could be making notes about the manoeuvres you are doing, the route you are going etc.
I don't know if you will have thought about taking any of the rescue remedy things or not. I know a lot of people who thought they were rubbish and did nothing and others who thought they were great. Personally I found they helped. For my 5th test I had tried to 'Kalms' tablets (which are herbal tablets, boots etc sell them) and didnt find they did much. I spoke to someone though who siad you need to take them longer term. So about 2/3 weeks before my 6th test I started taking the full dose of them ( can't remember the amount, it says it on the bottle) and I did begin to feel a lot more relaxed in general and managed to sleep better as well. I also used the 'rescue remedy' drops/spray on the day of my test which is meant to help with nerves, (again these are herbal and you can get them from boots) you just have a couple of sprays or drops on your tongue. Its up to you if you try anything like this, personally I did feel like they helped but everybody is different. Just a point though, people often take them half heartedly saying they wont work and that they will still be nervous etc and convince themselves they wont work. If you try and think they will they are more likely to, they aren't a miracle cure but are herbs which will calm you down, if you will let them, if that makes sense!
A final thing, I found in the end that rather than going in feeling that I MUST pass, it felt better going in just to give it another shot and to see how it went. If I failed I would just find out what I needed to work on, rather than beating myself up about another failure. Just go and give it your best shot! If you want anymore advice, or just to have a chat about it feel free to PM me if you want. Good Luck!
I know what you mean about your legs shaking, I was the same. I would stall when I never normally stalled in lessons because my leg was shaking, I would over steer and clip the kerb etc.
A few suggestions!:
On my 5th test I asked my instructor to sit in the car with me during the test. A lot of people dont seem to realise that it is perfectly ok for them to do that. I found that I was happier having someone I knew in the car as well. They have to sit in the back though, and they cant talk to you during your test. It also meant that when I failed my instructor had seen what I was driving like and had seen what I had failed on, which helped to work on it for my next test. If you drive well normally it might help your instructor to see what you drive like when on a test.
Another point, again people don't always realise that you can ask to take a bit of a breather if you need it. If your legs are shaking etc ask if you can pull up (somewhere suitable though) and have a minute or two break. You obviously cant stop for half an hour but you are better having a minute to calm down than keep driving and panicking.
Don't worry about mistakes you make, they might be less important than you think and only be a minor. I know I was bad with this, I would make a mistake and think I had failed, go to pieces and then realise at the end that I had failed on something totally different. Don't worry when the examiner is writing things down, it doesnt mean it is a fail, it could just be a minor fault, or he could be making notes about the manoeuvres you are doing, the route you are going etc.
I don't know if you will have thought about taking any of the rescue remedy things or not. I know a lot of people who thought they were rubbish and did nothing and others who thought they were great. Personally I found they helped. For my 5th test I had tried to 'Kalms' tablets (which are herbal tablets, boots etc sell them) and didnt find they did much. I spoke to someone though who siad you need to take them longer term. So about 2/3 weeks before my 6th test I started taking the full dose of them ( can't remember the amount, it says it on the bottle) and I did begin to feel a lot more relaxed in general and managed to sleep better as well. I also used the 'rescue remedy' drops/spray on the day of my test which is meant to help with nerves, (again these are herbal and you can get them from boots) you just have a couple of sprays or drops on your tongue. Its up to you if you try anything like this, personally I did feel like they helped but everybody is different. Just a point though, people often take them half heartedly saying they wont work and that they will still be nervous etc and convince themselves they wont work. If you try and think they will they are more likely to, they aren't a miracle cure but are herbs which will calm you down, if you will let them, if that makes sense!
A final thing, I found in the end that rather than going in feeling that I MUST pass, it felt better going in just to give it another shot and to see how it went. If I failed I would just find out what I needed to work on, rather than beating myself up about another failure. Just go and give it your best shot! If you want anymore advice, or just to have a chat about it feel free to PM me if you want. Good Luck!
Yeah my mum tried calming tablets which she reckoned were essential in passing her test.
As for the examiner noting things down... I had a mock test the other week (still haven't taken the real thing!) and whenever I made a minor fault eg. road positioning I saw my instructor making a note on his pad, and I thought "ah what could that be? Aha, I'm a mile from the kerb!" Apparently different examiners do things different way, such as saving things up and not writing anything down until the end or when you stop at traffic lights. So don't get stressed when you see them writing stuff!
As for the examiner noting things down... I had a mock test the other week (still haven't taken the real thing!) and whenever I made a minor fault eg. road positioning I saw my instructor making a note on his pad, and I thought "ah what could that be? Aha, I'm a mile from the kerb!" Apparently different examiners do things different way, such as saving things up and not writing anything down until the end or when you stop at traffic lights. So don't get stressed when you see them writing stuff!
You will laugh but: "It's just a driving test!"
Crap happens on the road - you need to just be calm before hand. Treat the examiner as if he/she were your instructor in a silly jacket! Whether you pass depends on the road situation, time of day etc. - for first timers, book you're test at a time when the roads are likely to be v quiet - I did mine a 10am tuesday, just don't do first thing in the morning, or 2:30pm to 4pm - school time. Plenty of kids to kill.
As for undue hesitation, if you miss one "big" gap, then make sure you don't bloody miss the next or you'll get a minor. Take your time on everything, and drive around 3mph below the speed limit or you'll be done for not keeping up with traffic.
If you're in an unusual situation, the examiner will help you (ambulance coming towards you wrong way down one way street etc).
The examiner I had gave me a minor as soon as we pulled out of the test centre. I have no idea what for?? Then he saved the rest up until the end of the test and made me wait while he filled it in. got 4 minors and passed 1st time!!
Basically:
Keep cool and breathe. Swear as much as you like when driving. But don't criticise others.
DO NOT APOLOGISE FOR ANYTHING during the test.
Do EVERY single petty mirror check for the first 5 mins of the test. He will be watching. Then you can relax abit, but still check them - he won't be watching as much.
If you go the wrong way, forget about it, you can't be failed if you turn left safely and correctly if he says turn right (i did it twice).
Know your car.
Remember your glasses (duh!)
Don't look at the examiner, but chat back if they start to make conversation.
Take everything slowly, gear changes, the lot - smooth rides do wonders for the examiners.
Finally - sleep the night before, and try to get a lesson in before the test. Keep the rest of the day free so your mind is clear while you do the test.
Good luck!
Crap happens on the road - you need to just be calm before hand. Treat the examiner as if he/she were your instructor in a silly jacket! Whether you pass depends on the road situation, time of day etc. - for first timers, book you're test at a time when the roads are likely to be v quiet - I did mine a 10am tuesday, just don't do first thing in the morning, or 2:30pm to 4pm - school time. Plenty of kids to kill.
As for undue hesitation, if you miss one "big" gap, then make sure you don't bloody miss the next or you'll get a minor. Take your time on everything, and drive around 3mph below the speed limit or you'll be done for not keeping up with traffic.
If you're in an unusual situation, the examiner will help you (ambulance coming towards you wrong way down one way street etc).
The examiner I had gave me a minor as soon as we pulled out of the test centre. I have no idea what for?? Then he saved the rest up until the end of the test and made me wait while he filled it in. got 4 minors and passed 1st time!!
Basically:
Keep cool and breathe. Swear as much as you like when driving. But don't criticise others.
DO NOT APOLOGISE FOR ANYTHING during the test.
Do EVERY single petty mirror check for the first 5 mins of the test. He will be watching. Then you can relax abit, but still check them - he won't be watching as much.
If you go the wrong way, forget about it, you can't be failed if you turn left safely and correctly if he says turn right (i did it twice).
Know your car.
Remember your glasses (duh!)
Don't look at the examiner, but chat back if they start to make conversation.
Take everything slowly, gear changes, the lot - smooth rides do wonders for the examiners.
Finally - sleep the night before, and try to get a lesson in before the test. Keep the rest of the day free so your mind is clear while you do the test.
Good luck!
baby_emmy
I do that so much!!! I correct myself whilst i say it though, lol! Any ideas on how to stop that?... I was thinking of trying to say a random word instead but didn't know if that would be too odd!
-x-
-x-
erm - don't think about it? If you go the wrong way then i'm sure its ok, but correcting yourself...death wish.
you could start humming lol!
baby_emmy
I do that so much!!! I correct myself whilst i say it though, lol! Any ideas on how to stop that?... I was thinking of trying to say a random word instead but didn't know if that would be too odd!
-x-
-x-
Yes I do that too and say things when I do something wrong, my instructor has told me not to do it or say anything really because it gives the impression that you are not confident.
Spacecam
You will laugh but: "It's just a driving test!"
Crap happens on the road - you need to just be calm before hand. Treat the examiner as if he/she were your instructor in a silly jacket! Whether you pass depends on the road situation, time of day etc. - for first timers, book you're test at a time when the roads are likely to be v quiet - I did mine a 10am tuesday, just don't do first thing in the morning, or 2:30pm to 4pm - school time. Plenty of kids to kill.
As for undue hesitation, if you miss one "big" gap, then make sure you don't bloody miss the next or you'll get a minor. Take your time on everything, and drive around 3mph below the speed limit or you'll be done for not keeping up with traffic.
If you're in an unusual situation, the examiner will help you (ambulance coming towards you wrong way down one way street etc).
The examiner I had gave me a minor as soon as we pulled out of the test centre. I have no idea what for?? Then he saved the rest up until the end of the test and made me wait while he filled it in. got 4 minors and passed 1st time!!
Basically:
Keep cool and breathe. Swear as much as you like when driving. But don't criticise others.
DO NOT APOLOGISE FOR ANYTHING during the test.
Do EVERY single petty mirror check for the first 5 mins of the test. He will be watching. Then you can relax abit, but still check them - he won't be watching as much.
If you go the wrong way, forget about it, you can't be failed if you turn left safely and correctly if he says turn right (i did it twice).
Know your car.
Remember your glasses (duh!)
Don't look at the examiner, but chat back if they start to make conversation.
Take everything slowly, gear changes, the lot - smooth rides do wonders for the examiners.
Finally - sleep the night before, and try to get a lesson in before the test. Keep the rest of the day free so your mind is clear while you do the test.
Good luck!
Crap happens on the road - you need to just be calm before hand. Treat the examiner as if he/she were your instructor in a silly jacket! Whether you pass depends on the road situation, time of day etc. - for first timers, book you're test at a time when the roads are likely to be v quiet - I did mine a 10am tuesday, just don't do first thing in the morning, or 2:30pm to 4pm - school time. Plenty of kids to kill.
As for undue hesitation, if you miss one "big" gap, then make sure you don't bloody miss the next or you'll get a minor. Take your time on everything, and drive around 3mph below the speed limit or you'll be done for not keeping up with traffic.
If you're in an unusual situation, the examiner will help you (ambulance coming towards you wrong way down one way street etc).
The examiner I had gave me a minor as soon as we pulled out of the test centre. I have no idea what for?? Then he saved the rest up until the end of the test and made me wait while he filled it in. got 4 minors and passed 1st time!!
Basically:
Keep cool and breathe. Swear as much as you like when driving. But don't criticise others.
DO NOT APOLOGISE FOR ANYTHING during the test.
Do EVERY single petty mirror check for the first 5 mins of the test. He will be watching. Then you can relax abit, but still check them - he won't be watching as much.
If you go the wrong way, forget about it, you can't be failed if you turn left safely and correctly if he says turn right (i did it twice).
Know your car.
Remember your glasses (duh!)
Don't look at the examiner, but chat back if they start to make conversation.
Take everything slowly, gear changes, the lot - smooth rides do wonders for the examiners.
Finally - sleep the night before, and try to get a lesson in before the test. Keep the rest of the day free so your mind is clear while you do the test.
Good luck!
That's a great post, made me feel much better about when I come to take my test. Rep coming your way tomorrow!
Spacecam
erm - don't think about it? If you go the wrong way then i'm sure its ok, but correcting yourself...death wish.
you could start humming lol!
you could start humming lol!
I've done it for ages, so hard to stop! Shall try humming! Lol
ames123
Yes I do that too and say things when I do something wrong, my instructor has told me not to do it or say anything really because it gives the impression that you are not confident.
Not confident at all, i won't be doing my driving test any time soon (my theory is in a months time then it's at least 8 week waiting!) so luckily i have plenty of time to try and stop saying sorry!!
-x-
Spacecam made some really good points. Its not so much that it is a problem saying sorry about something, but it does show that you aren't that confident with yourself, and also might point something out the examiner missed! Saying sorry if you are a bit jerky bringing the clutch up etc they might not have noticed, but you have pointed it out now!
As has been said as well, if you go the wrong way thats not a problem, as long as you do it all correct for the wasy you go. If you are told to turn left, you check mirrors and indicate right and turn right (in the correct lane) thats ok. If you indicate left for example but go right, or end up in a right only lane etc that will be a fault. Also, if you realise you are going wrong you are probably best staying like that rather than trying to swap lanes on a roundabout etc.
As has been said as well, if you go the wrong way thats not a problem, as long as you do it all correct for the wasy you go. If you are told to turn left, you check mirrors and indicate right and turn right (in the correct lane) thats ok. If you indicate left for example but go right, or end up in a right only lane etc that will be a fault. Also, if you realise you are going wrong you are probably best staying like that rather than trying to swap lanes on a roundabout etc.
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