Theory test expires in 5 months, worth trying to pass before then?
I tried learning to drive with two instructors over the course of 10 months, spending just over £4k. I failed three times (1-2 serious and 4-6 minors on all 3) and hated every second of it. Now I'm going off to university in a few months and was wondering is it worth trying again. I have a few thousand saved to make living at university more comfortable, but is it worth instead spending this money on driving lessons? I don't intend on getting a car or getting insured on my parents' car until after uni. I just feel like everyone around me has either passed or is learning and I am the only one who has given up, which comes at great humiliation from others. Is it worth it?
Reply 1
At this point, are you currently able to drive safely?
I failed my test twice but knew how to drive and be safe on the road after having about as many lessons as you, so my father was kind enough to sit in the car with me while I practiced the areas I'd failed on.
I don't know your situation but it doesn't seem urgent that you know how to drive if you won't have a car for ~3 years - do not worry about passing urgently. If you feel safe on the road and that your test results were only due to circumstances on the day, attempt to get some practice in those areas with an adult you trust and who is willing to do it for free. The examiners shouldn't fail you if you drive safely, and if you have a test centre vaguely nearby which has higher pass rates it might be worth trying to book there.
Don't spend your uni money on driving lessons after 10 months of them, spend it on important things like food and potentially a theory/driving test when you feel ready.
I think that you should be able to pass it in 5 months if you are able to put the practice in, but if you have A levels coming up maybe don't, it could be too much pressure. If your last test was recent then maybe give it a few weeks before booking, you shouldn't feel frustrated with driving, and if you're at the point where you hate it wait till you can take your test in a better mental state.
To conclude: potentially worth trying to pass in 5 months so long as you don't have much on. Likely not worth paying for more driving lessons. You can always have one or two before the test itself if you are concerned. Wait to take the test if you do not feel safe or happy driving- being fed up can be dangerous, from firsthand experience.
I failed my test twice but knew how to drive and be safe on the road after having about as many lessons as you, so my father was kind enough to sit in the car with me while I practiced the areas I'd failed on.
I don't know your situation but it doesn't seem urgent that you know how to drive if you won't have a car for ~3 years - do not worry about passing urgently. If you feel safe on the road and that your test results were only due to circumstances on the day, attempt to get some practice in those areas with an adult you trust and who is willing to do it for free. The examiners shouldn't fail you if you drive safely, and if you have a test centre vaguely nearby which has higher pass rates it might be worth trying to book there.
Don't spend your uni money on driving lessons after 10 months of them, spend it on important things like food and potentially a theory/driving test when you feel ready.
I think that you should be able to pass it in 5 months if you are able to put the practice in, but if you have A levels coming up maybe don't, it could be too much pressure. If your last test was recent then maybe give it a few weeks before booking, you shouldn't feel frustrated with driving, and if you're at the point where you hate it wait till you can take your test in a better mental state.
To conclude: potentially worth trying to pass in 5 months so long as you don't have much on. Likely not worth paying for more driving lessons. You can always have one or two before the test itself if you are concerned. Wait to take the test if you do not feel safe or happy driving- being fed up can be dangerous, from firsthand experience.
As you do not intend to have a car to drive until after uni and don't find it easy to pass the test now I would be inclined to leave it and wait until you have finished uni. At that stage your car insurance will probably be a bit lower anyway as you will be older and by then you may be planning to get a car or get insured on your parents' car shortly after passing the test. That would be better as your driving skills will be fresh for you to then build upon with regular use of a car!
Also, I would try to rise above the humiliation if you can as there isn't any benefit to you in passing the test now anyway as you don't intend to have use of a car to drive! Save your money for use at university so you can enjoy yourself more there!
It does mean you will need more driving lessons then though but some of your residual knowledge/experience will still be there. You may be in a better place then to enjoy/be enthusiastic about the lessons, especially if you have more of a reason for passing (i.e. would be getting a car and making use of it).
Also, I would try to rise above the humiliation if you can as there isn't any benefit to you in passing the test now anyway as you don't intend to have use of a car to drive! Save your money for use at university so you can enjoy yourself more there!
It does mean you will need more driving lessons then though but some of your residual knowledge/experience will still be there. You may be in a better place then to enjoy/be enthusiastic about the lessons, especially if you have more of a reason for passing (i.e. would be getting a car and making use of it).
(edited 3 weeks ago)
Reply 3
In short, no
You hate it.
You have no immediate use for it.
You would struggle to get a test in time.
Until you can solidly identify what the existing issues are (after 100/150 odd hours of lessons) then I don't think it's good value throwing more money/lessons at it (Sunk Cost Fallacy)
And lastly, what other people are doing just doesn't matter, especially when £1000s are involved and as said, you actually hate it.
You hate it.
You have no immediate use for it.
You would struggle to get a test in time.
Until you can solidly identify what the existing issues are (after 100/150 odd hours of lessons) then I don't think it's good value throwing more money/lessons at it (Sunk Cost Fallacy)
And lastly, what other people are doing just doesn't matter, especially when £1000s are involved and as said, you actually hate it.
Reply 5
Keep pressing on till you pass.
If you give up the lessons for a few years, you'll be rusty when you return.
It's also good to get into the habit and have the self image that you're a determined person. And you'll keep going towards a goal until you succeed.
What you could do is to adjust how you're learning to drive.
You could, for example, complete your training with amateur instructors. EG mum or dad. Even if that involves you buying a cheapo little noddy car with a manual gearbox.
It's fine to use the success of others as motivation for yourself. And to think to yourself "If he or she can do it, so can I!"
If you give up the lessons for a few years, you'll be rusty when you return.
It's also good to get into the habit and have the self image that you're a determined person. And you'll keep going towards a goal until you succeed.
What you could do is to adjust how you're learning to drive.
You could, for example, complete your training with amateur instructors. EG mum or dad. Even if that involves you buying a cheapo little noddy car with a manual gearbox.
It's fine to use the success of others as motivation for yourself. And to think to yourself "If he or she can do it, so can I!"
If you do want to press ahead with it over the coming months I would suggest trying to book a test for the end of the summer holidays and for driving lessons throughout the summer holidays. Maybe try a different instructor if you think it might make a difference? I wouldn't get distracted by this in the run up to your A levels as your A levels results are going to be far more important. It will be far more disruptive to you if your grades are lowered by the distraction of trying to pass a driving test. You have years ahead of you to take driving lessons and pass the test since you don't intend to be using a car whilst at university anyway!
Original post by Hedgehog ED
I tried learning to drive with two instructors over the course of 10 months, spending just over £4k. I failed three times (1-2 serious and 4-6 minors on all 3) and hated every second of it. Now I'm going off to university in a few months and was wondering is it worth trying again. I have a few thousand saved to make living at university more comfortable, but is it worth instead spending this money on driving lessons? I don't intend on getting a car or getting insured on my parents' car until after uni. I just feel like everyone around me has either passed or is learning and I am the only one who has given up, which comes at great humiliation from others. Is it worth it?
How good are you?/how confident that you will pass?
If you are pretty good, and just need brushing up (and possibly it was just bad luck when you took your test and you made mistakes) then id go for it and try.
If you think you need more practice and/or it may take a while, then id wait until after uni.
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Theory test expires in 5 months, worth trying to pass before then?
