Driving test nerves

Funkyfarmgirl

meeps wrote: »

my sister kept failing on nerves and the time she passed was when she was allowed her instructor in the car with them as he kept her calmer.

Yes we have tried that , we tried having a woman test examiner, even at one time my brother was training to be a driving instructor and when she went with him she locked herself in bathroom at test center.

Funkyfarmgirl

Wehn she was driving when she was 17/18/19 we bought her a car and she drove most places, so this time we didnt get a car cos we thought maybe that put pressure on her, so we bought another car and pick it up tomorrow one she choose she likes and we will get her to drive most places maybe this will give her more confindence but now shes a few years older we hoped it would get better, drs carnt help any more so were try some other form of therpy. thank you all for your views and help have enjoyed reading them all.

Bufger

If she's so nervous about a test how does she get through life generally? i think you need to back away and let her work this out for herself. Making a big fuss about it will only make her more anxious

She just needs to get on with it, not care about the outcome and drive. The time i passed was the time i thought i'd failed so i relaxed and drove normally - many other people say exactly the same!

Funkyfarmgirl

but that is easier said than done we have backed away shes been back home for almost 2 years and we have driven her back from work 30 miles everyday im not sure by saying to her oh your be fine will sort the issue out the same with anyone with a phobia

Funkyfarmgirl

and the last test she was so nervous they wouldnt even allow her in the car.

webitha

i am the same with tests
very confident doing anythig, but if i know im getting tested i fall to pieces
tell her to convince herself its just another lesson, get her instructor to pretend to be the examiner
oh and i was told to eat plenty of bananas a week or two before hand, as the zinc and potassium in them helps bolster her confidence levels
now i eat them before a test and it works for me, i am b=no longer the bag of nerves i normally am at tests lol

heretolearn_2

some people get prescribed beta blockers by their GP for exam/driving test nerves, you just take them for a couple of days. They are not sedatives, they help with the effects of anxiety.

Fellpony_2

A friend of mine was the same as your daughter and she passed her test after 8 attempts, (she was mobile on an L plated scooter before she passed) and she eventually passed and she swore it was down to Bachs Rescue Remedy, a few drops under her tongue before she set off from home and it helped her calm down. Don't know if you've tried it (and always read the label!!! ) HTH

**Juice**

This is probably only something she can sort out on her own really, and any additional pressure is probably not going to be helpful. She maybe needs to seek hypnotherapy/cognitive behaviour therapy to help with her anxiety?

Alternatively, there may need to be some acceptance that driving just isn't for her - I know a test is really high pressure, but will she be less anxious when she's actually on the road?

tuftyclub

I used http://www.abcdriving.co.uk/ . Worked for me and I really had struggled and genuinely thought I would never pass.
I feel for her - it's awful not to be able to drive.