Keep failing driving test, NEED to pass, try automatic?

Morganarla

Hi all! :beer:

As per the title, I keep failing my driving test. Have taken it four times now, and keep failing on STUPID errors each time.

I have been driving for over 10 years (am nearly 26 ) on private land, loads of driving lessons with four different instructors, and I admit it, illegally on the roads as a teen driving alone in my boyfriends car (thank god I never got stopped..) so I have lots of driving experience. When I'm not in a test situation, I can drive confidently and competently, pass every mock test my instructors have set me, but I completely go to pieces in the test. have tried Kalms, Rescue Remedy, breathing/anti panic techniques, but nothing works, I always make some kind of silly cockup, normally towards the end of the test.

It's because the test means so much to me, it would make a SIGNIFICANT difference to my life if I could drive, from both a social and work aspect. So I over-concentrate, over-check, get over-anxious, over-think everything...

My life will be changing in the next few months, my partner has got an internship in a rural area where I have also applied to college. My college course will require me to be on placement for 3 days a week, and if I can't drive, I will be REALLY restricted as to where I can go (placements are almost as rare as hens teeth..) and then I won't make the required hours for my course and subsequently fail the year.

So I HAVE to be driving by August at the latest.

Having chatted with my Dad (ex racing driver, been driving for over 30 years) and he suggested trying for a few lessons and then a test in an automatic? His reasoning being that taking away the clutch and gears (even though I have no problems with them) gives me less to have to think about and over-focus on in the test so more chance of passing, particularly with my experience.

He can get me an auto car so no problem there, and I can take my manual test further down the line if necessary but getting an automatic licence solves the immediate problem.


Any thoughts? Anyone been in the same position?


EDIT: 24th March 2014 - After taking ten lessons with a lovely local auto instructor, I passed today with only two minors. I was an absolute jibbering wreck as normal, but my initial thoughts of having less to worry about (ie gears, despite being able to use them..) worked EXACTLY as I had hoped. The examiner was hugely complimentary about my driving, observations and competence, despite the very, very obvious nerves (trembling legs and nearly vomiting before starting the test...)

It's also my 27th birthday today, and it's been the best present to myself! I fully intend on going for my manual test in a couple of years time, once I've been driving and got even more confident. I'm very glad that I didn't listen to those of you who scorned the very prospect.

Thanks to all for the encouragement, anyone else reading that might be in a similar position - give auto a go. It might be just what you need. x

System

Last Saturday i was talking to someone who failed her test 13 times and she only reconned she passed the 14th time because the driving examiner felt sorry for her.

I know it all seems a big waste of money but for goodness sake dont do what i did. Fail once on 1 minor and refuse to go on the road again. Its all valuable experience.

Yorkie1

My best friend's husband couldn't pass on a manual, had no problems in an auto.

Why don't you give it a try?

DUTR

Yorkie1 wrote: »

My best friend's husband couldn't pass on a manual, had no problems in an auto.

Why don't you give it a try?

If you can drive you can drive! passing in an auto restrict the holder to just driving auto's , the OP should get over themself, forget the attention seeking, be confident during the test and finally pass. If other people can pass ... well so can they... unless of course they are a less a person than everybody that has eventually passed.
Keep trying OP you will get there.

1886

If gears changes are the reason why you're failing then yes an auto will take away that issue. If you're failing because of other reasons then an auto won't be a sure way to pass..

With regards to an above post, the instructor passed somebody because they felt sorry for her.. another person on the road that should'nt be! Hope they don't live near me

Morganarla

@DUTR

Sorry but what exactly do you mean by attention seeking? I have just tried to be honest about my driving skills and what happens during my tests?

I don't have money to keep throwing away at tests where I try to be confident but still fail. Hence trying to explore other options.

DUTR

Morganarla wrote: »

@DUTR

Sorry but what exactly do you mean by attention seeking? I have just tried to be honest about my driving skills and what happens during my tests?

I don't have money to keep throwing away at tests where I try to be confident but still fail. Hence trying to explore other options.

There are no other options but to demonstrate on the day that you are able to control a motorcar on the public highways without posing a danger to yourself or other road users.
I had a similar driving history to you as in 2 lessons , test ..fail, 2 more lessons test and pass.
You pass your test then learn to drive.
The attention seeking I mention comes from .... well there is no other way than the paragraph above, if you keep telling yourself you cannot do something, then you won't be able to, so keep telling yourself you can pass and you will :cool:

Morganarla

Hrm.

You're mistaken with the whole 2 lessons, test, 2 lessons test. Think more, 30 lessons, able to control a motorcar on the public highways without posing a danger to myself or other road users, panic during test, fail, repeat over and over.

Do you really think that I constantly tell myself that I can't do it and that's why I don't? Ridiculous, honestly. I KNOW that I can drive, and I KNOW that I will pass my manual test one day.

BUT,

The ability to drive unsupervised has now become an absolute necessity rather than just something I need to do. And as discussed with my father, there IS another way to try apart from how I am doing it that would hopefully get me on the road quicker and not leave me stuck.

scotsbob

If you are not failing on clutch control/gear changing then an automatic will make no difference.
Not surprised you pass the "mock tests" set by your instructor, he isn't going to fail you is he? Think that one through.

DUTR

Morganarla wrote: »

Hrm.

You're mistaken with the whole 2 lessons, test, 2 lessons test. Think more, 30 lessons, able to control a motorcar on the public highways without posing a danger to myself or other road users, panic during test, fail, repeat over and over.

Do you really think that I constantly tell myself that I can't do it and that's why I don't? Ridiculous, honestly. I KNOW that I can drive, and I KNOW that I will pass my manual test one day.

BUT,

The ability to drive unsupervised has now become an absolute necessity rather than just something I need to do. And as discussed with my father, there IS another way to try apart from how I am doing it that would hopefully get me on the road quicker and not leave me stuck.

I meant where you wrote"illegally on the roads as a teen driving alone"
Many have done similar, it shouldn't take you 10 years to pass if you are able to drive solo and without drawing attention to yourself, I can think of no other way than to be positive and confident on the day :cool: , the examiners are not in place to fail people just to ensure they demonstrate competence.

missile

Morganarla wrote: »

H
Having chatted with my Dad ... and he suggested trying for a few lessons and then a test in an automatic?

Any thoughts? Anyone been in the same position?

I passed my m/c and then car test first time so I have no experience of your test nerves, but I would suggest your dad's suggestion is definately worth a try.

Good luck with your college course :j