Any tips on passing a driving test?

myrnahaz

My DD has just failed her driving test again and she's really getting depressed about it. She's a good driver and always seems to fail her test on silly things (usually to do with manouvres) which make her even more unhappy because she feels so useless. We are all so shocked that she didn't pass this time as she really IS very good. And it's costing her a fortune as well as her self confidence.
Her instructor is great and is as baffed as we are (she said that she couldn't teach DD any more about driving as she already knows how to drive).

Other than more practice, can anyone suggest anything. I'm really at a loss here.

ZootHornRollo

try some herbal relaxant tablets if its nerves causing it.

...maybe her instructor isn't the right one for her and a few lessons with a different instructor would make all the difference.

amandada

I'd echo what ZHR says about trying another instructor. I learned to drive too many years ago to be able to give any pointers about a test, but I changed instructors when I was learning, and it was the 2nd instructor who made all the difference to my confidence and driving.

Meanymoo

Oh, your poor daughter. I was in a very similar position (quite a few years ago now) until I finally passed my test. Nerves are definitely the key, and the more you fail, the more you think you're never going to pass. I would recommend having a good break from lessons for a few months, not even thinking about taking a test, but get your daughter to drive your car under your supervision (if this is possible for you) as much as possible - popping to the shops etc as well as longer journeys. The idea is that she'll get more relaxed about driving - she's obviously already more than capable- and doesn't always associate the driving with an hour long lesson or a test. Try a few manoevres when she's feeling relaxed, and get her to take her time over them. Then when she's feeling more chilled out and confident about the whole thing, book a test and a couple of lessons before the test and keep your fingers crossed. Also, of all the people I know who drive, there doesn't seem to be any correlation between passing first time and being a good driver. The only noticeable difference is that those who pass easily are more confident, and too much confidence is not always a good thing. Please tell your daughter she's not alone - she may be like me, really bad at any practical kind of exam - but she will get there in the end!

candygirl

I took me quite a few times, but I found that this site www.2pass.co.uk had lots of really useful advice and support.:p

ellybelly89

Myths about the driving test from http://www.bsm.co.uk/news/4.html

Take your test early in the week. There’s a weekly quota of passes and, when that point’s passed, everyone else fails Taking your test in a driving school car ‘even if you haven’t had lessons with them‘ gives you a better chance of passing The Theory Test is just common sense ‘you don’t need to study’ Don’t take the test in December ‘they’ll fail you so as to make sure they have work for January’ If you fail, your next test is free of charge Tests just before noon or mid afternoon will be quick because examiners just want their lunch or to get home Examiners on Monday morning tests are always grumpy and more likely to fail you You’re not allowed to wear sunglasses on test as it stops the examiner seeing whether you are checking your mirrors You must move your head around violently when checking mirrors to show that you’re doing it properly Women wearing dangling ‘Pat Butcher’ earrings will fail because it annoys the examiner

grade15

where do u live.? anywhere in wales..cos i think your more likely to pass in wales than in england..not much help but what did she fail on exactly?? u could let her drive everywhere..for example..you both go to supermarket or town..let her do the driving..the more she drives..the more she is confident.. i didn't do this but thinking back..if my parents let me drive everywhere..short or long jounerys..i'm sure i would be a much better driver when i was younger..

Ms_Piggy_2

Practice, practice, practice.

That's all there is to it really. I'm a far better driver now then when I first passed and that's coz I have more experience. Also, the more she practices, the more confident she will be.

She must get to grips with her maneuvers - if she can't manage them, then she will fail.

Goo luck - she'll get their eventually.

myrnahaz

Thank you all so much for your comments and advice - I intend to try every suggestion. This was her 6th test - and it was the first with her new (lady) instructor after a break from lessons of over a year. The annoying thing was that she failed on 'reverse round a corner' (a manouvre that she was really confident about). She only had 4 minors otherwise. It seems so harsh as she had just clipped the kerb (I do that when I'm going forwards).
Also, she tried her test in Llanelli, and you can't get more Welsh than that.

She was feeling so good about this test and everyone who had sat with her felt that she was ready for another test. We have all (Mum, Dad, DS, DIL etc) realised that we need to take her out as much as possible so that she gets as confident as possible, so she's going to drive me to Tesco this evening - lucky her!
I agree with Meany moo that she may just be one of these people who go to pieces on a test. You can see why so many people risk driving without a licence - I'm glad it's not something DD has considered. She DID jokingly ask if I'd sit the test for her, but I'm not sure I could pass off as a 23 year old.

She just rang me for a chat and she seems much happier (less sad, anyway) and is keen to try again. I told her about your comments and she was really grateful - she's going to have a look at the 2pass website. She's rebooked her test for a few weeks and has even said she was going to see if she could get a cancellation to do it earlier.

Spirit_2

Poor Daughter and you too.

It took my Daughter 8 attempts over 15 months before she passed her test earlier this year. We changed her instructor and test centre after 6 attempts as it had started to feel that she was going to be invited to the staff Christmas party.

My advice is to keep a sense of perspective and good humour about this or it just adds to the pressure and sense of failure that they have.

myrnahaz

You're right about practice, Ms P. I also think Meanymoo's comment that she may be associating driving with a 1 hour lesson and a test is interesting and may be something we need to break.

She suffered from depression as a teenager and she's only just feeling ready to face the world again, so it's good to see that she's taken the failure on the chin and is willing to try again.