Failing a driving test.

I failed my first driving test to. It was within 5 minutes of setting off, I stalled on a hill and tried to restart the car in second gear.....more than once. The traffic was queueing behind me and so I failed.

I was gutted to say the least. Floods of tears then anger at myself. It didn't help that my insturctor had a 100% pass rate for that year.

However to get over it I booked myself another test that afternoon. They say you have to wait weeks inbetween but if you book online you can get cancellations almost immediately.

Failing driving tests is super stressful and upsetting but, it does sound like you are suffering from some depressed thinking. Going back to your GP is a good idea.

On the subject of driving tests, I actually lost count of how many I failed before I passed. I used to get so nervous that my legs shook making it a bit tricky to control the pedals. I am fine with written tests, just not the kind of tests where someone is watching me closely. In the end I gave up lessons, my instructor admitted that my problem was tests not driving. Instead I drove around in family car with L plates next to Mr Jolly. I did that for about 6 months and then passed the first test that I took in my own car. That was eight years ago and I haven't looked back. I nearly bobbed myself when it said on Watchdog that the DVLA are losing records of whether some people have passed or not ? I need to send my license back for a name change but now I daren't.

Back on the subject of ssri's they can take a month or so to work. Have you given it that long?

I didn't realise until recently people even did pass first time (or expected to) nowadays TBH.

I thinkI would wait a while to see your GP- I read recently you should observe changes in mood for a period of time before consulting a doctor. The NHS two weeks, I think it makes sense (obviously providing you are not sucicdal) In the meantime why don't you plan something enjoyable to do to take your mind off it for a bit?

?

You're in good company I didn't pass first time, or even second, third or forth for that matter. I think with a driving test it is the fear of the unknown, the fact that you are not totally in control (because you can't control other drivers behaviour), whereas in an exam you can study and are in control of whether you pass or fail.

Have you tried yoga for relaxation, it's especially good for me to take my mind off unemployment. Do go back to the doctor if you feel the need to, you understand yourself better than anyone.

Any friends you can call on for some distraction? or a visit to the gym chocolate aisle of the supermarket

Ok, so failing your driving test, it really doesn't matter. It's a pain because you have to book another and those things aren't cheap, and you'll need more lessons. but I bet loads of us on here failed first time. I did! One thing was the examiner asked me to reverse around a corner and the second the car was around he asked me to drive on - not giving me any chance to start straightening up, and failed me on not straightening the car! Having said that, I failed on 3 different things!

Your reaction does sound extreme and it seems like this is because of your SSRIs/OCD issues. Definitely see your GP if you're not doing too well - how long have you been taking the tablets?

You're understandably gutted, and I think it's normal to be a bit distracted for a day or so, however it sounds like this might be a cog in a bigger wheel of something that's bothering you. Maybe a chat with the GP wouldn't go amiss.

I wouldn't be too upset though - it took me five tests to pass owing to my nerves. In the end I needed beta blockers from the GP.

I failed 6 times, and like others it was more the fear of the test that was causing problems than my actual driving. I recommend you get right back in the saddle, so to speak, with another driving lesson. Try and talk through with your instructor what went wrong and work out whether you need more lessons or whether it is more about getting into the right frame of mind. There are driving instructors who specialise in working with nervous drivers, which could help.

Thank you.

I kept my appointment with my GP and upped my dose of SSRI as everything is just getting on top of me. Also, she's referring me for CBT.

I failed in the first five minutes too, I stopped at a traffic light cos it was red. There was only one vehicle ahead of me (coach) it moved off and then the lights went back to red straight after but I didn't know because of how big the vehicle was and failed due to that. Although I also would have failed the reverse around the corner which I hate! My driving instructor is on holiday for two weeks now but I have my own car to practice in during that and I've booked my second test.

To top it all of I got accused of being an irresponsible mother outside the surgery - I don't even have kids but this toddler was on their own and when someone asked where their mummy was she pointed to me and said "That's my mummy" so they all gave me grief for her being on her own and I had to protest until her real mum came and found her!

Sorry s_s but ? about that little girl!

Hehehe it is funny, cheered me up for about five minutes. It just occured to me that there was no way I could prove I wasn't her Mum!