Failed my driving test today :(

Just wondering if anybody has an tips for giving it another go. Specifically, tips on settling the nerves. I was absolutely shaking and sweating throughout the entire test.  I did everything I could think of beforehand to calm myself down (ie lots of deep breaths, had a lesson before test, took a zoloft) but none of it worked. Failed on two counts: hit the curb while reversing around the corner and also didn't see an approaching car as it was hidden behind some roadworks vehicles. Sigh. If only I had been able to keep my wits together better I think I might have passed. ARgh!

I think you pretty much know what you need to do.  Keep calm, control the nerves, don't panic and just drive like you know you can. 

Just take your time and think of it as a normal lesson, i'm sure you'll get it on your next try! 

Simon

The same thing happened to me two weeks ago when I took the test!  My nerves got the best of me and I totally biffed it reversing around the corner--something I hadn't a problem with before!  I'm retaking it in a few weeks and hope to have better control of my nerves.  Since I've taken it before, hopefully I won't be quite as nervous.  Best of luck to you!   

think of it as a "practice" driving exam.  don't stress about failing- it'll only make it worse.

i'd book your next test for as soon as possible and capatlize on all your knowledge.  you can do this!

Thanks everyone. I'm ok, just really disappointed. I've rebooked my test but because I need it to be on a Saturday, it isn't until mid-August. Bummer. Anyway, hopefully I'll do better next time since I'll know what to expect. It just really sucks because I've been driving for so long in the States it feels like the expectation for me to pass first time was higher. Oh well.

Sorry to see you didn't pass the first time.  Better luck next try!  Stay as calm as you can

A friend of mine here failed his today too, so you are in good company.  It seems pretty common to fail it just once.  Like others said think of it as a practice exam, like the PSAT or something.

Um, dingbat here... Why do they make you reverse around a corner?  Seems like a dangerous thing to do.

Oh, and you'll know... why is it OK to park in any direction on the street? 

I failed my test the first time too.  The second time I passed but I did not have a lesson before hand because the car was out on another test.  I think this helped to just start the test straight away.  I had a new instructor too who was brilliant.  He recognized that I had been driving for 20 yrs and show me all the pitfalls in the town where I would be taking the test.

Oh, and you'll know... why is it OK to park in any direction on the street?


As far as I know it isn't,you're supposed to park with your tail lights facing oncoming traffic,of course its one of those laws everyone tends to ignore till the cops come round and slap a ticket on your car.


Dave

why is it OK to park in any direction on the street?

Only during daylight hours.   After dark you are supposed to park on the left (except in a designated bay or a one-way street), the idea being that the lights of cars traveling on your side of the street will catch your red rear reflectors.

As Dave says though, this rule seems to be little enforced these days.  It's also a requirement that you leave parking lights on at night when parked on a road with a speed limit in excess of 30 mph, but again, this is widely flouted and ignored these days.

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/22.htm#222

reversing around the corner

Could somebody explain this to me? Do they really mean literally reversing around a street corner, or is this a elusive term for something else?

I actually went into my test hoping I would fail.  I never really wanted to drive and got pressured into it by my families constant "When are you going to learn to drive?" nagging, and I passed.    So, my advice is take your test wanting to fail and you will be calm and relaxed and will probably pass!!!   

I had to reverse around the corner and parallel park (which I was told is rarely asked in a driving test).

For reversing around the corner they tend to take you to a quiet street, I used to think of it as a 3 point turn, only you had to make it around onto another street.  Worst one ever is reversing around the corner and down a hill, never had to do that since, nor do I want to!

Yes, the reverse-around-a-corner will usually be done on a fairly quiet backstreet.    You'll pull up at the curb on the left a few yards in front of a side road, then be asked to reverse back into that side road, keeping the car a reasonable distance from the curb all the way round and -- of course -- giving due regard to any other cars which happen to appear during the maneuver.  After straightening up from the corner, you'll continue backing in a straight line for a few more yards, trying to keep at a constant distance from the curb (or "kerb" in Brit-speak). 

At least, that's how it was done 20+ years ago, and I can't see much room for changing that maneuver!   

but WHY do they make you do the reverse around a corner manouver?  i've never actually done one in real life.  come on paul... you seem to know the answer to the most random questions imigaineable.