The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!

Yep I think the worst thing about meeting the test "requirements" for a pass is having to do every little thing "their" way instead of driving the way you want to and always have with no issues.

I guess the best we can do is look forward to the day we pass, after which we can all go back to all those bad habits which happen to work just fine!!

I plan NEVER to back around a corner (at least not in hubbie's stupid all around blind spot Saab convertible)!!!  Hand brake?  Whazzat?   

I failed my practical.

I only made four faults, all not serious except one -- and that was on a roundabout.

GODDAMN INFERNAL FREAKING ROUNDABOUTS. . . .

I'm so upset. I got fired last week from a live-in job, am working out notice, and now have just three weeks to find a job, find a place to live, and take another drivign test before my US licence is no longer legal in late July.

How am I going to juggle all this. I feel completely demoralized.

Twenty years ago I passed my US test with one minor fault mark and was my instructor's highest scoring pass. What the hell happened?(well, a big freaking busy roundabout, for one thing.....)

I failed my practical.

I only made four faults, all not serious except one -- and that was on a roundabout.

GODDAMN INFERNAL FREAKING ROUNDABOUTS. . . .

I'm so upset. I got fired last week from a live-in job, am working out notice, and now have just three weeks to find a job, find a place to live, and take another drivign test before my US licence is no longer legal in late July.

How am I going to juggle all this. I feel completely demoralized.

Twenty years ago I passed my US test with one minor fault mark and was my instructor's highest scoring pass. What the hell happened?(well, a big freaking busy roundabout, for one thing.....)

Sorry to hear you failed - I hope you manage to take the test again soon .

You did pretty well to only get 3 minor faults (plus the 1 major fault), though - the tests have got much harder to pass in the last 20 years. My first test, I got about 15 minors and 3 major faults ( - I was so not prepared for it), my second test I only got 3 minors, but failed on 2 majors and I finally passed on my 3rd test with 6 minor faults (which I was very pleased with).

Thanks ksand; I'll now be practically living on the DSA website, trawling for cancellations!

When I checked earlier, the soonest they had was July 6, out of ten different test centres! Egads.

Lawdy your journey was a hard one and I'm glad you got through in the end; they ARE tough tests over here, plus, the elements that are just not a factor in the US, such as roundabouts, are such a challenge when one hasn't dealt with them every day of your life, even as a passenger -- yikes.

I could just kick myself. To get three minors with just the one major (this is starting to sound like musical chords, lol) I could just spit with frustration.  :\\\'(

I'm sorry to hear you failed.  Better luck next time!

Midnight Blue:  Just got back from Corsica and was really bummed to hear you didn't make it the first time.  But if you can get another test soon, I just know you'll do it the next time.  Keep the faith.  I'll keep sending you the good vibes. 

Midnight Blue:  Just got back from Corsica and was really bummed to hear you didn't make it the first time.  But if you can get another test soon, I just know you'll do it the next time.  Keep the faith.  I'll keep sending you the good vibes. 

Aw thanks, and to Tin, too. I haven't had a chance to book another test -- desperately lookng for a flat and a job right now. A lot on my plate. The driving is going to have to go out the window until who knows when, now. 

Midnight:  Good vibes on all 3 counts.  You do have a lot on your plate...but not insurmountable. 

I had my first driving lesson last week, which I thought went pretty ok. I was excited to go to the next one as it seemed to be going well. Today I went to the same spot (not many cars around) with my husband to practice and I did terrible. Stalled in front of a bus! Actually, two times, because I was panicking about what I'd done. It really shook my confidence and I now feel terrible about it I think it might be wise to get a few more lessons in before "practicing" any more. argh!

Sorry, I just needed to vent to people that understood what I was going through.

I had my first driving lesson last week, which I thought went pretty ok. I was excited to go to the next one as it seemed to be going well. Today I went to the same spot (not many cars around) with my husband to practice and I did terrible. Stalled in front of a bus! Actually, two times, because I was panicking about what I'd done. It really shook my confidence and I now feel terrible about it I think it might be wise to get a few more lessons in before "practicing" any more. argh!

Sorry, I just needed to vent to people that understood what I was going through.

That sounds like a real horror show!  I didn't have anything that bad happen but I got so freaked out after 3 lessons (a year and a half ago) that I had a melt down and decided not to drive again...well here I am over a year later, taking lessons again.  I don't like it but it's been gradually a bit better each time.  I hope you won't quit.  It will get better each time you go out.  Perhaps a good idea to find quiet times and untrafficked areas to practice in for a while till you get your confidence back.  Good luck!!!

Midnight:  Good vibes on all 3 counts.  You do have a lot on your plate...but not insurmountable. 

Aw, thanks N, and I love the lucky clover!

I had my first driving lesson last week, which I thought went pretty ok. I was excited to go to the next one as it seemed to be going well. Today I went to the same spot (not many cars around) with my husband to practice and I did terrible. Stalled in front of a bus! Actually, two times, because I was panicking about what I'd done. It really shook my confidence and I now feel terrible about it I think it might be wise to get a few more lessons in before "practicing" any more. argh!

Sorry, I just needed to vent to people that understood what I was going through.

Keep on, don't let yourself get set back. My instructor always said mentall move on as you drive, whether you've done something well or something went askew, leave it behind and focus on the next moment. Hard to do but it does help you recover faster mentally and not start getting into additional scary moments or doing something off-- and I second keeping on going out and it will get better every time.

Ya, I'll keep going - I just think I need I more time in the car withmy teacher before "practising" again. I'd only had the one lesson - it was a really quiet area I think I just need her around a bit longer. My husband was super patient but I think I was frustrating him - might be easier to let the teacher teach me.

Ya, I'll keep going - I just think I need I more time in the car withmy teacher before "practising" again. I'd only had the one lesson - it was a really quiet area I think I just need her around a bit longer. My husband was super patient but I think I was frustrating him - might be easier to let the teacher teach me.

Definitely let the teacher teach you...leave hubby at home until you're more confident.  However well intentioned he is, loved ones aren't the best people to teach you to drive.   

Too true, especially in his car

Too true, especially in his car

Amen to that!  I'm driving hubbie's Saab (with practically no visbility through the rear window...hate it...miss my Honda CRV...sold when I moved here)...sigh... :\\\'(