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

Excellent job, Jules! Waft the good-driving vibes my way -- I'm scheduled for January 27.

Most awesome, Jewlz!  Well done and congrats   

Thanks so much everyone!

Stoatula and Hollyberry, you two are going to do great! Just hang in there and try not to let your nerves get the best of you.  Now if the snow and ice would melt a little so I can exercise my new freedom, that would rock! 

BLEURG.  Today was the fateful day and the result is FAIL.  Or shall I say, not passed 

I'm OK with it I guess.  I'm really sick of the way that driving lessons and anxiety over the test has hijacked my life over the last few months.

Two majors.  One, not yielding the right of way and one, not checking mirrors. 
12! minors.  Yea, not so good.   

Part of me wants to just forget about it until a few months from now, because I really don't NEED to drive.  Part of me things I should charge on and try again ASAP.

Hopefully Stoatula and everyone else have been more successful than I!   

Awww, sorry to hear that, Holly.  I think you should just jump right back in, though! My DH failed his first time, booked again at the first available opening and tried again and passed! Now that you know exactly what to expect, I am sure you will do it the next time. Go for it! 

Awww, sorry to hear that, Holly.  I think you should just jump right back in, though! My DH failed his first time, booked again at the first available opening and tried again and passed! Now that you know exactly what to expect, I am sure you will do it the next time. Go for it! 

Thanks Jewlz.     I'm sure    I will do better the next time.  I hope I can reduce my minors, and avoid all majors.   

According to the DSA site, the first available is the end of April!! 11 weeks from now. 

I'm not sure if I am supposed to call them directly, or if I get precedence because I'm a re-tester???

Awww, that's too bad.  You're not alone! My DH failed THREE times before he got his (oh boy, anxiety issues).  I agree with Jewlz! Get right back in there and now you've got EXPERIENCE, so it's sure to go better.
Good luck.

Awww, that's too bad.  You're not alone! My DH failed THREE times before he got his (oh boy, anxiety issues). 

Isn't it practically standard that people fail at least once before they qualify? Even perfectly smart, alert, nice people who seem to know what they're doing.
Yes, good luck next time.

Thanks Jennie and BostonDiner.   

Isn't it practically standard that people fail at least once before they qualify? Even perfectly smart, alert, nice people who seem to know what they're doing.

I wouldn't say it's standard but it is a pedantically tough challenge.

One MUST follow the methods that are taught. Some of the fail points seem dumb and even dumber if you have driven before.

HOLLY - make sure you over emphasise your head movements when checking mirrors. When I took mine, the examiner could only fault me for not checking mirrors. I really wanted to give him a piece of my mind as I am and always have been an avid mirror user and to be told this really got my goat. I move my eyes, not my head.  

Don't worry about the not passes. Don't let it get to you. It is part and parcel of the UK driving process.

HOLLY - make sure you over emphasise your head movements when checking mirrors.

Yep. I got several minors for this, a few of which could've been majors and caused me to fail with a different examiner. I was lucky that my examiner was so nice. But definitely make over-exaggerated head movements and CONSTANTLY check your mirrors before every move you make and especially as you pull away from the kerb (and signal!) - and make sure you over-exaggerate your movements when looking around each side and out the back window before you pull away, as well. But at the same time, try not to be too hesitant when entering roundabouts or things like that. It's a pain, but once you have passed the test, you can do what you like, so focus during those 40 minutes and make them count! 

Erk! Have a lesson scheduled for 3 pm and I'm blinking terrified!  Haven't driven on a road in nearly five years and have been having panic attacks

Erk! Have a lesson scheduled for 3 pm and I'm blinking terrified!  Haven't driven on a road in nearly five years and have been having panic attacks

Good luck! I burst into tears immediately after my first lesson (and this was after taking a beta-blocker so I didn't cry DURING the lesson).  It *does* get better. And just think, soon you'll be able to drive on your own!

Erk! Have a lesson scheduled for 3 pm and I'm blinking terrified!  Haven't driven on a road in nearly five years and have been having panic attacks

Don't worry! You will be just fine. The examiner will be there and they usually have a brake on their side so you can't screw up too badly.  

Totally agree - I had my second lesson this past Sunday, and it was SO much better than the first!  I even managed to reverse around a corner without feeling like breaking down from the stress.  It gets better - just stick with it!