Driving and Anxiety

I felt took me way longer than it should have to pass my test, I failed three times. Basically my nerves got the better of me and I couldn't remember half the stuff I'd learnt.

My forth test was during rush hour, so not a lot of driving actually happened. I also just talked the whole time just to break the silence as the examiner was very stern looking and sounding (when he very occasionally spoke). I think I managed to out talk my nerves as this time as I actually passed.

Narrating is something that is done in advanced driving courses. Don't feel odd doing it, it is good.

It obviously requires that you can speak reasonably freely and that it is not using too much mental capacity so that start to struggle with everything else. 

It shows what you are seeing, what your decision process is and makes it a conscious thing you are actively engaged in.  It makes it easy for the examiner to know what you are doing.

I think I also had to do it when I took some flying lessons.

Riz said:

narrate what you are doing

Yes, I decided to give an out loud commentary - when I encountered unusual situations to navigate around during my driving test. 

During any car journey; it is possible to come across situations which are new to you - the examiner wants to know that you are observant, apply the Highway Code, consider risk mitigation and are not hesitant about safely actioning your solution (in a manner suitably communicated for the understanding of other road users and pedestrians).

I passed my test.

Good luck with your next driving test.

I had tons of lessons with a manual car but couldn't get on with driving at all (I was good at stalling).

I gave up but a few years later started lessons in an automatic car.

This, along with a driving instructor who specialised in disabled people (without me knowing I am disabled) proved to be the perfect combination.

I reversed into a tree on my first test (not ideal) and on my second test the same examiner said 'Well, Miss ..., you missed the tree this time' and I knew I'd passed or he wouldn't have made the joke.

This was, by-the-way, in my mid 40s.

As so many more new cars these days are automatic rather than manual, I suspect that learning to drive will become easier.

All the best.

I passed first time time. It was a long time ago, but I think I thought I had failed in the first few minutes so just relaxed and it was ok. I only had one observation, so whatever I thought at the start was wrong. You primarily need to be safe and in control.

The first time I had driven without stalling was on the driving test.

It is very scary though.

But not as scary as driving on your own the first time.

Once I passed I had no driving instructors car to use, so bought a cheap crap thing. Then the first drive on my own was to get it home on the south circular in London. I took a 2 mile detour just to avoid a tricky junction.

These days you have to know how to use a satnav as part of your theory test, I'd fail that if I had to do the test again, I've never used one and I think the only thing I'd want to know is how to turn it off. 

I haven't taken my tests yet as I have just started to drive but remember it's okay to feel anxious, especially during a test. I've heard chewing gum can help take a bit of anxiety away. Also if it helps, narrate what you are doing. It can give you reassurance but also give the Driving instructor reassurance and they know that you know what you are doing! :) Good luck :)

I failed on my first attempt, nearly caused a head on crash and then nearly got the car painted by one of them yellow line painting machines. Needless to say I was pretty anxious, I didn’t really know what to expect. Second time though I knew what to expect and because of that I felt calmer and in control. I passed in 1999, don’t know how much different it would be now though. 

I passed on my third attempt, I don't know what I did differently, I think I was more nervous than before, the examiner I had the first two times was horrible and didn't like my instructor and seemed to be on a power trip about making the test as hard as possible.