Driving

At my first class, the instructor told me. You're not in the car, you are the car. You have to feel part of the car, feel the dimensions, the back and front, the right side. And then you can even do a backslide and a 90-degree angle. 

My engine got too hot, last night. But water was added, this morning, and I was told to check for fluid levels. 

After the day, I had, yesterday. I was about to combust. 

Hi Triniti. I'm very sorry to hear of your accident. Hopefully not a driving one! Whatever it was, 'life changing' sounds pretty serious, so it's good that you're now feeling up to coming back on here and reconnecting with the community. Hope things improve for you - one day at a time and all that.

Hello. Please accept my apologies for not replying after all your kind and helpful responses. I was involved in a accident which is why I haven't been back until now. A few life changing things occured from it so I'm trying to adjust to all that.

Thank you for your replies. Look forward to seeing you all round the community.

I think the anxiety needs to be addressed. By cost the test I guess you mean you got in a panic and made mistakes. Don't be hard on yourself, it takes time to pass the test for a lot of people. Firstly you need to get that anxiety seen to.

Oh and don't do the online thing. If you were caught you'd be in a lot of trouble. Definitely not worth that. Take your time. You can do this.

How did it cost you the test? They can’t fail you for being anxious, only if you make mistakes. 
I do drive, but only when I have to, like to work or to the dr, dentist etc. I rarely go across town, let alone out of it! I drove a bit farther when I was younger. It seems that I now realise I can’t drive S well as listen to instructions, be that a person, or a sat nav. Couple that with my directional problems, and it makes matters quite stressful. I was able to avoid driving altogether whilst I was married. Was forced to start after the split.

Do keep trying - most people require a few goes I think. For me, it was three. And I'm a very anxious person, so it is possible! I'm driving 21 years now, and I still get anxious when navigating new routes, especially in the dark. Many drivers exceed the speed limit constantly and expect you to do the same (tailgating even though there's meant to be a 2-second gap minimum), so holding your nerve about staying on the speed limit is crucial. I've only ever had one serious road rage encounter (beyond blared horns and lip-reading swearing in the rear-view) where someone tried to get into my car to beat me up - that left me pretty shaken. Otherwise, it's such a convenient option, driving - a little protective bubble to go about in, Gary Numan style! Hope all goes well in time with the test, I'm sure you'll get there.

Defensive driving is essential, even here in urban-land.

You can't buy a legal licence online I'm afraid.  If you were ever stopped, you'd be prosecuted for not having a licence, and therefore no insurance ('cos that depends on you having a legitimate licence) and possibly fraud.  I used to run a road traffic processing dept. for the Police.

I think you need an effective way to manage the anxiety in the test.  Can the test centre help with any reasonable adjustments?

I drive constantly, coming from a rural area, and it's like a Warzone at times. 

Other drivers show no mercy; especially when coming home from work.