Unsuccessful on 3rd attempt
Hi, I've been following this group for a while now and thought it's time to share my experience and guess maybe look for a little reassurance. This was my third attempt today and I'm feeling so defeated 😔
The test was at 7.03, good route, examiner was lovely. The drive went so well until halfway through when joining the dual carriageway on a double-lane slip road I moved across too early over a solid white line. I just can't stop kicking myself... knew as soon as the front wheel went over I'd messed it up. Such a stupid mistake and with only 1 minor it feels so wasted. Kept calm and, whilst I know absolutely how important lane discipline is, just hoped if nothing else went wrong it might be okay as no other traffic was around, but no. The examiner was so lovely the whole drive, at the end she said she was so disappointed to have to fail me and even if I'd gone over the line slightly later she might have been able to let it slide 😞 I really thought I might make it this time I'm so disappointed and so sorry for my instructor.
My first test I was so nervous and failed for something even more stupid. Had to stop at a set of lights on a stupidly steep hill... in the panic somehow I went into third and didn't realise. Of course on moving off the car stalled badly and I stupidly never thought to check the gear and just thought I couldn't get the hill start right... after a couple tries the car behind went to move round and the examiner asked me to check the gear 😳 other than that had a couple minor faults. Was obviously disappointed to fail for something so ridiculously stupid but thought okay it was only the first attempt I'll be good next time.
The second test was almost perfect, just 1 minor for following distance, until I stuffed it in a B&Q car park. Went too tight around the corner and clipped the kerb... in my head that was an instant fail and I was so panicked by it I then really messed up a forward bay park. I had to correct it and reversed out way too quickly so ended up with two serious. Absolutely gutted as again examiner was so lovely and commented how well the overall drive was... my instructor inadvertently made it worse by referencing a former student who did exactly the same on the same kerb but was passed given the rest of the drive, so had I kept calm might have been okay 😔 But still thought okay, third time lucky...
After the third attempt today I'm so so deflated. I've had three decent tests each with the exception of one stupid mistake now. My instructor's putting on a brave face but I feel I'm letting him down more than anyone as I know and he knows I'm absolutely ready for the test and still find a way each time to blow it. I've not told anyone other than my partner each time and it's the defeat in her eyes when I get back each time that gets me. They both say it's okay have another go but honestly even if I did pass now it would be hard to see it as an achievement. There's nothing my instructor can do in a sense as all the things I've failed for I KNOW are wrong.
Have booked another test for September and will hopefully try and move forward... this test today was a godsend I just happened to be on the DVSA website one evening after the last attempt and a cancellation slot for three weeks time popped up! Sure I won't get that lucky again, and my instructor's unsure if any of the apps will work after the 12th. It just feels like a journey that's never going to end... maybe it will be alright in the end but now it's just so hard to keep going. And then I can't escape the worry of another test and what I'll find to do then...
Sorry for the long post and sounding so negative... it's helped a lot to write my thoughts down and if anybody's got any advice or stories to share that might lift the mood a bit I'd really appreciate that.
Thank you 😊😊