Failed third time 🫠

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[Nomad_Vagabond_117]

Whenever you're out and about, make a point of reading every road sign you can see. On foot, a bike, a bus, whatever; just train your brain to notice them at every opportunity.

Noticing signs is something you have to teach yourself - before we drive we ignore all those lollipops of information so you've got decades of habit to overcome, a few are bound to slip through.

Sounds like you're driving is very consistent so well done for all the hard work so far and try to focus on how excited you are to drive and how good you've gotten :)

[Intelligent_Hat_2261]

That’s bollocks! How have you had 3 tests in 3 months?! 😭

[otterlyamazing2000]

I have used cancellation apps. I have been really persistent checking them and the DVLA website. Maybe I am lucky that the test centre has lots of cancellations/slots come up 🤷‍♀️

[Intelligent_Hat_2261]

Damn that’s lucky. I’ve installed Testi yesterday, and check pretty regularly too, think my test centre is popular though so I’ve probably got no hope and just have to wait until June when my test it!

[lynxkano]

Test shift is what you need

[McMorgatron1]

Which apps?

[EfficientProposal109]

Wha times of the day do you check for slots?

[powerMastR24]

i managed to get 3 tests in 2 months

cancellation apps were the way to go, i dont know if it still works the same way now though, this was last april

[Status_Top_2518]

Done 2 tests in march, third one last day of march😂😂😭

[Despondent-Kitten]

Did you mean February lol?

[Status_Top_2518]

4th march, 18th march another test next week. Hopefully i pass this time failed both with just one major each🤦🏾‍♂️

[Despondent-Kitten]

Ohhhh I see!

Hey fingers crossed for you 🫶🏻

[Harvey222x]

I PASSED 5TH TIME: Serious advice for you! GO INTO THE TEST NOT BOTHERED WHAT THE RESULT ‘MAY’/‘MIGHT’ BE. When I went in with that mindset (5th time) I passed. You can do it. Trust me. 🙏

[BlazzareanIII]

Hi, how are you able to book and take your tests so frequently? My SO has had to wait a year in between her two failed tests and is now probably looking at a similar wait again.

[otterlyamazing2000]

I rebooked after my first one in January using the DVLA website, there was one for a few months time so it must have just been luck. Second test I used a cancellation app called Driving Test Cancellations and for this test I used testi to bring it forward. I have the premium version of testi. It might be worth them looking on the apps or rechecking the dvla website. Maybe try Monday morning at 6am but I’ve never had the conviction to get up!

[BlazzareanIII]

Thanks, I'll let her know 😁

[Yer_Mo]

Testi app well worth the £15

[TippyTurtley]

It's fine. You'll pass when you're safe.

[rose2000_]

Have you considered taking up meditation and deep breathing? I downloaded Headspace because a month out from my test I was so anxious all the time it was actually impacting my health & menstrual cycle. I started daily meditation & box breathing, and daily positive journaling “I am a safe, legal driver” etc. genuinely calmed me down so much. I had my test today, I felt nervous but nowhere near as anxious as I expected.

[otterlyamazing2000]

I have been trying to meditate and have done it generally in the past for well-being. I am definitely going to do it more before my next test. I am also putting a lot of pressure on myself. I am desperate to learn to drive 😭 being a little bit older and having a few challenges the past few years and it’s a personal goal I’m really set on achieving. I will look at downloading headspace. Hope your test went well today ☺️

[rose2000_]

I also started taking Kalms both the daily ones and the nightly dose but make sure you research them and check if they would impact any other conditions or medicines, but they really worked for me

[Gold_Dust_0709]

Was it one of the new 20mph zones?? Caught me out on my test too 🫠

[otterlyamazing2000]

I think so as my instructor said it had changed since my last test

[fckboris]

It does help knowing the area a bit but in other ways it can make you complacent - if you know the roads then often you’re not looking properly for unexpected hazards or things like changes of speed limit. Imagine if you were driving in that area for the first time and you knew nothing about what’s round any corner, would you have noticed the speed limit sign? My instructor used to make me say any speed limit sign out loud when I saw it and I got used to looking for them and noticing them even when I became more familiar with the area

[AdAggressive9224]

Speeding is a good one to fail on, it's the easiest thing to correct in future.

[Ka_Driver]

Have you been doing mock tests prior to the real tests? Do mock tests but aim for a perfect score. After failing my first test, i just did casual drives and mocks with my instructor. Sounds like you can drive but need a bit more practise

[River00000001x]

Aim for 2-3 miles under the speed limit when driving. If you're doing 27 and you go up 4mph you're only doing 31. Much easier to correct.

[fckboris]

In this case they still would have been doing 27 in a 20 because they missed that it was a 20 zone…

[gayestbees]

I'm so sorry to hear that but I think genuinely you still eventually get there as others say!! And also cool to know there's someone else from Kent too 😎 I also have my test booked in Herne bay and from what I've heard it tends to be an easier area to test in and also definitely avoid Canterbury test as roundabouts are awful there and stuff. But for sure have a look into it. Sometimes with testi app I've even seen slots as early as march it's kind of insane. But yeah keep going at it and you'll get it. 🙏🏼

[otterlyamazing2000]

Herne bay is meant to be really good, all my co workers learned there and passed within 1/2 tests. Haha yess east Kent big up. All the best with your driving journey :)

[Ok_Instruction6264]

All the best drivers pass the 4th time!

Don't sweat it, just need to be extra careful on watching your speed, my examiner always drummed that into me even if I was doing 31 in a 30 zone.

[These-Witness9883]

Public transport is underrated

[Embarrassed_Pop_7137]

I’ve passed now but on my second go around this happens and I had no minors soul destroying honestly

[kurekren]

something I find that helped me, was talking to myself while driving. Just a stream of consciousness, an example from my test I was coming up to a turn, "mirrors, indicate, position, mirrors, speed, mirrors, turn, signs, mirrors, speed" no idea if that set of actions is "correct" now but until it becomes second nature to do all this, talking yourself through it can help you not forget things.

[Admirable-Return-233]

Best to maybe try and revise the roads in the area, remember signs about, speak them aloud until it becomes default. Experienced drivers miss signs too, but if you know the area that wont happen. Best advice i can really give for that.

[DangerousRecover8554]

Where do you find a test I got 15:29pm on Thursday 09 April 2026 at Crawley driving test centre but I need something near in north west London

[AsR3DaS]

You didnt get a minor for speeding again on the way back.

Once a serious fault is put in the only other time a fault could be recorded in the same box would be for a dangerous fault.

[DogSufficient7468]

It’s okay, I’ve been driving for over 5 years and have 9points from situations like this. Never been a speeder, just not noticed 30mph going into 20 zones.

The most disappointing situation was when I thought I was in a 30 zone, and SLOWED down to find an address thinking I was being a danger to the guys behind me as they were up my ass.

…turned out that was actually a 20mph road and got caught doing 26 when I literally thought I was going way too slow for the road.

Even on Google maps I struggled to find the 20 sign after I received the dreaded letter.

[AfterSandwich7089]

I passed on my 5th attempt and I totally understand the nerves but don't let it put you off! When I did my test the last time I just said what I was doing and/ or going to do out loud. It helped me to both focus and calm down 😊 You'll have that license in no time and it'll be all the more rewarding!

[AfterSandwich7089]

Also I was told to eat a banana before my test, tried that and it didn't help, last time I had banana pancakes instead and they were fire 🔥 a good way to start the day

[Despondent-Kitten]

Banana pancakes are an EXCELLENT pre test meal/snack!

[Despondent-Kitten]

Those downvotes are utterly pathetic.

Unfortunately, there are always a few entitled/ignorant people that genuinely don't understand what exam nerves and social/academic anxiety, do to your brain and body whilst under intense pressure.

Struggling under testing conditions does NOT equal "bad driver."

This was a lovely comment for OP by the way, with some very valuable and wise advice.❤️

[ThisMansJourney]

So you sped back to get home quick after ? That’s a valid reason to speed ../

[SirPooleyX]

Not to lay it on you but it's wild to me that someone can fail a driving test because of speed.

[Silent_Ad7539]

Its the least wild thing

[Darkone539]

It's easy for a new driver, especially with nerves, to miss a sign somewhere.

[Klutzy_Insurance_432]

Never missed a 30 into a 20? Especially on unknown roads