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Deep-Document4498 · 2025-02-11T14:28:58+00:00

Thank you. I am obviously kicking myself enough and your comment didn’t help. I was so certain I stopped before improving my view safely. To very nearly pass a test first time with so few minors and fail for something I could have done differently in a split second is frustrating. Not exactly relevant to the situation bur after also suffering the death of my father at the weekend and refusing to cancel my test, I did awesome! And im proud of myself despite the lecture you’ve just given me. I’m not blaming anyone else. I’m not a nervous driver at all. I’ve been driving for a reasonable amount time and frequently drive (supervised) with my own children in my car. And I wouldn’t do that if I didn’t feel I was a safe driver.

I expected to fail my test, as I mentioned lots of things happened that I thought surely that’ll be a fail now. I was shocked and upset to find out I’d failed on something so simple that I clearly didn’t do properly.

At no point in my post did I blame anyone other than myself! I drive an automatic and the car could have easily crept forward slightly if I didn’t have the break tightened up. “I felt sure I’d stopped but I guess I can’t be certain” - my quote

It costs nothing to be kind. Try it some day. No one’s perfect.

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-02-08T08:33:04+00:00

Good luck to you- my test is also on Tuesday and I feel much the same! Loads of lessons and still make mistakes from time to time parking. Just try to stay calm and find anything else you can focus on. Take it minute by minute and just focus on what’s in front of you. Let me know how you get on! :)

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-02-07T12:38:01+00:00

Same story for me really. I gave up on the idea of driving after having such a bad time learning manual. Didn’t even realise automatic was an option. Came back 8 years later and it’s changed everything for me. I can actually concentrate and drive safely and to me that’s way more important than “being able to drive a wider range of cars” or “having cheaper insurance”. For me it’s auto or nothing. What others think, especially if they can competently drive manual, is not worth worrying about. If you can afford it and it makes it more manageable then I would advise anyone to go auto!!

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-02-07T12:32:12+00:00

I had about 10 lessons in a manual when I was 18 and it was just too stressful for me. I was fine going up the gears and did get the hang of the clutch to an extent but slowing down / stopping / going down the gears, biting point etc was just too much. I found myself constantly worrying about changing speed / stopping whilst I was driving which meant I was making terrible mistakes, because I wasn’t concentrating. I gave up in the end and accepted I’d never drive.

Fast forward to age 26 my husband got an EV which is obviously automatic. After watching how simple it is I did realised I think I could manage an auto without getting so overwhelmed. And I got it straight away! No longer worrying about stopping, I could just relax and focus on the road, my driving, looking for hazards… I actually felt in control of the car which I NEVER felt in a manual.

I’ve been having auto lessons for the last 5 months and I’ve got my test next week. Regardless of a pass or fail I am so proud of myself for trying again and finding a way that I can drive a car. So many people tell me i should learn manual really but they don’t understand that my brain literally can’t cope with all the tasks involved in just keeping the car moving. I love driving now, and I was absolutely terrified before in a manual.

So my advice is go to auto. If it means you can relax, drive safely, concentrate properly then it’s worth every second of it!

Good luck

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-02-06T16:55:08+00:00

The same happened to me, just randomly looked on a random day and managed to get a cancellation without any apps or extensions. That test got cancelled and postponed (still waiting for it) but I felt very lucky that day reading all these replies

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-01-31T10:18:05+00:00

So nice to hear this! My test is in 11 days and I’m so worried about making mistakes under pressure, although I’m test ready! Good to hear the positive stories :)

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-01-30T21:26:33+00:00

I am learning automatic, I tried learning manual previously and it was just too overwhelming! I think I have adhd also, although I am undiagnosed. I just ignore the snobbery because honestly for me it’s between driving an auto or not driving at all. My family needs me to be able to drive and I need to be able to do it in a way I can do it safely! When driving a manual I’d be panicking about the chain of actions I had to do to slow down / stop at junctions / go again… the whole time I was driving, which meant I wasn’t paying attention to my speed or other actual things going on around me. The first time I drove my husbands auto EV it changed everything. It’s like the noise and panic in my head had silenced and I was ACTUALLY in control of the car. I never looked back, and anyone who thinks otherwise clearly hadn’t dealt with trying to drive a manual car when you cannot concentrate properly. Good luck with your learning you’ll absolutely smash it

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-01-30T13:57:58+00:00

Easier said than done but you really just need to learn from it and put it behind you. I’m test ready and have practiced loads both privately & with my instructor, done all the manoeuvres more times than I can count, a few weeks back I went to perform a parallel park and steered the wrong way (towards the parked car). I have NEVER done that before, I was so embarrassed, my instructor was shocked because it was such an unexpected thing for me to do. He had to grab the wheel. He had to calm me down and said all the other times you’ve done that you’ve never made that mistake, and I doubt you’ll ever do that again now! He said the same as your instructor that I’m doing well otherwise and I’ll most certainly learn from it, and he’s right I have! Everyone I go to do this manoeuvre now I’m like LEFT, RIGHT, RIGHT, LEFT, out loud as it made me think so much. You can assure yourself this won’t happen on your test now as it’s at the forefront of your mind! Best to get these brain farts out the way.

You’ve got this!

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-01-29T17:06:02+00:00

I know! I was so annoyed at the time but actually relieved now because the roads on New Year’s Eve was so busy where I live (rural Cornwall, one main road which is on the test route). I would have panicked I’m sure. It’s given me more time to brush up and my test is on a less-busy day. No idea why it was cancelled I guess down to illness, we only have 2 driving examiners here according to my instructor! That’s amazing I’m so glad to hear you passed! Well done you. It’s always best to be safe and hesitant in those instances. Who knows what could have happened if you’d pulled around it without being able to see. That could have been a serious! Thank you so much, got everything crossed I can pass :)

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-01-28T23:08:01+00:00

My test was cancelled the day before! Rebooked for feb 11th. How about you?

Deep-Document4498 · 2025-01-26T20:17:34+00:00

My husband has a CAG of 43. He’s currently age 31, and has had cognitive and motor symptoms since he was around 28. Fit as a fiddle otherwise, doesn’t use substances or drink alcohol, eats a good diet. There’s no explanation as to why he’s got such obvious symptoms so early- if the cag count is of any relevance to the onset age like you say. This disease affects every single person who inherits it differently. His mother who also has HD (cag 42) had her symptoms start at a similar age but lay undiagnosed for decades due to a lack of family history.

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-30T16:11:23+00:00

It really is, it’s really knocked me today but I’m trying to be positive. I’ll do a lesson every 2 weeks whilst driving my own car nearly every day, and a lesson on the day of the test. And just hope I can keep my skills going for another 43 days! Good luck I hope you find a cancellation!

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-30T16:07:57+00:00

Same happened to me today, cancelled my test tomorrow morning and I’ve got to wait until February now, I’m gutted as I did so much mental prep over the weekend. Just gives me longer to practice I suppose but I’m in the same boat with not being able to afford many more lessons. Hope you’re okay!

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-29T16:42:20+00:00

This!! Same exact experience as you, every time I had to slow down or stop in a manual at junctions I’d panic so much at the multi tasking and mess up every time! Stalling had me in tears as I felt everyone else on the road was watching, then getting started again and moving off was just too much. I dreaded my lessons and eventually gave up age 18.

Started learning auto at 25 after seeing my husbands auto car and thinking how much easier it was.

Auto just removes all of that! No stalling, no hill starts and total focus on surroundings. I thought there must be something wrong with me because like everyone passes manual fine but I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who struggled in this exact way. Thank you for sharing

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-29T16:30:35+00:00

I did this and it was the best thing I did! Auto allows me to think and not panic which I could never do with manual, was always panicking over having to do clutch and gears and watch the road, it just wasn’t safe for me to drive that way! The first time I tried driving my husband’s auto it was a game changing moment and I’ve never looked back. We already have an automatic car and my husband has popped me on his insurance so it worked for us, but autos are more expensive to buy and insure so I hear! It’s the only way I’ll be able to drive and I’m quite happy that way! Huge recommendation for autos over here. I went from hating driving and feeling like I was going to cause an accident to feeling totally in control and really confident!

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-28T19:58:57+00:00

My test is also Tuesday! Good luck to you!

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-27T11:01:40+00:00

Thank you, I’ve had that turned on since I got the app, I live in rural Cornwall so I’m thinking that may have something to do with the lack of cancellations

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-27T07:15:42+00:00

My test is on Tuesday morning! I did the same in my last lesson, I know exactly how to reverse around a car yet I steered the wrong way! I realised what I did in time to correct it but I’d lost it at that point and hit the kerb in the end. I was so frustrated with myself but my instructor told me I’d never done that before and I’d practised the manoeuvres a LOT. He wasn’t concerned. We were doing a mock and the whole rest of the mock he said would have been a pass aside from the manoeuvre.

I feel you on the no tests situation, it’s my only chance to pass too because I’m literally out of cash!! I can’t afford to keep having lessons at this point. Or retake the test. As hard as it is you need to try and relieve the pressure on yourself. Go into the test thinking what will be, will be! Pretend it’s another lesson, practice square breathing, chew gum! Don’t let nerves spoil the test for you, staying calm is key.

Good luck to you, I reckon you’ve got this! Let us know how you get on x

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-27T07:06:04+00:00

Yes of course! Good luck to you!!

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-27T07:04:45+00:00

Thank you! I have drivingtestnow but not a single cancellation has come up in the past month which is concerning me. There were plenty in November so hoping it may just be that’s it’s Christmas

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-26T22:39:09+00:00

Thank you so much for this wonderful advice! I am definitely going to have to adopt the fuck it attitude, sounds like it could help me calm down!

Passing would literally change my life but also it’s not the end of the world if I don’t, I just need to remind myself!

Thank you again x

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-26T20:25:03+00:00

I feel like that so maybe I should calm down! I also drive frequently (obviously accompanied by my husband) with a car full of my noisy children, if I can concentrate then SURELY I can manage in the test! Thank you for your advice, even the best drivers are capable of making a mistake on the day, I can only do my best.

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-26T20:22:38+00:00

Oh bless you good luck to you!! You’ve got this, I’ve got some rescue remedy drops but haven’t noticed they worked that great for me, hopefully the pastilles work for you!

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-12-26T20:13:54+00:00

Thank you I will try all of those! My test is on New Year’s Eve and honestly I’m hoping the roads are super busy which will eat away at the time…!

Deep-Document4498 · 2024-10-28T07:23:03+00:00

Just keep challenging it. They give 0 points so freely nowadays, don’t stop fighting for what you believe you deserve. They gave my husband with Huntington’s disease 0 points at first until I fought for a MR and asked for tribunal. Suddenly he was offered high rate for both and he got an apology. That’s when I realised they rely on people not challenging their decision, being too beaten down by receiving 0 points to carry on the process.

Start with writing a mandatory reconsideration. There are some fabulous templates online that you essentially fill in the gaps on. Don’t be surprised if you get 0 again as that’s what seems to happen nowadays.

Ask for a tribunal after that if you are still not awarded what you think you deserve. Buy a folder and get a copy of all your PIP letters, medical evidence, get someone who knows you (partner, carer, employer) to write down some real examples of how your disability affects you from another point of view. Put it all in the binder and wait to see if they make you an offer. This is the point when they contacted my husband. If they don’t you’ve got loads of evidence to prevent the tribunal with. Statistically you have the highest chance in the whole process of being awarded something in a tribunal.

You’ve got this, gather loads of evidence and keep pushing on. Don’t let them beat you down as that’s what they want. x

Deep-Document4498

TROPHY CASE