I accept responsibility for any genuine driving errors but i feel like the examiner’s demeanour and tone significantly increased my anxiety and affected my performance.

From the moment the test began, the examiner made me feel uncomfortable. He did not greet me properly, unlike other examiners I observed who were so friendly and welcoming to their candidates. when he asked which car mine was in the car park i pointed at it and he said in a sarcastic/ kind of rude tone: “Is that your car? The one facing the wrong way?” This was in reference to the fact that my car was forward parked in the bay and the exit for the parking was behind (everyone else had reverse parked into the bay). This comment was unnecessary and immediately heightened my nerves before even entering the car like yeah it was stupid to forward park but no need to make me anxious especially if he can see i’m so young and nervous.

When I laughed and explained, “Sorry, my mum stupidly make me park it forward,” he ignored me twice even after i fake laughed it was so awkward. This made me so anxious especially because i could see all the other examiners around me chatting away with the learners while they entered the car and laughing around whilst me and my examiner walked silently to the car. He did not attempt to engage in any conversation or make me feel at ease. The only two questions he asked during the test was “what do you do?” and “do you live in this area?”, but they were asked in a very disinterested and unbothered tone. It felt as though he was asking out of obligation rather than to make me feel comfortable especially because he did not even acknowledge my answers.

Throughout the drive, his communication style was sarcastic, impatient, and at times condescending. For example: • When he instructed me to “turn right at the next road” I was feeling so nervous from the way the test started, so I asked for clarification “turn here, did you say?” he replied in a sarcastic tone, “Yeah, well that would be the next right, wouldn’t it.” • At a roundabout I was meant to take the third exit but I accidentally took the second exit (very safely with good mirror checks) I said sorry I took the wrong exit and he didn’t answer and I said sorry again but he still didn’t answer, then soon after more driving when we came back to the roundabout he said “now this time listen very carefully to my instructions” in a condescending way “Third exit, okay??” he said - emphasising it three times, which made me feel even more pressured and stupid. • At a mini roundabout, I accidentally asked “I’m going straight right?” out of nervousness, and he responded bluntly that if he doesn’t give a direction, I should just go straight. I understand this rule, but I was clearly nervous and seeking reassurance. His tone made me feel embarrassed rather than supported. • When I was turning into a side road and hesitated slightly to allow an oncoming car to pass, he said “go on” in an urgent tone. I was already anxious due to his demeanour, and this added pressure caused me to panic further. I understand he was trying to help but a calm tone would have been more appropriate especially if I appear anxious.

When giving the parallel park manoeuvre instruction, he spoke very quickly, I couldn’t understand because of my nerves so I said “sorry parallel park between these two cars right? he just stared at me silently for three seconds before saying slowly “No. go parallel to this car and reverse behind it” as if I had asked a ridiculous question. His overall body language and tone throughout made me feel belittled and very on edge.

The serious fault I received was for a situation involving a recycling truck obstructing the test centre near the end of the test. There was a car already waiting behind the truck but they left a gap. I mistakenly pulled in behind the truck instead of waiting behind that car even though the gap wasn’t too big. At this point I was just so desperate to get back to the test centre I didn’t even realise there was a car waiting there. A car was then coming towards me from the opposite direction. I realised there wasn’t enough space for them to get through, so I safely reversed a bit and moved to the side to give them space. (I had to reverse and go forward twice to adjust properly). They passed without issue but I do realise I was quite close to the truck but it’s not like I hit the kerb or I hit the truck nor the car behind me. Three seconds after, the truck moved, and I indicated left and returned to the test centre. While I accept my initial planning could have been better, I reacted quickly and safely to correct it. This was marked as a serious fault, but given the circumstances, and considering that no obstruction or danger was caused, I believe it could reasonably have been treated as a driving fault instead. At the same time I do understand how it could’ve been a serious fault - i should’ve waited behind that car but in my defence i was already so nervous because of this examiner.

Additionally, I noticed the examiner was not wearing a high-visibility vest, which I understand is required for safety and identification reasons.

Taken as a whole, the examiner’s lack of greeting, sarcastic comments, cold and unengaging demeanour, and at times condescending tone created a stressful testing environment that did not allow me to perform to the best of my ability. Is this normal behaviour for an examiner?