Why you shouldn’t give up after failing the driving test

Tina Playle - Mar 28 2022 11:02AM
Why you shouldn’t give up after failing the driving test img

Failing the driving test is part of the experience of learning to drive, for most people. Although it’s common, it doesn’t make it any less disheartening. As someone who ended up passing on the third go, I’ve decided to share a few tips of my own. Hopefully they can help you take the hit and bounce right back.

Accepting the failure

The feeling of being told you’ve failed isn’t nice, and it’s okay to feel down about it. Get home, take a self-care day – personally I find eating ice cream in bed works particularly well to combat those blues. You can sulk for now, but it doesn't mean you'll never pass the driving test! In fact, the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne took 19 attempts to pass his driving test! If he can do it, so can you!

Figure out where you went wrong

The most important thing to take away from your driving test fail is the reason WHY you failed. For me, on the first go, I was rushed into taking the test too fast by a driving instructor who wasn’t necessarily suited to me. So I had to say, “thank u, next” and move on to another instructor. The second time, it was because I didn’t quite have my observations down as well as I could have. So I had to get back in the driving seat and practice it over and over until it became natural! On the third attempt, I was ready for what the test had to throw at me. Lo and behold – I passed!

Stop telling your friends your test date

Booking your driving test is extremely exciting and if you’re naïve like me, the test date may found it's way around your friendship group. Whilst the moral support is lovely on the run up to the driving test, breaking the news to several people that you actually failed is quite the opposite. Keep this one to yourself for now and surprise them with the good news when it happens!

Get behind the wheel outside of driving lessons

For me, just driving for 2 hours a week wasn’t enough. In order to really settle in the driving seat, I got out and practised with family members whenever I could. This made me feel like more of a real life driver, rather than just a learner! It did great things for my confidence. So, make sure you’re getting those hours of practice in!

Get a mock test in

Even though I became familiar with the driving test after my 3 attempts, doing mock tests with my instructor definitely helped calm my nerves. Using everything I learned in my lessons and performing them in a driving test format, helped me see where I was going wrong and what I needed to work on. On the run up to your test, ask your instructor if you can dedicate one of your lessons to a mock test!


Although it will feel like it, failing the driving test isn’t the end of the world. Like anything in life, you have to pick yourself up and try again. Remember, anything worth having never comes easily!

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