So I failed my driving test...

[faerieevaH]

I think I was 26 when I managed to get my drivers licence in Belgium. Most horrible time thing I had to do in my life. Took me 7 or so tries, and then I got it because the examinator was generous.... Written part was fine, but the road test... *shudders* I just go completely and utterly blank when there is an instructor sitting beside me. I don't know what to do with the pedals, I don't remember what direction to turn the wheel during manoeuvers, I just... BLANK.


I never had an accident but despite having a Belgian and an international licence, I need to do the driving test again to get an American licence. (Even though theoretically, I can actually drive solo with my Belgian licence here, go figure...)
Anyhow, any and all prayers are apreciated. This is the one thing in my life that I am a complete failure at (and that I need to do. *LOL* I would probably also be a complete failure at trying to teach advanced mathematics or something but I am smart enough not to TRY that.) and it EATS at me.

My beloved husband just says that it's okay and that I have to keep trying but each failure just brings me deeper and deeper into a spiral of fear and panic. Tomorrow I am going to try again and I am already nervous. The examinator was very kind. It's not as if she did something to make me nervous, but every since I had my first driving lesson at 18 (With an idiot who didn't get the fact that driving and hand eye coordination did not come natural to everyone) I start to blank when there is an official driving instructor of examinator next to me.
I can drive well enough. I drive here. I drove in the narrow streets of Antwerp. I just can't do that test without my mind going haywire on me.

 

[Rebekka]

Praying for you, Eva!

I know the feeling - I'm too scared to even try. I don't have a driver's licence. (I hope this makes you feel better - I am a much, much bigger failure than you are! And you CAN drive!)

Good luck!

 

[MikeK]

When I get nervous about something, I find I perform a little better if I have a few drinks first to allow my nerves to settle. Try that.

JK.

I'm sorry, that does sound very frustrating. My prayers that a sense of calm comes over you next time you take the test and that you ace it. Have you tried praying for calm durring the test and taking slow, deliberate, deep breaths?

 

[colleen]

Take comfort in that fact that you are way farther along with driving than I am with it But, I completely understand what you mean about the nerves.

 

[Mom2Alex]

I think I was 26 when I managed to get my drivers licence in Belgium. Most horrible time thing I had to do in my life. Took me 7 or so tries, and then I got it because the examinator was generous.... Written part was fine, but the road test... *shudders* I just go completely and utterly blank when there is an instructor sitting beside me. I don't know what to do with the pedals, I don't remember what direction to turn the wheel during manoeuvers, I just... BLANK.


I never had an accident but despite having a Belgian and an international licence, I need to do the driving test again to get an American licence. (Even though theoretically, I can actually drive solo with my Belgian licence here, go figure...)
Anyhow, any and all prayers are apreciated. This is the one thing in my life that I am a complete failure at (and that I need to do. *LOL* I would probably also be a complete failure at trying to teach advanced mathematics or something but I am smart enough not to TRY that.) and it EATS at me.

My beloved husband just says that it's okay and that I have to keep trying but each failure just brings me deeper and deeper into a spiral of fear and panic. Tomorrow I am going to try again and I am already nervous. The examinator was very kind. It's not as if she did something to make me nervous, but every since I had my first driving lesson at 18 (With an idiot who didn't get the fact that driving and hand eye coordination did not come natural to everyone) I start to blank when there is an official driving instructor of examinator next to me.
I can drive well enough. I drive here. I drove in the narrow streets of Antwerp. I just can't do that test without my mind going haywire on me.

Pray, pray and keep praying. Ask God to go along with you on your test. Trust in Him. You WILL do fine. Remember, there is no use for a driver's license in heaven - God does ALL of the driving.

 

[faithfulchild]

Eva...People telling you to pray reminded me of when our daughter took her Class 1 for driving a semi. She aced the written. THEN for the driving, she knew my deep faith and, belief in the saints, so she asked me for my medals put them on a big safty pin and put the pin on her shoe lace. She drove the semi and past her drivers first try.

Put all your fear and nervousness into the hands of God, trust in the Holy Spirit for guidance tomorrow...

 

[plainswolf]

Perhaps Bill could take you to a smaller town or burb and let you practice there? Small town driving is SO MUCH easier than anything else. Or else out on the rural roads. My best friend married a gal from the Philippines and they actually went to a much smaller town for her to practice and test in and she finally passed. But fear not, Eva, it just takes lots of practice, that's all.

It might also help to get to know the route they will have you drive for the driving part of the test, that's what I did with my daughter. But out here it's easy on the rural roads, almost no traffic and a very wide road.

But praying for you also!

+Mark

 

[Michie]

Prayers Eva.

You might look into investing in a driving instructor before taking your next test.

It might help get you used to the instructor thing & will help you hone your skills.

Prayers for you Eva.

 

[Caedmon]

I need to do the driving test again to get an American licence. (Even though theoretically, I can actually drive solo with my Belgian licence here, go figure...)

Having a driver's license, as you may have already discovered, is a standard, not to mention convenient, form of identification. They ask for it everywhere. If all you can show them is a passport or international license, they may give you a little trouble.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Praying that your next test is one filled with calm and confidence!!

LOL! I started letting Tim drive down the driveway when we come home--I figure he'll need YEARS to get the whole mind/brain/hand/feet/eyes coordination going to ever feel confident enough to take his driving test.

 

[D'Ann]

Don't give up Eva. You'll do it. Will keep you in my prayers for tomorrow.

For the record, I failed my first driving test too.

 

[holyorders]

lol

i had to fail three times to finally get my license. all the times that i had failed were from minor mistakes.

 

[ukok]

Sorry you weren't able to pass last time, but praying for you today that things may go better for you

 

[Antigone]

I have a theory that says if you can drive through Antwerp, you can drive pretty much anywhere.

Cheer up, Eva! I'm sure you'll pass next time! In the mean time, hugs and prayers.

(Believe it or not, I had to take 108 driving lessons before I was even allowed to take the exam. The average amount in the Netherlands is 40 lessons).

 

[faerieevaH]

Well, I didn't take the exam today. I ended up just practicing this one blasted manoeuver. You drive off the street into a little hollow, like a parking spot, then need to turn back unto the road driving backwards, without going over the middle line, straighten out and drive straight back. If it was just driving straight back there wouldn't be a problem....

Gah... Hoping for saturday... Keep the prayers coming, I NEED them.

 

[Caedmon]

Well, I didn't take the exam today. I ended up just practicing this one blasted manoeuver. You drive off the street into a little hollow, like a parking spot, then need to turn back unto the road driving backwards, without going over the middle line, straighten out and drive straight back. If it was just driving straight back there wouldn't be a problem....

Gah... Hoping for saturday... Keep the prayers coming, I NEED them.

Hah. All I had to do was drive around the block, seriously.

 

[Angeldove97]

I some how passed my driving test on the first try, though I was totally freaking out and I was 21 at the time!! (Yes I didn't get my license until I was much older than most Americans do)

Find something that helps you stay at peace. Perhaps you know of a prayer that you could try saying as you are driving in the car--- without the instructor being there. Continue to pray it over and over again and then do the same thing while taking the actual test. (Maybe you've done this already)

Also, try to trick your brain if at all possible--- don't think about the testor as assessing how you're doing but a friend you haven't seen in ages, who is giving you instructions to get some where like her apartment, an awesome store/place to eat, etc.

I'm normally a very anxious person so I try this tricky my brain idea often and its help alot. Especially while having my interview for my teaching position.

Good luck to you--- I'm glad to hear that at the very least, you ARE a good driver. Trust your abilities and I pray God will bless your heart and mind when you take your test.

 

[faerieevaH]

Hah. All I had to do was drive around the block, seriously.

See... that's what I want. BillH never had to do such a complicated manoeuver. I bet half of the driving population of SC would fail that drivers licence test. Why do they set you up with something that you never have to do when realistically driving?

 

[Rochir]

Well, I didn't take the exam today. I ended up just practicing this one blasted manoeuver. You drive off the street into a little hollow, like a parking spot, then need to turn back unto the road driving backwards, without going over the middle line, straighten out and drive straight back. If it was just driving straight back there wouldn't be a problem....

Gah... Hoping for saturday... Keep the prayers coming, I NEED them.

I'll keep prayin for you, Eva!

Although I am surprised you have to take the practical part of the driving test aswell When I got my US drivers licence I only needed to do the theoretical test ... but then, a Bulgarian friend of mine also with her Bulgarian license also had to take both theoretical and practical ... in the busy streets of Boston no less!

:shrugs:

 

[faerieevaH]

Yes, we were surprised too. If I had lived in France or Germany, all I would have had to do was the theoretical part... that was a piece of cake.