guinnessgurl

So I failed my driving test today. Everyone tells me that they failed it the first time too, but it still sucks. I guess if I've waited this long to get it, I can wait two more weeks.....if just really grates on my nerves to see all these people two years younger than me with their full licenses, so frustrating!

Keep your fingers crossed for me on the 28th!

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Don't go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail - George Eliot

lazyaznguy

Don't worry, almost everyone I know failed their driving test their first time. I think the key to passing is to basically drive extremely carefully/paranoid. That's what worked for me, anyways. Good luck!

qtpye4u84

guinnessgurl I know how you feel I am 19 almost 20 I don't have my license. I just don't have any one to teach me.
My older brother failed his the first time.
Good luck I hope you get it.

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The QTpie

isis

Driving tests are so finniky. They aren't really a true measure of your driving abilities, I find .. I mean, I passed the first time but I was SO uncomfortable behind the wheel. They take points off for regular traffic things such as slightly rolling onto the stop line. I mean, in real life, does it matter THAT much?

Don't let it get to you .. you'll kick ass and take names next time.. and be cruising in style. : ) Good luck!

bernadette

um, yeah. if there's a bored or disgruntled cop sitting over there behind the bushes, he'll ticket you in a heartbeat.

it's not that big of a deal to come to a complete stop. honestly, you will not get anywhere any earlier by skirting the laws. in fact, you may arrive to your destination later if you get pulled over for thinking you're above the laws.

in my quiet little neighborhood, in the dead of night, no one else on the street, i always come to a complete stop at every stop sign. why? it's dark. vision is limited somewhat. and that always means maybe i don't see the cop sitting down the street a few houses down with his headlights off! it also means i am a responsible driver & i don't want to hit someone walking who might be wearing dark clothing & not very visible.

traffic laws may seem silly to you, but they were made with a reason. you are NOT the only person on the road.

[steps off soapbox]

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isis

Oh, I understand completely Bernadette.

What I'm saying though is if your wheel is an inch over the stop line, its like an instant fail. In real life, if I had to make a sudden stop or something, it would be somewhat forgivable.

I agree completely though .. I follow the rules

bernadette

[steps back on soapbox] (sorry. i feel strongly about this)

if you can, find a driver who is willing to let you drive with them in the car (with your permit always handy!)
practice practice practice as much as you can.
learn the rules of the road & always follow them.
if you don't you'll soon figure out, as i did when i was young, getting traffic tickets sucks.

my tickets were always for speeding.
i learned eventually to chill out on the road. i now go with the flow of traffic & am never leader of the pack. now i find it amusing (although worrisome) to see the young punks go zipping in & out of traffic like maniacs, only to pull up beside of them at the red light. traffic lights are often timed. driving like an idiot generally won't get you there any faster. and it's so not worth the hassle of tossing large amounts of money out the window for fines & increases in your auto insurance nor the risk involved of possibly injuring someone else.

if someone listens & takes to heart what i've said, based on my experience, then i'll be glad to have shared my crazy old woman wisdom.

pay attention to the road when you're driving a car. it's not a video game.
it's not a right, it's a privilege & a responsibility.

the roads are often filled with frustration.
expect it. plan for it. take a deep breath, sing to the radio & smile.

[steps off soapbox again]

good luck getting your licenses.
i wish you all happy driving experiences.

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bernadette

aw... i see what you mean, isis.
but yeah. just drive like you're gonna get paid a LOT of money for doing it perfect.

you can do it!!!!

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gondath

The driving instructors can blow me. I took my first driving test in a big truck of all things and failed because I hit the curb too hard when pulling over to the side of the road. The test required people to let the wheel gradually bump into the curb. Hell, I never park that way. I had to wait an hour to retake it, and then I finally passed.

bernadette

oh gosh... a whole hour. damn.

[removes tongue from cheek]

hehehe glad you got your license. congrats.

now chill out, slow down & take your time. please. thanks.

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gondath

Heh, I have to admit it's the time since the test that gave me my talent behind the wheel. You'd be suprised what five years of speeding tickets can do for your driving skills.

bernadette

how'd your wallet fair?

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guinnessgurl

I completely agree with you Bernadette. I'm a very conscientious driver. The reason I failed was simply because my instructor was a stickler about looking both ways when at an intersection or just when you're turning onto a street. I did look both ways but she wanted me to look more than once and be very thorough about it. I guess I received too many demerits or something. Oh well, here's hoping for next time....

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Don't go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail - George Eliot

Rubyee

Here in Iowa, we went through a driver's ed course at age 16, and most of us didn't have to take a driving test. They had a lottery type thing at the DMV. I don't know why they don't enforce the test. Personally, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't. There were a lot of 16 year olds that should never have gotten their licenses to begin with, and a test would have solved that problem.

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You don't know from fun.

Sugar&Spice

I took mine when i was 15 and I didn't pass the driving test the first time because she said I rode the clutch. I was so mad..most kids that age can't even drive a clutch. And because I rode it a bit she said i'd have to redo it. I was so sad. I did everything else right. I think it just depends on their mood that day.

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-Speak your mind even if your voice shakes

ultra_agent9

I got my driving licence kinda late in life (too embarrassed to say right now), but luckily I had an extremely patient and excellent driving instructor who got me ready for the test. I passed the first go, but like I said, I could already kind of drive and was much older when I finally got around to getting it.

Don't worry, you'll get there! It's not like you've failed 7 driving tests, THEN you would have cause for worry.

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Champaigne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends.

KellyC

Since so many people failed their first time taking the test, I'm beginning to think that there's a conspiracy about this. Maybe they all have a meeting somewhere deep in the woods agreeing they'd fail all first timers, killing that excitement and expectations of getting a liscense, making our lives a bit more miserable for a couple more weeks.....

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Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe?
Me: Shit happens.

guinnessgurl

Haha, my friend said the exact same thing. She told me its all just a big conspiracy to get more money out of us :P Oh well, nothing we can do about it I guess....

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Don't go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail - George Eliot

World's King

I'm 23 and can't drive stick.

Don't feel bad.

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heavy is the head that wears the crown

laconic1

In my case, I passed the test the first time I took it, but when I had called to schedule the test, they said they wouldn't be able to get me in to take the test until three weeks after my 16th birthday, even though I called a week before my birthday. Everyone else at my school was able to schedule their appointments a day or so in advance and got their license right away, while I suffered for three weeks.

la petite moi

Hey hey, I got an automatic fail for not turning from the bike lane while taking a right turn. Ridiculous. Just keep practising and be REALLY obvious next time you take it.

Cycler

I took my driving test three times failied the first two, One my fault, ran a stop sign the other someone pulled out in front of me and I had to panic stop failed. Don't feel bad it'll happen like people have said practice.

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"I'm not even supposed to be here today."

"I assure you we're open."

Rlyss

I passed the first time, but I was very, very close to the failing mark. About as close as you can get without failing!

The guy who tested me was very pedantic too, but I guess since I passed I can't complain. A few people have said to drive overly cautiously, as if you're paranoid. I don't know if that works there but it doesn't work where I live.

I lost a point or two for looking too much. When changing lanes I was instructed to look in the side mirror, then turn on the indicator, then look in the blind spot. In that order, no more and no less.

Whenever I looked in the side mirror, then did a headcheck to see my blind spot, then indicate and look again, they penalized me. I asked if it was because looking so much, or not in that specific order (indicating before doing a headcheck? What's the point?) meant I took my eyes off the road ahead for too long, and he said no, it just has to be in that order, and that I can't look any more, or any less than that.

Ridiculous. As soon as I passed the test I resumed checking and being as cautious as I damn well want. That was a long time ago and since then I've never had an accident, never a scratch, never been pulled over, never had a ticket, nobody's ever beeped at me and not even any close calls.

Asuka{eve}

I took the test at 16. I got a 81! yay!