If you have failed your first driving test, don’t panic. You need to know that the pass rates for driving tests have decreased a little to 46% this year, and with over 1 million driving tests every year, this means that people are failing their tests every day. So, while failing is never nice, you’re not alone!
Getting back on the horse after failing your test may be hard because your confidence has been knocked, but that doesn’t mean that you should sit on your hands and wait to try. With the help of Eclipse Driving School and our tips below, you can pass next time. A failed test shouldn’t stop you; after all, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
- First thing’s first: give yourself a break! A driving test is a huge amount of pressure, and you should feel comforted about the fact that driving a car is not easy. If you only had one thing that you failed on, then you haven’t really failed; a silly mistake is all. It takes time and practice to learn how to drive, and most people will get the hang of it at some stage. Nerves can play a big part in your failure to pass first time, too, so don’t feel bad if you don’t!
- Next, you need to get back behind the wheel. Book more lessons or drive your parent’s car if necessary. Either way, you need to get back into the car so that you don’t forget how to drive to the high standards that you’ve been displaying so far. You shouldn’t go too long before booking your retest, either. Confidence will build up quickly if you’re smart about it!
- Booking another test is so important – your driving instructor will tell you that. Don’t want ages between trying again, as you will have a much higher chance of passing if you get your test done fairly quickly after your failed attempt. The instructor can assess you during your lessons and give the encouragement you need to try once more.
- Don’t panic about the retest as there is no kept record of your previous test. No one will be trying to catch you out! A lot of tests will be conducted and they won’t remember your first one – only you will. However, you cannot let that hang over your shoulders! Relax and give yourself a clean slate.
- Practice, practice, practice. Get in as many hours of practice as you can when you are looking to rebook your test. Chat with your instructor about extra lessons and gain some confidence on any problem areas from the first time around. They’ll be able to offer you some added confidence so that you can feel good about the next time you book the test.
Take these pointers under advisement and make your next test the one you pass properly. You’ll never regret taking your driving test and passing it will feel fantastic the second time around! The next step? Buying a car!