I renewed my driver’s license on Friday. The new Connecticut licenses are sparkly and my picture is surprisingly accurate, even on the alluring “Man, what a cute driver-girl” side. But never mind that, since I’m ‘Under 21 until February 10th, 2005’ and my whole license is oriented vertically for immediate identification. The thick red stripe wasn’t distinct enough? Didn’t they notice, no one has to card me to know that I’m under 21! They did let me walk away with my old license though, a keepsake.
I think going in for the new one was even better than the first time back in junior year. It was completely anxiety free, but I still felt all that excitement because it brought back the positive memories of a virgin driver. Like lucking out with a great photo, putting that card in my wallet for the first time, listening to Nelly Furtado in my 1988 Honda Accord on the way to school, the RHS parking lot dynamic, rolling the windows all the way down after school, melting Gap lipshines on the dashboard and sticking Everyday Kolor in the windows. We took ourselves so seriously in our cars back then.
Of course, all that stuff was a million times sweeter for me because I was so devastated when I failed my driving test the first time. Hey, I needed some extra practice. I took myself a little too seriously and I needed to get a hold of my driving ego before I got that stamp of approval from the government! In honor of proving myself with three successful years as a licensed driver (well, except for pushing the car into chelsea’s tree on the first day of senior year and that one minor court incident), here is the article I wrote for ‘The Voice’ after the whole experience:
How to Fail Your Driving Test
On the day of my driver’s license test at the Danbury DMV, my greatest concern was the condition of my hair. I certainly did not want it to appear anything less than shiny, voluminous and strawberry blonde in my license picture! Little did I know how much I would have preferred the stereotypically unpleasant picture to no license at all, which is what I had in my wallet on the way home on that October afternoon.
There were three major moments during my testing experience on October 19th, 2000, that hinted at my imminent fate. First, when I asked the clerk who took my forms if I would need them again that day, he joked that I would not, “Until you come back.†He though it was quite funny. I shrugged it off, oblivious to the possibility of my failure. Secondly, once I had completed the written portion of the test (I missed two—whoops) the police officer attempted to scare me by saying, “Well, you failed,†as he looked at my score. At this point, I grew somewhat nervous.
Finally, while sitting in the DMV parking lot after executing a back-in parking job, I thought to myself, these exact words: “I, from this moment forward, am a licensed driver!â€
Not only did these coincidental events foreshadow the trauma to come, they made it all the more disappointing. Although the 12 minutes on the road are a blur in my memory, I know from my evaluation sheet that I failed because: A) When I was, “told to go left, [I] activated [my] right turn signal,†B) I used “no signal out of East Pembroke Road, and C) because the “operator [that was yours truly] approached junctions and made no effort to slow, stop, or check site line before proceeding.â€
Never mind that this government official, besides being rude, abrupt, and completely devoid of human emotion, misspelled “sight line.â€
In my defense…I was extremely nervous. In anticipating a right turn, after practicing routes during Driver’s Ed practice, I put on my right turn signal momentarily when the instructor spoke. At East Pembroke Road, I put on the correct turn signal, but the dramatic angle of the intersection caused the signal to automatically deactivate just before I turned. Finally, I was told during my final hours of Ridgefield High School’s Driver’s Ed that if I made any indication that I planned to stop my car at a place where there was no stop sign, I would fail the test. Therefore, when I approached these stop sign-less ‘junctions,’ I went against my driver’s instincts and maintained my speed to show that I wasn’t trying to stop. What else was I to do?
“So,†the inspector said after he had described my mistakes in agonizing detail, “You’re going to have to come back.†All this while standing next to the cone I had tipped over on it’s edge while parking. I didn’t think it could get any worse, until I fainted right there on the pavement. No matter how nervous you are on the day of your test, eat something before you go.
I made technical mistakes, but my errors before the test may have been even more destructive. First of all, I told far too many people that I was taking my test. I went so far as to carry a cellophane balloon from one of my friends through the halls the day before my appointment. This hurt my pride afterward, when I had to take the bus to school and break the news to everyone when they asked me excitedly, “Can I see your license?†Secondly, at 6 PM, the Danbury roads are busy and confusing enough for those who are familiar with them. An appointment at a less hectic time and a little touring and practice would have been in my best interest.
But most importantly, I did not trust my instincts. The DMV officers want to see that you know the rules, but their top priority is that you are a safe, observant driver. Had I relaxed, listened to instructions, and followed my own instincts, I would not have had to wait another two months to achieve the rights to the road.
Going back to the DMV on December 12th was a day to remember. This appointment took place at 2 PM – a much better time of day for mini-road trips in the greater Danbury area. I didn’t have to retake the written test, since I had passed it the first time. My road test lasted a long 25 minutes, but the inspector had checked off all the sections before we got in the car, and he skimmed a newspaper as we drove.
So, when your time comes, relax, but take it seriously. Listen to that voice in your head – it’s your “inner-driver,†and it usually has your best interest in heart. Be a cautious driver. But most importantly, don’t let yourself think that your lifetime as a driver depends on this one drive. Even I got behind the wheel again.
Quote of the day: “I looked above the other day, because I think that i’m good and ready for a change, and I live my life by the moon” – Nelly Furtado
***
October 30, 2009
Addendum:
Responses to this entry are most welcome! However, please note that comments submitted by readers since January 31, 2004 and in the future do not reflect the opinions of EmLocke. I do not endorse advice posted by readers, except where expressly stated otherwise. I am not, nor have I ever been an employee of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
January 7, 2008 at 3:24 AM
omg i know how you feel… i failed my driving test twice… once i didnt look at my front mirror before indicating, 2nd time i had the perfect scroe but on my way back i nudge the side walk and failed automatically! i didnt lose a single mark but that last min a made one mistake and it was one that gets you an automatic fail grrz and now i gota wait and i bragged too dont no what to say when i get back to uni :/
July 14, 2008 at 5:36 PM
LOL.. i failed twice also. The first time because I did a lousy “rolling stop” (instant failure btw 4 anyone who does that) also.. the second time, i was turning around when i stepped on the gas (thought it was the break HAHA) and went like an inch over the curb.. UGH tell me about failure! That was today.. and i’m pretty much over it now, because i decided to google about people that failed. It makes me feel better about myself. :] imma get it next time though haha.. i hope.
June 11, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Ugh… this made me feel better… u don’t understand.. i took my test today and failed to because… 1.) When i was at a stop sign i stopped and did everything correctly but i wasn’t really looking, i was just pretending i was looking cuz i was so nervous and there was another car coming and we almost collided.. so that was strike one.. and then 2.) the person told me to make a three point turn and i did it successfully but in one lane… so instead of going in the opposite direction of the correct lane i did a three point turn in the same lane that was going into the opposite direction…
i was so upset and i still am… GRRRR
i hate my lifee
June 11, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Ahahaha. I got my license today, and I have no idea what a three point turn is!! lol in our state (kansas) or at least our city, i took the written test and failed by one question, so I immediately payed 3.50 to take it again and missed only two. So I proceeded to the driving test. While pulling away from the curb, I put my foot on the brake and eased out while accelerating, a sure sign of a standard transmission native in an automatic, and she was understanding of that. I turned right on a red light, but a car was coming from behind, but it stopped and let me through. I pulled up to a stop sign, preceeding another car opposite me pulling up. I thought he had the right of way and I did, which provided for a less-than-pleasant akward pause. Not to mention I turned left by the courthouse and didn’t stop at the intersection, then I asked, “Was there a stop sign back there?”…. “No…” replied the instructor….. “I probably shouldn’t have asked that, huh?” “Nope.”……. Pulled into a spot and parked and asked “Am I over the line on your side?” *door opens* …”nope.” “YES!” I was ecstatic for that, but I knew I did horrible on the test. She said reluctantly, “You passed. You failed, technically, but you didn’t scare me (she was pregnant) and they were just minor errors, so you passed… But if that van had proceeded at that traffic light that you turned right on, you would have failed.” :/… to which I replied, “… Thank you, van.” She laughed. So I got my mugshot and little paper that pronounced me a licensed driver. But not by much. :)
June 11, 2009 at 4:44 PM
By the way folks, it helps to be friendly and humorous during the test!!!!!! The courthouse where we take the test is right next to the sheriffs office, and down the street from the police station. When she got in at the courthouse, I said “Hey put your seat belt on; this place is crawling with cops.” She was alot nicer and more understanding.
June 25, 2009 at 3:26 PM
I failed today but my instructer is giving me a second chance. This made me feel alote better!
June 25, 2009 at 7:27 PM
@Jess Good luck on your second chance!
June 30, 2009 at 11:27 AM
I just failed for the second time today! You guys are all right, though. It makes me feel better to hear similar stories of others failing; makes me feel like I’m not alone. I felt like such a failure for failing a SECOND time. I couldn’t believe I even failed the first time!
This time, though, I, too, did EVERYTHING right. But there was one mishap:
I stopped at the stop sign, good. Checked both ways, good. I was about to proceed when a car came that was TURNING into the lane next to me, which meant it was still okay to turn, so I was doing so. But the instructor did not think that the car would turn (which the car did!), so he stepped on the breaks. And since he had to do so, I got an automatic fail… with everything else PERFECT score. :(
I mean, COME ON, I went from the left lane to the left lane, I switched lanes, I stopped at stop signs, I used my signals appropriately, I didn’t go over the curve, I took the emergency brake off and on at appropriate times, I pulled in… but I still had the automatic fail and was not allowed to finish… so I didn’t even get a chance to back in! So unfair! And I didn’t really do anything wrong.
Now I have to wait until July 29 to take the test at the driving school a THIRD time. Which I better not fail. :(
July 14, 2009 at 7:16 PM
i just failed my driving test for the first time 2 hours ago …how sad ):
im still disappointed right now …. so upset …. i have to wait until August 13 to take it again …. im gonna check online tomorrow morning to make an appointment sooner … ):
July 23, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Wow. All these stories are really making me feel alot better! i actually just failed my test for the 2nd time today. :.( i cried a little lol i was really upset and disappointed.
The first time i took the test i was so nervous i ran a stop sign. Needless to say i was failed immediately.
The second time (today) i did the same freaking thing!!! I got a little further this time than last and when i got to a confusing intersection i accidentally missed the big red stop sign. Good thing there wasnt anyone else crossing in my path. lol. Oh well…i guess i will try again later and i’ll probably pass…eventually. ;)
August 14, 2009 at 9:22 PM
i failed my drivers license test yesterday, after coming back from my hawaii vacation 3 weeks early just to take my test, my instructor said i would of passed if she didnt use to word “stop” because if you give insruction, thats immideate failure, the light turned green and i was about to make a left turn after the garbage truck came though (you know, left turn on green must yeild to oncoming traffic if there is no designated arrow) and she THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO TURN because i was rolling out (you HAVE to roll out) other wise you will turn into the parked cars and she thought i was going to cut off the garbage truck during my test and so she said stop… why would i do that? ive passed every driving test ive ever taken the 1st time and i took drivers ed and its not even required… her job is to get in a car with TEEN DRIVERS, you need to take chances, not be “unsure” and fail me…. i want to call and complain, i dont think i should have to wait 28 days to take it again, i was perfectly capable of what i was doing, maybe id understand why i failed a little better if she saved us from something going wrong and it was a mistake i was gonna make, but it wasnt, and she didnt one bit…. UGGHHH someone reply :(
August 14, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Eek! Sorry, Rachel, you lost me at “you need to take chances.” That’s the last thing someone should be doing in a car, whether they’re a new driver or an experienced driver, or even a passenger. Like I said, the best thing about having to take my test a second time around is that when I went back (I had to wait almost two months) was that it gave me plenty of time to “get my driving ego in check.” Every move you make in a car is critical—and now you know that better than anyone! You’ll be better prepared mentally and practically, and once you get your license, you’ll have the rest of your life to drive with it!
August 14, 2009 at 11:16 PM
i know i just have a car and everything waiting but i mean they shouldnt judge me because she was “unsure” of a move i was totally capable of :(
August 15, 2009 at 12:25 AM
i didnt mean it like take risks, but it is her job to judge driving skills, and i was doing perfect and she said it and it didnt help me one bit, its bullllllllll, i have a bmw i cant drive now and and i wont get it for the rest of the summer and after school starts… i dont think i should be punished for her mistake
August 15, 2009 at 11:32 AM
When you call to complain, definitely bring up the BMW and your truncated Hawaiian vacay. If that argument doesn’t work, you’ll know you’re ready to have a license when the novelty of driving a car wears off.
September 23, 2009 at 9:09 PM
yhea…I failed my driving test for the 2nd time today.
The first time I had a very stickler tester and failed because I didn’t stop far enough from the limit line. I’m still confused on why I failed.
2nd time I had only made a few minor mistakes until the very end. I was at an intersection with a Stop sign. I proceeded to the intersection after making my Stop but a van was coming through and he had no Stop sign. I was almost hit by the van and my driving instructor practically scream STOOP!!. Course then I automatically failed….
Feel better now that I know someone else had failed because of the same mistake. I feel so embarrassed for almost getting hit on my driving test. Sour luck, I hope I pass next time.
October 3, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Does anyone else find it extremely hard to pass a road test in NYC? Because I failed mine the first time. And I’m taking mines again pretty soon. I felt discouraged the first time, but I think I’m feeling a little better about it, maybe just because I am more confident,
October 14, 2009 at 5:44 PM
ahhh i am one of the victims here.. i failed today but because of my driving skills but because i backed up the car before the instructor comes into the car. I didn’t intend to do that.. but my aunt asked me to do it.. and the instructor failed me immediately.. i was soo shocked when i heard him saying that i had already failed the test before we even went on the road together…
October 22, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Oh my god what are you talking abut people I failed mine too !!! I felt soooooooo upset after the examiner tiold me I am sorry to say but you have failed. do you want to know why ???????? Iy was because i didnt check my blind spot after i moved off just after doing the emergency stop. That is just sooooooo crazy. I bet in real life no one really looks at their blind areas just before they move off. espically if they are in a hurry !! I mean they got more important stuff to worry about. And yeh it makes you feel better after going on this site cuse u feel you not the only one who feels like this !
November 9, 2009 at 6:11 PM
i failed today… my instructor was a stickler but i went through a stop sign that was hidden in the corner lol. Also, the stop sign was about a mile away from the next stop sign which got me really pissed off. Oh well, i’ll definitely pass the next time.
December 3, 2009 at 11:13 AM
i just failed mine today too. i did everything perfect and she kept telling me how good of a driver i was. we then came to an intersection with a traffic light and she told me to turn right and as i pulled up i stopped because the light was red and i didnt see a no right on red sign. they practicly set you up to fail. theres no way i was thinking about not turining right on red, i was trying to make sure i was listening and doing everything right. we finished the test, and she onca again told me how i was a reakky good driver(so i was feelin pretty good) than she told me i failed…. fml
December 4, 2009 at 2:44 PM
I just failed today too! It was my second time taking it, the last one was a month ago. Nothing needs to be said about the first…. It was really dumb mistakes. I went to the same place today and had a different instructor, so I felt better because I didn’t have to be embarrassed about last time. I did everything almost perfectly. I mean, if it had been like a spanish test or something I definitely would have gotten an A-. So when we pulled back into DMV, I was all happy. And she told me I didn’t pass? Huh? She said I didn’t always check all my blindspots, but did everything else fine. What kind of reason is that to fail someone? Are you kidding? The first time I took it, she didn’t even mention blindspots. And I’m mad, because I’m having surgery in two weeks and won’t be able to take it again for at least 3 months. I’m pretty frustrated.
December 22, 2009 at 6:25 PM
When I failed my test a few days ago, i was absolutely dejected. I came home crying for about an hour. The funny thing is I ended up getting the worst examiner at the DMV; my trainer had told me that out of the 6 guys there was 1 that was the worst. I was feeling even more like crap, basically I had a really really bad cold and this really put a damper. But I really didn’t doubt I could fail because of all the practice. I had made it through most of the test successfully and during the end I was pulling into a big street to make a right turn and the examiner shouts, “STOP!!” at that moment I knew it was over. I had failed. I was horrified and I continued with the turn, stupid examiner was yelling “STOP STOP” and pulling the emergency break when there was a break at his freaking foot (it was my instructor’s car so it had a double break and gas, what an idiot). The emergency break wasn’t even working but I still made the turn and the car behind honked…I was terrified cause the guy kept shouting at me…it was horrible…
My nerves probably got the best of me, I mean i could’ve waited for the traffic to clear…I just blanked …. I really just wanted to get it over with and blew it. I’m going to retake it in the next month….I really hope I don’t pull one of those interventions again. and I really HOPE I don’t get HIM again.
December 27, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Everyone on this site is freaking me out!! I have my first road test tomorrow morning and I couldn’t be more nervous. It doesn’t help that I’m 18 and should have had my license two years ago. I’m an ok driver, but I’m incredibly nervous. I totally should not have come on here.
January 5, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Sooooo… I was looking forward to this test today. Failed it last week and I knew I had it in the bag this week. Last weeks reason: turning too fast on turns. Ok… I’ve been driving on a permit for almost two years- serious driving, so forgive me for being a little comfortable. So I go back today and who do I get? The wickedest witch in the entire state. The only real issue was backing up, was a little too far to the other side.. But for her to tell me I need lots of practice, she’s buggin. She was mad when I met her, mad when she left. I think she made up her mind this morning to just fail everybody lol so I’m on my way to another DMV in another part of the state to see if I can take it again before it hits the system. I’ll show mad Marge who’s decision weighs more- I have to pass this test today. My new car is at the dealership and has been for two weeks. Effin state employees make me sick!!!!!!
January 15, 2010 at 5:38 PM
So….I just totally failed my first driving test . . . I’m from western Washington. And guess what the weather was like…raining! Of course. I started the car and pulled out good. I even did a good job on parallel parking which I thought was going to fail me. Then I was asked to turn left at an intersection. The light was green but I knew that I had to yield for oncoming traffic. I waited there for about seven cars to pull through and I began inching my way into the intersection to better make the turn just like my driver’s ed instructor had told me. As soon as I began inching and waiting for one last car to go straight the tester yells, “Stop, do not go. that’s dangerous. Fail”. So then I immediately had to drive back to the DOL and waited for twenty minutes as she wrote a paragraph about what I had done wrong on that left turn. I was upset and trying to figure out what I had done wrong. I know that inching into the intersection wasn’t the safest thing to do. But in Tacoma, WA that’s the only way you’re going to make a left turn.
. . . I was upset. I can retake the test after a week . . .
January 24, 2010 at 12:23 PM
@Girlie Girl: I’m sorry that you’re disappointed. I’ve never heard of someone driving across the state to sneak through the DMV, but remember that your car will be waiting for you whether you pass the test today or next week, and it’d be better to get enough practice in before you start driving it!
January 24, 2010 at 12:26 PM
@Jack: I remember how upset I was when I failed my test! Hope the weather is better when you try again.
February 18, 2010 at 3:01 PM
Today was my First time failing my Road Test I felt sooo so so dissapointed because i’ve never really failed anything, (3.9 GPA honor student) failure hit me very hard, reasons why? because I had to slow down at a school zone that I didnt notice and forgot to look at my blind spot before changing lanes and my reverse parking missed by a tiny but of the line. Everything else went perfectly…I just have to try try again~ =\ unfortunately
February 19, 2010 at 2:46 PM
You’ve got the right attitude, Gen! On the driving test, you do get a second chance (not usually on academic tests, though!) You’ll “try, try again” and you will succeed.
February 22, 2010 at 8:00 PM
i think im just extremely unlucky. i got 17 wrong on the road test. Majority was because i was underspeeding. which yes i did by 1-2 minutes on purpose so that the instructor would feel that i was a safe driver. her comment to me was your an overcautious driver and because of that you failed. so im guessing that CA wants us to drive fast. i guess over all if u wanna fail just drive safety… they will tell you that your overcautious and fail you…also for my mistakes majority of it is speed (as in 10+). SO remember if you wanna fail just drive cautiously cause being safe is bad…..
February 28, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Sorry to hear about your test. It’s probably good to remember that cautious driving requires confidence and control. It is possible to create an unsafe situation by being “overcautious” if it creates a hazard for other drivers.
March 9, 2010 at 1:56 PM
I failed mine today. I was making a left turn and there was a parked car on the right side of the road where I was turning. The parked car wasn’t even remotely close to the curb, it was pretty much halfway into my lane so in making my turn I had to swerve towards the middle to avoid hitting the car. The guy said I was driving on the wrong side of the road so he failed me automatically. What was I supposed to do hit the car or swerve towards the middle where THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
March 11, 2010 at 10:30 AM
I remember my instructor telling my Driver’s Ed class about a student who passed the test even though he really didn’t believe she was ready. She just happened to drive her road test during very light traffic and, by chance, didn’t encounter any unusual obstacles or even a changing traffic light! She didn’t have to make any decisions on the road, so the tester didn’t have a chance to see if she would make the right decision or the wrong one. It’s disappointing not to have your license, I know, but try your best to learn something from your first try so you’ll be better prepared the next time around!
April 15, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Failed mine today. I got such a mean tester! There was a paper on the passenger seat and she said, “Move that.” I didn’t hear her at first and then she got grumpy and said, “MOVE that.” I panicked a little and picked it up and put it on the dashboard because I thought it had to be visible and then she said, “Not up there it will fall!” So bad start. Did everything well until 5 minutes in I DID NOTHING WRONG! I was in the middle of the intersection trying to go left so I waited until the light went yellow to red so cars could stop and I could make the turn. She failed me for running a red light. WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO! BACK UP? That’s illegal. So pissed….. was tearing up in the line where she had to give me another permit. Please reply somebody.
May 11, 2010 at 10:23 AM
I’m so sorry that you’re disappointed, Colin! Hope it’s some comfort to know that you’re not the only one who’s been there.
May 11, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Well, i took my road test today and I failed. The worst part is that A lot of people knew and were all like “you’ll pass don’t worry.” and i’ve been told by many people i’m a great driver. I failed because on a narrow road a mail truck was pulled over putting mail in someone’s mail box. So I pull into the other lane, but apparently “NOT FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM THE MAILCARRIER” So the evil little thing failed me for “not identifying a dangerous hazzard.” I was so excited to drive by myself and not rely on others to drive me. Not to mention all of my friends passed their tests. It was really sad. And I have to wait a month to retake it. I just hope I get a different examiner next time.
May 24, 2010 at 11:20 AM
today i failed second time. what if i failed third time? i have to join behind the wheel course which is too expensive. what if i don’t join the course and wait until my learner’s permit expire and then move to other state. somebody is there in this sitution?
May 26, 2010 at 12:49 AM
I failed today , actually more then any thing I am extreamly angry I’ve had two professionals tell me I am a very safe and effective driver however although I did every thing right despite being neveous apparently at this one intersection the worst one in our city it’s confusing and isn’t properly done I some how cut some one off… which I st ill can’t figure out where they were coming from I remember looking in all directions and nobody was comming but I guess there was some one… I don’t think it’s fair there are many reck less drivers out there and I am not one of them… however I do not have licence to dr iv eon my own like they do. so I am rather annoyed on top of this I put alot on me getting my licence today NOT two weeks from now.
June 1, 2010 at 1:42 PM
I’ve failed my road test 2x. Both times were humiliating. However, I do now understand what my mistakes were. I’m working with an instructor, and had 2 lessons this week. I have 7 days. I really want to take the road test when I feel very comfortable. I’m a lot better now. Just like many of you I thought I was a good driver and had fans telling me so! I realize driving is a mental thing and the only thing physical is the wheel, foot, and head. I hope some of this can be helpful tips as to why some of us fail and I did about three of these. 1.) Lane change: signal, look in the mirror, and look over shoulder. 2.) Know the right of way: yield, and stop at cross walks, if a car is there before you they have the right of way. 3. Stop: stop sign, and red arrows for making the right turn mean stop. The only way to turn if there’s a sign that says right turn on red light. 4. Don’t make an illegal left turn. Turn only on the lane closest to you, and not the farthest one. 5.) Have proper speed: too slow or fast is bad. Maintain the speed limit. 6.) Experience: simply know what to do in traffic situations. 7.) Know the vehicle: make sure to know where everything is in the car. Don’t use an unfamiliar car for the first time for your road test. 8.) Scanning: know your surroundings. know what’s going on to the right and left, ahead. 9.) Don’t be too cautious: that cause confusion to other drivers and accidents for not really knowing what to do. I hope these tips have been helpful, and now I know some of my mistakes form knowing this.
June 1, 2010 at 1:51 PM
I applaud your attitude! It’s so hard to come to the realization and admit that you weren’t always such a good driver, isn’t it? It sounds like you have taken control of the situation by putting time and thought in to getting your head together behind the wheel. I really like #6 on your list; experience is essential and that only comes with practice. Amaya, good luck on your test!
July 5, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Well i just failed my driving test for the first time today :'(
and i only missed out by a few points, apparently i was “exaggerating” the searching by looking down sidestreets too much. But really, i was only doing what my instructor had told me. Now i wish I had been more natural and used only my eyes instead of dramatically making a point of searching with my head. I overdid it. That and not being smooth enough with the speedo killed it for me. #$%@!
Shed a few tears afterwards too. Meh, I’ll just have to re-sit it again, hope i don’t get the same officer again >:(
August 5, 2010 at 7:11 PM
i just failed my test for the 2nd time today.
first time i was driving too slow,
this time i stopped behind a garbage truck instead of driving on the wrong side of the road to pass it (come onnn how would a beginner have known that?!).
i was sooo upset because i had already passed today and we were on our way back to the dmv when the stupid truck came out of nowhere! since the lady had to tell me to go around i automatically failed cuz she had to say something. i only had 2 errors other than that! the test really doenst judge if ur a good driver. there are people i know who are horrible drivers and get there licence on the first try. by now its like COME ONNN i drive EVERYWHERE! i just want a frickin job so i need a licence to drive there and back and i also want to volunteer at this pet store but i would have to drive myself there as well. and of course the dmv closest to me is closed this summer so i have to wait 45 days for the next available appointments. FML.
August 12, 2010 at 2:15 PM
I failed my drivers test for the second time today. Both times I failed within the first 5 minutes because I’m so nervous and lock up. Similarly, I’ve been told I’m an excellent driver, but I just get so nervous. Not to mention I’ve gotten some of the worst proctors in my local DMV. Looks like I’ve got to reschedule tomorrow and and make an appointment in the next city. Sigh. I’ve got to go to college next week and take the bus for a month… it’s basically high school. :/
August 14, 2010 at 8:05 PM
I made a point to memorize every single thing I read on this site the night before I took my driving test for the first time, which was a mere two days ago. (I took it on a closed course in Minnesota, if that means anything.) Still, I curbed the car 3 times, spent half my test time trying to parallel park, and mutilated the 90 degree backing procedure. I also spent too long yielding to oncoming traffic, and managed to avoid collision by about a second. There were many points in the test during which I was certain I failed. Therefore, I was entirely shocked when the intructor told me that I had, in fact, passed the test.
I have concluded that my mediocre driving skills alone couldn’t have possibly led me to walk away with a driver’s license that day. It must have been my overall demeanor in combination with a reasonable (even kind-hearted) instructor that passed me:
I made sure that I conducted myself as seriously, intelligently, and respectfully as possible. I dressed nicely, and did my best to show the instructor that I knew what I was doing without being cocky and over-confident. I think that’s what they want to see in a responsible driver; someone who’s alert and aware of what’s going on, all whilst reacting accordingly to potential dangers and staying completely focused on the road.
Also, for anyone who’s bummed that they failed, consider the person who gave the test. Too often, people just get a picky, crabby instructor. I’ve seen it happen enough. I know this is corny, but seriously, try your best, and learn from your mistakes. I think that’s the best way to prepare yourself for something that is often approached so blindly. You never really know what’s gonna happen with the driving test until it’s actually going on.
Good luck to all of those taking their tests. Work hard to be the best driver you can be, and let it show during the exam. Odds are, it’ll pay off. :)
September 22, 2010 at 5:01 PM
failed my driving test for the second time today… the first time, i lost points for not being observant enough when doing my parallel parking and 3 point turn and for being too far to the right when attempting to make a left turn.
Today, I literally failed within a second of pulling out from the curb as some asshole decided to double park immediately behind me just as the examiner was instructing me to pull out therefore blocking my view of oncoming traffic. I waited for a while to see if this idiot was gonna move as I could not see anything coming from behind. I decided to pull out after waiting for a while and when it seemed like nothing was coming. To my horror the examiner hit the emergency brake and yelled that there was a bus coming which I totally didn’t see. I knew this was an automatic failure. I told the instructor that I know that I had failed and I didn’t want to continue with the test and she told me to pull back over to the curb and put the car in park. In hindsight, I should have inched up very slowly to get a better view of traffic before trying to pull out but this motherfucker who double parked behind me messed every thing up and made me panic a bit.
Luckily the examiner was kind enough to not fail me in a technical sense. Instead she gave me the opportunity to reschedule and try again. So in a sense it’s like I never did the road test today. Since I failed once, I still have two tries left on my permit before I have to pay for any additional test. In New York State, you’re allowed up to three free tests on your permit. While disappointed, I don’t feel half as bad as I felt after failing the first time.
I know I will get my license eventually. I’ve already rescheduled my next test. I won’t stop trying until I get what I want.
October 1, 2010 at 11:10 AM
The DMV must be purgatory, I swear I could not stand another minute in that place if I didn’t need to. Well today I failed for the second time, and I was SO SURE I did better! The instructor I had last time was strict but very helpful and didn’t say/do anything to confuse me or make me nervous. She just sat quietly and graded. The second time the instructor was yelling at me most of the test, telling me there’s no way I can pull out of the space I was parked in..which I did, I swear I think it’s just the male instructors are very hesitant about letting women drive. But what he said after I failed really pissed me off, He said that I couldn’t see if traffic was clear to make a safe turn, which is COMPLETE b.s.! I definitely saw that everything was clear, there were absolutely NO cars coming, not even on the left lane and I had to turn into the right. I think they focus so much on ‘what-if’s” that they’ll fail you no matter what. I know I’m probably the last person on earth anyone wants advice from but here is my 2 cents, act like you already failed the test, act like you failed it and just pretend that you have to ‘suffer’ through it. That way you have no expectations, no worries. Sounds pretty negative but that’s all I can think of at this point, All in all I’d say nerves get the better of you, and don’t take what the examiners say/think too personally. It’s really their job to judge, and they could possibly be saving your life in the long run. Driving is not something you teach someone, so they can’t expect everyone to be grade-A limosine drivers with perfect turns and stops, especially at first.
October 8, 2010 at 11:51 AM
I’d consider driving a teachable skill. Regardless, I’ve ridden with some limousine drivers who I thought could use a lot more practice!
October 8, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Katelyn, I think you make a great point. Though it’s been more than ten years since I took my first driving test—the one I failed—I still remember what I wore to the DMV that day because I spent so much time choosing that outfit. I don’t have any idea what I was wearing when I passed the test—even though the picture taken on that day was on my license for four years! I wasn’t focused on anything but the road, my car, and my driving; I put my outfit, my excitement about driving to school, and the CD player I wanted to install in my car out of my mind. I really respect your attitude—I think you’re the first person to make a comment on this post that refers to a “reasonable (even kind-hearted) instructor!” They do exist!
October 24, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Me too i failed my driving test last week. My automatic mistake was c.d.e. I entered the center lane without turning haha iwas idiot. Don’t know what the purpose of center now iknow i never forget that reason of my failure. Gotta try again next week. Thanks for this makes me feel better…