I failed my driving test yesterday and it was a humbling experience. The week leading up to it, I was a bit too confident when it came to the actual exam. I was driving a bit too fast and was too sure of myself and when the exam day came, I got so nervous I could barely sit still. I was fidgeting constantly. 

The reason I failed in the first 5 minutes was entirely my fault. I didn’t see a pedestrian when driving over a pedestrian crossing and the instructor had to push the brake. Before you ask, nothing happened to the lady crossing; the car wasn’t moving,I was about to start it to turn right. 

So let’s reenact the story real quick: At first, I just had to stay in the car and let the girl who was in front of me in line finish. Her test was excellent; she drove very calmly and was kind of intimidating. The intrusive thoughts in my brain were already working overtime: “You can never drive this good”, “See how perfect she took that turn? I doubt you could do that” and so on. After she pulled over and it was my turn, I got in the car with shaking hands, got ready and slowly started. Everyone was telling me to drive slowly and not to hurry. I think I over-listened to their advice because my speed was 20km/h; the instructor had to tell me 3 times to speed things up. I was feeling my face getting red from embarrassment; it was that bad. And then we got to the first pedestrian crossing, mind you, this is happening on the street where I got in the car, so it is not like I drove for a long time, I didn’t even take any turns. Now, on the street I was supposed to turn on the cars could only drive from left to right, so obviously I was booking left to check for any incoming cars, after waiting way more than necessary and finally deciding that I can turn, I want to start moving the car at a snails pace when suddenly the instructor presses the break. There was a pedestrian in front of me passing. I stayed so long to check for cars looking only in one direction that I didn’t even see the pedestrian approaching from the other one, because it didn’t even cross my mind to check the other direction as well, even though everyone before the exam told me to always look both ways. Now, I don’t know how the exam is where you are from, but if the instructor presses the break, you fail instantly, so I knew my fate was sealed. But trying to keep what was left of my dignity, I didn’t start crying right there, don’t wanna brag, but I managed to hold in my tears all the way to the bathroom. So after the little pedestrian incident, I started to drive again back to the examination centre, again at an average speed of 25 km/h. It was just a mess, to be honest. After that performance, I wouldn’t give myself the license. But now I will definitely check left and right 5 times before pressing on the gas.

Now, in retrospect, when I think about it, I sat behind the wheel from the start of the test, thinking that I won’t pass, I don’t know exactly why, but something was nagging me. So I decided to write this post in hopes that someone who also failed their driving test can see that they are not alone and that it happens. But for those of you who passed the driving test, congratulations!!! I am sure you are going to be great drivers.

I have to admit, yesterday was not a fun day for me emotionally, but I think I reached the 5th stage of grief now, acceptance. There’s nothing I can do now about the failed exam; only prepare for the next one. My way of managing to get over the failed exam might not work for you, but I do recommend finding something that helps you move one because at least for me this is the first exam I fail in my life, ranging from uni exams, language tests, this is the first ever one I don’t pass so you can imagine how end-of-the-world it felt. 

Another perspective I thought about is: what if I just view this exam as a side quest I wanted to do over the summer, because I started it in July, so I barely have a month and a bit of driving. A side quest that was not completed YET, because mark my words, I will have that license in my hand by the end of 2025. Not all side quests are successful when you want them to be, but it was good that it happened because now I am sure that the next time I will be way less nervous and perform way better. 

Moreover, it is a huge responsibility when you are behind the wheel, not only for you and the people that are in the car, but also all the other cars and participants in traffic, so it is important to pay attention around you at all times (don’t follow my example). 

To conclude, don’t beat yourself up too much for failing it, it happens to more people than you think and most importantly, don’t give up, take extra classes and then do the exam again in weeks or months when you feel ready.

P.S. the car above isn’t mine or anything I went to a museum in Belgium and this was in front. But the real question is would I want to own something like that? Maybe change the colour a bit but besides that of course I would want to own it, no hesitation.