How many times did you fail your road test? (Class 5 Basic GDL)

[Gaskal]

So after two months straight of driving practice once-a-day and brimming with confidence, I go into my first attempt this morning and promptly fail.

Why? Because I was turning right on a red-just-turned-green light and didn't yield for a dog walker lady across the street. What a stupid dumb ass rookie mistake...

I always check, always. Except my eyes were on the light and my head was still stuck on "Right turn at the lights, please" from my examiner.



Despite being assured that it's not the end of the world and lots of people fail the first time, I still feel pretty depressed and despairing. Not the 'taken down a few notches' kind, the rock bottom kind.


I mean I practiced like every day (even weekends) learning to handle a terrible-handling minivan to the point where it was like an extension of my body, I was so sure I'd pass the 1st time. Is this normal, feeling like utter failure? How many times did everyone take to pass?

[longsuffering]

Zero failures. Passed first time @ age 16.

[bluck]

Zero times as well. Go to Richmond and offer the dude $20, they'll just pass you right away

[wookster]

Tough one...next time!

I actually got mine on the first attempt, but I'm from a rural area so its probably not a fair comparison.

[Reaper]

Once attempt to pass at age 17. No failures.

[polak]

Passed both the GDL and the full one (or whatever it's called) first try. I was 16 for the GDL and 20 for the other one.

I failed the written one you do when your 14 for your learners like 3 times though! Thought I could pass it without studying. Nope.

Zero.

But IIRC I did a similar thing on my road test, but only got docked 5 points. I got another 2 points for slowing down while crossing a railroad.

[Locke]

I got mine first try as well.

But you're comparing Apples to Oranges. A lot of the older people on here will have qualified for their driver's licenses under an entirely different system than the one thats in place now.

[Coach]

Passed first time.

It's definitely not the end of the world to fail and by no means should be depressed or at rock bottom. I know people who are close to 30 that don't have DLs.

Driving is cool, especially when you're younger. But at least this way you can keep bumming rides/gas off buddies and not the other way around.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I failed my first time.

Mistakes happen and I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you but just keep practicing and you'll get it next time. Try not to beat yourself up about it.

[Phanuthier]

Quite honestly, you'll see bigger failures a lot more in your life and you'll learn to get over those just like you learn to get over this. The only thing thats probably bruised is your ego... its sometimes a good humbling experience. Its good to learn to deal with small hiccup's early on in your life... and its a skill on its own just to learn to let things roll off your back. A skill thats best learned earlier than later.

Good luck on your next test Gaskal!

[ben voyonsdonc]

Great post Phanuthier.

[puckedoff]

First try for me as well. Not sure if I've heard of someone failing before. Are you the first one to drive in your family?

[burn_this_city]

Zero, but I also got the guy talking about the Flames during the test and he paid less attention to my driving.

[polak]

I know A LOT of people who failed their first tries. I know a friend who failed twice, both times for not showing enough caution in an uncontrolled intersection. I know a bunch of people that failed for hitting the curb when parking too. Both were automatic fails but this was in 2005/06. Don't know if it's changed.

It happens all of the time and I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. Mistakes happen. You'll be fine.

I got docked for stopping too close to the car infront of me. Multiple times on both drivers tests. I refuse to leave that much space. Fight the power.

[polak]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

First try for me as well. Not sure if I've heard of someone failing before. Are you the first one to drive in your family?

You're a dick.

[Northendzone]

took me three goes at it and i took drivers education.......had to pass the test using my dad's 1976 plymouth grand fury....

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Quite honestly, you'll see bigger failures a lot more in your life and you'll learn to get over those just like you learn to get over this. The only thing thats probably bruised is your ego... its sometimes a good humbling experience. Its good to learn to deal with small hiccup's early on in your life... and its a skill on its own just to learn to let things roll off your back. A skill thats best learned earlier than later.

Good luck on your next test Gaskal!

This. Are you 16 or 17? Nothing you fail at or do at this age really has much importance in the grand scheme of things. It may not feel that way right now, but you're just a young fella and you'd be amazed how time and maturity will eventually put things into perspective.

So get back on the horse and try again -- nothing to be ashamed of here...

[DownhillGoat]

Failed once for speeding. Passed the second time, and passed the bike test on the first go-around.

It's pretty common. Text anxiety/nerves play a huge role even if you're a phenomenal driver.

If you've been trying to get it for the last decade and can't (yes, those people exist) I can see being depressed. But first time? Yeah, it's a blow to the ego, but re-book it and move on. If that's the biggest setback in your life you're laughing.

[burn_this_city]

I knew a girl who failed the written test 4 times.