Crippling nerves over test.

happyfish

I posted here before about nerves before the test but I'm really getting desperate now. I've had three driving tests. The first was almost a year ago now and was partly because I hadn't enough experience, but the other two were purely failed on nerves. I had no grade 3's either time and it was all little faults like progress that I would never make normally. My driving instructor even said that he didn't feel right taking money for me for more lessons because there's nothing wrong with my driving.
I'm a confident driver normally but when I was in my tests I was so slow, shaking, seeing black spots in front of my eyes, sweating, thought I was going to vomit at one point . I'm just at a total loss for what to do, I booked my test again today because my provisional is up for renewal and I need to drive for placement for college next year but I just don't know how to get over this mental barrier I've built up in my head. Have tried rescue remedy and all the usual breathing techniques etc and I'm wondering has anyone any tips beyond that for extreme nerves?

chin_grin

Rescue remedy!

But if you could do some breathing exercises and just get out and about as much as you can to become comfortable. Even take a few pre-tests to get you in the mindframe of the actual thing.

Best of luck!

happyfish

Thanks I've tried all those things feels like I've tried everything ha! I was really looking to see if anyone has been so extremely nervous. It's way beyond the normal levels of nervous !

Whippersnapper

Try some cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety. It should help you a lot. If you can afford to see a CBT therapist, do so. If that's out of the question, get a book called Overcoming Anxiety. Available in Easons for around 12 quid. Follow the steps in the weeks leading up to your test and you should be able to control your nerves much better during your test. Good luck!

Thoie

I was very nervous in tests/exams, and got a gentle classical music album (nothing with loud surprising booms) and "trained" myself that when it was playing that was "calm" time.

Asked tester if he minded if I played music on low in the car. I did only put it on low - enough for me to hear it, but not enough that he had to raise his voice to give directions. That was a long time ago, so it's possible they don't allow it any more, but worth checking out.

MascotDec85

Another method you could consider would be hypnotherapy.

I did it to stop smoking 2.5 years ago. The hypnotist was telling me she originally got hypnotised herself as she couldnt cope with the nerves of her driving test and failed 2 or 3 times. After hypnosis passed no problem. She went on to do it to stop smoking and then to practice it

I'm still off the smokes too

JohnMc1

good advice. I'm in the same boat. I get so nervous I can't pass the test.

happyfish

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Another method you could consider would be hypnotherapy.

My mam actually suggested hypnotherapy I wasn't sure if it actually worked! Could you recommend a hypnotherapist by any chance or PM me the details of the one you went to? I didn't really want to get professional help but I do recognise that this is definitely a pyschological problem so whatever helps can only be a good thing

happyfish

Whippersnapper what exactly would cognitive behavioural therapy entail? I've heard of it but a bit worried by what it actually might involve..

ProudDUB

I have read several comments here from posters saying that they find the total silence atmosphere of the test very intimidating, and that it adds to their nerves. So try practicing with some one who will sit there in stony silence as you drive, other than issuing instructions about what to do/turn etc etc. Let your passenger decide where you go. Get in the habit of not being in control of where you go and responding to someone elses instructions. The more familiar you are with the overall vibe on test day, the better it will be for your nerves.

I have to get lessons as I want to convert my US license to an Irish one. I tend to natter incessantly as I drive. My instructor told me I need to shut the bleep up, and get experience of driving in silence, otherwise I'd find the atmosphere of the test itself very off putting. It pissed me off at the time, but in hindsight it makes perfect sense.

MascotDec85

happyfish wrote: »

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Another method you could consider would be hypnotherapy.

My mam actually suggested hypnotherapy I wasn't sure if it actually worked! Could you recommend a hypnotherapist by any chance or PM me the details of the one you went to? I didn't really want to get professional help but I do recognise that this is definitely a pyschological problem so whatever helps can only be a good thing

I'm Scottish so the one I went to was in Glasgow when I was home for a couple of days. That said, if you got a cheap flight over and back same day it would still be cheaper than getting it done here!! Ryanair could have you over and back midweek for €60

I think here it's normally €250 (about 3 driving tests). The place I went to was £100 that may have been smoking specific but you could contact them to find out. The Harvest Clinic, Glasgow. Google them.

MollyZ

OP, I had the same problem as you the first time I did the test - I did actually throw up the morning it was on and was shaking so much during it that I couldn't really control the pedals properly - needless to say I failed spectacularly! I was so put off by the experience that I almost gave up driving. I was always very nervous driving even when I wasn't doing the test, but the test experience just made me ten times worse and I did believe that I would never be able to pass the test. I thought about hypnotherapy too, for general driving nerves and test nerves too, but I couldn't afford it.

So, fast forward a bit and it got to the point where I had to apply for the test so that I could get a new learner permit. I was reasonably confident that my driving had improved to the point where I had a chance to pass the test if I could only get over the nerves, so I decided to buy a hypnotherapy CD. The one I got was called Pass Your Driving Test and it was by a guy called Glenn Harrold. I listened to it every night in bed after applying for the test and I think it really worked for me. On the morning of the test I was still a bit nervous, but nothing like the first time and as soon as I started the driving part of the test I was really calm and 100% focused on just following the instructor's directions and concentrating on the road. I can't really explain it, but I just went into this state of complete calm and concentration. Even if I thought I'd made a mistake it didn't phase me at all and I just kept going. I passed that test with only three grade 2s and I'm convinced the CD helped.

Having passed the test, I was then really nervous about driving on my own, so I still use the CD from time to time to try and overcome that, and I think it's helping with that too - there are 2 tracks on the CD - one is to build driving confidence and one is for the test itself. I know there's a chance that this post might make me sound like a bit of nutjob to some people, and I don't know if this will work for everyone, but it really helped me so I thought I'd put it out there in case it might be useful for you or for anyone who is nervous driving. As far as I know, it's also on iTunes. Best of luck with the test OP.