How I used the law of detachment to pass my driving test 👇
I wanted to share this because I know how brutal the pressure can feel.
Before my test, my mindset was all over the place. I wanted to believe I’d pass, but the reality was I was making loads of mistakes especially on the day of the test during practice. That made me feel like I was going to fail.
On top of that, I had already failed my theory 5 times before finally passing on the 6th try. So in my head, this test felt like everything. I felt like I had to pass.
My biggest fear wasn’t even messing up slightly it was the examiner having to use the dual controls and instantly failing me.
Make sure you get loads of practice in, & when I say that I mean it because without it your fucked, don’t think you’ll pass with only 10 lessons, listen carefully this isn’t a fairytale, this is real life driving, if you haven’t had practice ur examiner will be able to tell,
It’s important that ur instructor teaches you the intricate steps especially on the overwhelming roundabouts,
Now it’s time for my test & it’s literally the night before, I’ve had all the practice & tomorrow is the day to show the examiner that I’m worthy of driving on my own. I still made mistakes that following morning when I was practicing with my instructor but we will get to that in a moment.
The shift (this is what changed everything)
The night before my test, I just let it all go.
No more pressure. No more “I HAVE to pass.”
I told myself:
“I’m just going to do my best. If I drive safely, that’s enough.”
That was it.
Not some magic trick—just letting go of the outcome and focusing on driving properly.
That morning when he picked me up I was shitting myself, even though i had detached from everything, there still was a part of me that was anxious & needed some reassurance, it was my instructors moral support, & before the test I had gotten just that. Truthfully if it wasn’t for his constant positive affirmations I’d be fucked.
The mistakes I made were serious like not fully being inside the lanes, not reading the road signs properly & merging out when traffic was close out of closed junctions, he kept on reassuring me & building my confidence up when I was making these mistakes, his instructions were clear & when those mistakes were made continuously he kept the same tone & made me understand that how I was feeling was okay & nothing to worry about, granted these would have been fails if I did any of these, but when I was on the test,
I did everything he told me because he told me in a calm manner over & over again when I was making mistakes, your nervous & it’s inevitable, please make sure your instructor is patient, now that I passed & I have been driving for the past few days, those lessons I learnt with him stuck with me.
Now that I got all that out the way, it’s time for the test itself,
I was calm. Not completely fearless—but calm enough to think clearly.
And I still made mistakes:
- I stalled the car on a minor road
- Had cars behind me (which normally would’ve panicked me)
- Completely messed up the “show me” question (couldn’t even figure out the back window wash 😅)
But here’s the difference:
I didn’t spiral.
I just carried on driving safely.
The lesson I learnt with my instructor helped me detach from everything, I knew that if I did my best & followed all his instructions I will pass.
What I realised after passing
I didn’t drive perfectly.
I just drove well enough without overthinking everything.
That’s the key.
The moment I stopped putting insane pressure on myself… I actually performed better.
If you’ve got a test coming up
A few things I’d say:
- Don’t rush decisions (especially at junctions)
- If it’s not safe, don’t go, patience > failing
- Always check mirrors + blind spots
- Find an instructor who actually builds your confidence PLEASE!!
And most importantly:
> It’s okay to make mistakes. Just don’t lose your composure.
Even if you think you’ve failed mid-test… you probably haven’t.
Let it go, refocus, and keep driving.
If I can pass after failing theory 5 times… you definitely can too.