I've done it!!!
tl;dr (provided by an LLM as I cannot do tl;drs as proven below)
TL;DR: I passed my driving test on the first try with 6 minors! I got a silent examiner and a forward bay park (not what I wanted), but I managed my massive nerves by constantly telling myself "I'm not anxious, I'm excited." To everyone still prepping: take your time, prioritize safety, and trust your convictions. Thanks for all the help, this sub is invaluable! Now on to the MOT!
Non-tl;dr if you want to read the rambles of a bloke who's just done what he thought on Monday was impossible after a bad lesson;
So I rarely post in this sub as in posts, I mostly lurk, read and comment when I can or when I feel like I have something to input for people.
I do want to say first and foremost, this sub has been very useful, everyone's comments and insights have been invaluable and I've used them over the course of my journey.
Alas today, we talk about something that I have been excited to post.
I have passed today, first time, 6 faults which I will learn from and improve over time, the nerves were sky high, the over-analysys was running 110% all the way through, I overthought and overjudged everything. My original hope was to get a chatty examiner and reverse 2 car lengths as my manuver, I got neither. I got a silent examiner and forward bay park.
But I do want to say to people, excitement and fear can be hijacked, instead of dreading keep saying "I am not anxious, I am excited." over and over, internalise it. The second your brain flicks that switch from defence to excitement it helps, it clicks.
Of course people want to see the faults, which I will list below;
- Move off – Safety, 2
- Clearance, 1
- Judgement – Meeting, 1
- Progress – Undue hesitation, 1
- Positioning – Normal driving, 1
We did arrive back a lot later than expected, but as my examiner said "You wanted to go slower to ensure you had time and safety, you didn't impede anybody you took your time to be sure" which yes, every junction, every roundabout if I had stopped I said "Look left, Look Right, Look left again, I am sure in my convictions I'm confident I'm going."
Now its time to change my flair and wait for my car to be through an MOT, thank you to everyone in the sub, you've all been great.