<p>I turned 17 today and I failed my road test for the first time.</p>
<p>It was such a stupid mistake that I've lost all confidence. I was really freaking out and nervous during/before my test. During the test, I hit the back cones during parallel parking (I didn't knock them over, only touched them) and then I got more nervous after hitting the cones. So then I hit the curb when I was making my right turn because the street was really narrow and I was afraid to swerve into the wrong side.</p>
<p>I don't know how this happened. I really am a good driver, my instructors and parents told me this. But I bombed the test. I have to go back in 2 weeks and I'm really nervous again. I'm afraid of failing twice and I'm afraid to hit the curb and I'm afraid to have the same examiner and I'm afraid to knock over the cones in that narrow little course. I don't wanna switch DMV locations since I'm already familiar with this location. It's just so much pressure from everyone because pretty much everyone in my family passed the first time.</p>
<p>And the thing is, I bought 6 hours worth of lessons from my driving school the week before the test. </p>
<p>Any advice? How do I stop my nerves from getting the best of me next time?</p>
<p>This doesn’t really have to do with college, but:</p>
<p>Practice is literally the only thing that helps with driving. No one is naturally good at it. Everyone who is a good driver is such because they have practiced, and have experience doing it. As such, you need to practice. I honestly have no idea how to parallel park (my state doesn’t require it for the driving test), but there are YouTube videos on the subject. Look at those, then practice a ton. Also, remain calm. You probably knew that, however. </p>
<p>You have already done it once, albeit poorly. But since you have done it once, you are more familiar, and have an advantage for next time. Keep practicing, and you will pass.</p>
<p>Take a deep breath. Really try and relax. If you have the same tester as last time, see if you can ask for a different one. Try and take the test elsewhere. If you can, drive through the testing course with a parent or an instructor. Try and be aware of what exactly makes you mess up when you’re nervous (for me, I got tunnel vision and couldn’t focus on anything besides the test and the road in front of me). Or, better yet, wait a few months before taking the test again. If you do wait, don’t take the test again until you’re more confident, failing multiple times is a drag. I’ve been in the same boat as you (except way worse, I took the test several times). Pm me if you need more advice</p>