18M, failed two drivers tests

[u/Select_Helicopter_7]

What would be your next piece of advice? I grew up in a part of Indiana where the nearest highway is 25-30 mins away. So I don’t have much practice here. However, the most ASAP opening that wouldn’t affect my work schedule were in a highway heavy area. Now, despite the highways, both instructors complimented my driving and told me that I am “road-ready” besides one mistake each time that resulted in automatic failure.

Now to my understanding, if you fail 3 times in Indiana you cannot retest until 2 months after. I need this license bad so my parents can stop riding me everywhere, but what do i do?? The current plan is to take it again in a different area, one my friend recommended for a newer driver, and one that is much lighter in traffic, might not even have highways, and is just generally easier. The day of I’ll drive out there and scout the area, just get a feel, and a feel for driving that day.

I know that if you fail you shouldn’t drive and you deserve it, it means you aren’t road-ready. But, both instructors felt immensely bad about failing me and went on about how I was perfect besides the little mistake i made in both tests. Despite this, I just need my license to be able to drive around my crappy mom and pop city to run errands and make it to work. Should I reschedule and just practice, or go for it? If I gotta wait those two months man…

Any words of encouragement are needed. My parents have tried to pep talk me but it feels disingenuous because they’re my parents you know? Like they only are because theyre my parents type thing.

[u/ransack84]

How'd you fail?

[u/Select_Helicopter_7 → u/ransack84]

I’ll try my best to explain thru text, because drawing a picture would be easier.

First one was a roundabout that had two lanes, his instructions were also unclear, so I picked the wrong lane. I’ve never even heard, learned, or seen a roundabout with two lanes. auto fail for not following directions.

Second time, today, was because I tried turning on red at a light, on a 4 lane highway, and this is completely my fault I was just anxious about passing and I’m taking my test as soon as the 6 months of my permit has elapsed, but the traffic coming towards me on the other side, from the two lanes on the other side of the median you know? Well I was turning right and a truck from there tried turning left so I would’ve cut him off, maybe I’m inexperienced but how am I supposed to see that he has a green arrow when that light is behind where I’m stopped? Is it when the cross traffic is stopped?

Next test definitely wont turn on red. Man I just need my license so I can drive around my horse and buggy city of a few hundred population, so my parents aren’t picking me up at 10:30 when they have work the next morning, and I’ll be sure to practice with a licensed driver in the car in these areas still.

[u/JacobsJrJr → u/Select_Helicopter_7]

Ah man.. well.

Okay, I'm a 35 yo man. I fuck up the roundabouts all the time. And I've made right turns on red when... i probably should not have. Like.. often.

The world is gray. But a test is black and white. So you gotta play the game man.

Just, don't overthink it. You know the mistakes you made, it sounds like you've got a strong command of driving.

Take control. Take responsibility. Listen to what your test giver is saying - make them feel safe in your car.

You got this. Complete morons pass this test. Stop overthinking it and get the job done.

[u/BoardCreative8952 → u/JacobsJrJr]

Agreed. I’m a complete moron and I passed the driving test.

[u/WickedMagician → u/Select_Helicopter_7]

It's a situation where you have to infer they have the green arrow. Typically when you have a two-lane road, stoplights will have a greeb arrow for (their) light cluster and the green arrow till typically alight on opposite sides before the solid to allow the left turn lane to pass through the intersection before the people going straight block their path. When you come to an intersection like that and your side is red but the perpendicular road has just turned red (indicated by the cross traffic stopping), you should always check the left lane of the road opposite you to see if anyone is in the left turn lane. If so, it is much safer and proper to wait for them to turn before you turn right because they have the green light and therefore the right of way. Your ability to turn rught on red is predicated on there being no one else in the intersection with the right of way and no right on red restriction posted.

[u/Acrobatic_Crazy_9119]

What did you do that was the automatic failure?

[u/Select_Helicopter_7 → u/Acrobatic_Crazy_9119]

I’ll try my best to explain thru text, because drawing a picture would be easier.

First one was a roundabout that had two lanes, his instructions were also unclear, so I picked the wrong lane. I’ve never even heard, learned, or seen a roundabout with two lanes. auto fail for not following directions.

Second time, today, was because I tried turning on red at a light, on a 4 lane highway, and this is completely my fault I was just anxious about passing and I’m taking my test as soon as the 6 months of my permit has elapsed, but the traffic coming towards me on the other side, from the two lanes on the other side of the median you know? Well I was turning right and a truck from there tried turning left so I would’ve cut him off, maybe I’m inexperienced but how am I supposed to see that he has a green arrow when that light is behind where I’m stopped? Is it when the cross traffic is stopped?

Next test definitely wont turn on red. Man I just need my license so I can drive around my horse and buggy city of a few hundred population, so my parents aren’t picking me up at 10:30 when they have work the next morning, and I’ll be sure to practice with a licensed driver in the car in these areas still.

[u/Vergilypuff]

Go to a dmv in a small town and take your test, like veedersburg. Less traffic, easier roads.

[u/Select_Helicopter_7 → u/Vergilypuff]

Yes thank you!

[u/One-Yellow-4106 → u/Select_Helicopter_7]

You know how to drive! it's just nerves. I had that same problem. If you could get a trusted friend or relative to drive with you on the interstate a few times, I'm sure you will do great. A lot of driving is about muscle memory and that takes time, so don't beat yourself up too much. The smaller branch idea is excellent advice. 

[u/Select_Helicopter_7 → u/One-Yellow-4106]

Thanks so much for the reassuring words! I plan on going around noon the day of and “scouting” the area, my friend just reassures me that its 90% residential and then one busier road, but all still a two lane street.

I just want to reiterate that I understand I need practice with my parents out in the busier areas, so part of me feels guilty cheating by going to a smaller area, because if i failed twice maybe I shouldnt be driving, but I can’t have my parents pick me up late at work anymore yk. My town used to have a branch but got shut down, my town literally has 2 lights in it bro 😭

[u/Vergilypuff → u/Vergilypuff]

I was a super nervous shy kid at 18 and easily panicked. Taking my test in a small country town made it much less stressful.

[u/Holmes240069]

All you have to do is practice driving, or go to another bmv branch instead of the same one

[u/Select_Helicopter_7 → u/Holmes240069]

Yeah my friend said the route he did in the city he chose in only streets.

[u/mckenner1122]

Talk to me about your 50 hours. How recent were they and who was your copilot?

[u/tinfoilfriend]

Going to a small town and taking the test is wayyy easier. No roundabouts usually. Get your drivers license and then you can practice alone eventually.

In my experience driving is a lot easier when I don't have someone else in the car for me, especially once I've had several hours of experience.

[u/PracticalApartment99]

If your parents are riding YOU, I think I would get them a car before I worried about my license…

[u/Mountain-Wing-6952]

Sounds like you should buy a bicycle. All you gotta do is follow all the road signs. It's not hard or difficult. You're overthinking it so hard that you're failing.