Should I give up after failing the driving test three times?

[DelAddyson]

You should persist even after failing the driving test three times. Here is an introduction about failing the test: Introduction: Failing the test is a synonym for not passing or not meeting the required standard. Specifically, it refers to someone failing one or multiple subjects in an exam for various reasons, thus not meeting the required criteria and needing to retake or restudy the subject. The term "failing the test" is derived from the word "failed" and is commonly used in modern university campuses. If a student fails a subject, they often say they "failed" that subject, gradually giving rise to the term "failing the test," which has been passed down among university students. Those who frequently fail the test are mainly those who skip classes, do not pay attention during lectures, or do not practice after listening. Taboo object: Frog. Because the "croak" sound made by frogs is homophonic with the word "fail" in Chinese, frogs are the least welcome animals during exams.

[Barbara]

I failed the driving test (Road Test) four times before finally passing, and now I drive quite smoothly. Don't rush to give up—failing three times is completely normal; I've seen people take five attempts. The key is identifying where the problem lies. For example, my first two failures were due to straight-line driving, and I later realized I was gripping the steering wheel too tightly. The third time, I mixed up the high and low beam operations. After each failure, I noted the issues and practiced at the training ground until I could perform the actions flawlessly with my eyes closed. I recommend asking your instructor for the test footage to see if minor details were overlooked. Remember, the test feels entirely different from regular practice, and nervousness is natural—I chewed gum before my fourth attempt to calm down. The driving test is a test of patience, but once you overcome this hurdle, driving becomes much easier afterward.

[VonOlive]

With the experience of coaching over a thousand students, I can tell you that failing the driving test (Subject 3) three times is really not a big deal. Many students face this, especially those who perform well in practice but struggle during the actual test. Recently, I had a student—a middle-aged woman—who failed twice on the roadside parking and the third time forgot to brake at the zebra crossing. Later, we dedicated three afternoons to specifically train her on roadside parking, using water bottles as reference points to improve her wheel distance judgment. Now, she drives more steadily on the highway than I do. What you should do is first analyze your weak points: Is it veering off in a straight line, incorrect use of lights, or forgetting to check mirrors? Targeted practice with your instructor is the most effective. If test anxiety is an issue, try simulating the test at the actual exam site a few times. Giving up would be a shame, especially since you’ve already passed Subjects 1 and 2.

[Curtis]

A psychology teacher shared a real-life case: One of my clients nearly fell into depression after failing the driving test (Subject 3) five times in a row. But he didn’t give up. We identified the issue—his palms would sweat excessively and his mind would go blank during each test. The solution was to practice 15 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing every morning and evening, listen to soothing music half an hour before the test, and chew sugar-free mint gum before entering the exam room to stay alert. He even turned the test procedures into his phone wallpaper, silently reciting the steps while eating or brushing his teeth. By the sixth attempt, he treated the examiner like a practice partner, and his mindset was completely different. In the end, he passed with full marks. Now, when he drives his family on road trips, he often says, 'I’m so glad I didn’t give up back then.' Failing multiple times turned out to be a good thing—it exposed problems that could then be addressed with targeted solutions.

[LaOscar]

Last time I accompanied my friend for her third attempt at Subject 3 (road test), and she failed three times on the straight-line driving section. I noticed the problem was her jerky, spasmodic steering wheel movements like having a cramp. We went to practice on the airport expressway service road over the weekend, using a smartphone level app placed on the dashboard while maintaining 40 km/h to practice subtle steering adjustments. The key points were keeping arms relaxed and focusing vision about 200 meters ahead. For frequent turn signal mistakes, I taught her to mark the steering wheel with colored tape as visual guides. Now she can maintain directional stability even on bumpy roads. If light operations are confusing, I suggest reciting the operation sequence with eyes closed during daily showers. Technical issues are all solvable—the key is finding training methods that suit you. You've already completed 80% of the journey; giving up now means you won't even make it out of the beginner stage.

[Alyssa]

Recently, I've been helping my young neighbor prepare for his third driving test attempt after failing three times and wanting to give up. I did the math for him: the total cost of the driver's license exams is over 5,000 yuan, so quitting would mean throwing that money away. Reapplying would mean waiting another six months, plus an extra 2,000 yuan in retest fees. Compared to my own experience of failing four times, each retest allowed me to get more familiar with the clutch depth and brake pressure of the test car—by the fourth attempt, I drove more steadily than the examiner. Every pitfall you encounter is valuable experience; for example, after stalling due to nervousness the first time, you'll know to press the clutch deeper when starting next time. I suggested he jot down all his failure points in his phone's notes and review them before the next test. Those who persist will eventually get their license, while those who quit can only watch others save time by driving to work.