So in this episode, we are welcoming back David from season one to find out how he got on with his last driving assessment. So welcome back, David.

Thank you, Tracy. Thanks very much.

Good evening, David.

Hi, Kevin.

So tell us all about it.

Well, I had four tests, or took four assessments. And, on the fifth one, I took a completely different approach. I looked at rather than sort of looking at the examiner, what he may do or what he might not do or something like that. I literally, I printed off all the test assessment results. And analyzed them. It was almost like your podcast last week. I forget what you called it actually, about where you go deep into things and examine, it was almost like a

detective work.

yeah, detective. So I was almost like a detective really. And why, why was I not getting over the line? You know, what were the reasons so. I printed them all off. I went on Google. I retraced all the, the test, uh, what I did, where I went wrong. The fifth one, I got very close and I think it was one silly little thing. I got to, a one way street. And for some reason I went to the, I think it was the right or the left. I can't remember, when I shouldn't have done. And I wasn't, I wasn't demoralized actually the fifth one cuz I knew I was close. I knew I had it. It was only a matter of time. It's funny cause I didn't have a lot of time to think about it. And I think that fell in my favor very little bit. Took the pressure of. My, uh, instructor literally called me on the Monday to say, do you want to do your test or assessment, I call it on the Friday. And I thought, oh, don't gimme a lot of time to prepare. But then I thought, well, I am prepared. You know, let let's just get on with it. I also added added pressure of, my theory running out. At the end of August, I used all these things to kind of motivate me and get me over the line. I used a bit of, mindfulness, talking to myself a little bit night before, I said, you've got this. My wife said, you've got this. And I just kept saying to myself throughout that 24 hours. You've got these, don't worry. Don't stress. And it's funny the morning, because it was like seven o'clock in the morning. I also didn't have time to, I literally just got up at six o'clock and just did it And I think that was kind of took the pressure off and all these little things I put in my favor to try and get over the line. And it's funny when I got back to the test center after, uh, I pulled into the, the test center car park and he, the examiner said to me, David, I've gotta tell you, I'm not supposed to tell you until right, right at the end of the test, but you've passed your face is like, cause I associated with this parking in front of the test center as failing. My brain had sort of programmed me to think that, and I got in front of it and he said, no, you've passed almost burst into tears. You know, it was like, I knew I had it. It was just a matter of time.

And I remember you saying about that, that where you parked that you parked somewhere different. I remember you saying that in that episode

Yeah, exactly.

So, so so in the end that didn't turn out to be the case

No, no. And I said, but I always come in front of this test center and I've, I failed. And he said, that's not necessarily. So, so maybe I should tell others, you know, uh, because maybe they think the same. You don't know.

Well, first off, congratulations. Yes.

Thank you. Thank. Thanks.

That's really, really good. And what came through there was, I am prepared that you've done your detective work and you felt prepared, even though your instructor had said, look, it's Friday and the first thought was I haven't got time to prepare, but then it's like, oh, I have.

I didn't really do a, a lesson beforehand. As well, I just literally did a 10 minutes at parallel park. A couple of sort of maneuvers. I think that helped me. It is probably just me. I need to just get on with it rather than overthink it, some people are doing 40 minutes, like a lesson before, I actually think that's probably not a good idea for me personally.

I think that's a question you had asked us previously as well, hadn't it? We'd corresponded about that. And our response to that was it's different for everybody. Everybody is so unique

Mm.

that there is no, there is no real answer for that.

I did a lot of Googling with that question, actually, Tracy, and it, and it was always coming out and I, I did ask a few people just to sort of, but then I thought, you know, I've gotta do it for myself. You know, whatever. I feel comfortable with whatever I need to do to get over the line. I'll do it. You know? And I think that if I had a lesson, it was about perseverance and not giving up. I mean, there are times when I could have given up, but I just didn't wanna sort of go through life and think, do you know what I could have had that license I could have got through?

Brilliant. Yeah, that's fantastic. Yes. And that's almost like a numbers game. I've heard people say before, and it's just, you know, you can drive, it's just in that situation and it's, what can I do? That's gonna make the next one better. What can I do? That's gonna improve me. And that's what I'm hearing from you.

Yeah. Cause often I, I think it was a little bit nervous, you know? Cause it's funny on the, on the one I passed, I got out the test center. I got to the, the junction I went to turn, right. I slightly hesitated with a traffic that was turning left and right. And I thought, do you know what I dunno? That might be a serious, might be a major, might just be a minor. So I just reprogrammed myself. Stop, just got on with it. Carried on. Where I think before I would tend to let it linger in and probably make more mistakes.

So I love that. That's those negative thoughts are there, but you controlled them. You managed them as I've been saying to people this week, you've managed those thoughts and turned them into a positive one.

Yeah, exactly. Because I think a lot of it is driving is driving. You've gotta be safe. You've gotta be comfortable. You gotta be, uh, calm, but also I think there's a psychological thing to it.

Hundred percent. Oh, definitely. Most definitely. Yeah. And it is, it's a combination of all sorts of things. And I love that you. Did that detective work printed out those past assessments and actually looking for patterns, looking for whether there are. Similar things that happen again and again, because that gives you a plan of action of, oh, I've had the same minor each time, or,

Yeah, exactly.

patterns give you something to work on, don't they?

Yeah.

And so that's the driving side and then yeah, that not making assumptions just because a mistake happens or it doesn't go quite plan.

Mm.

It doesn't always, you know, you can't make the assumption that that's a fail.

Yeah, exactly. I think that plan of action really put together, you know, and I worked on it throughout that few days. I know it's a few days, but that. that was significant for me planning, what am I gonna do? How I'm gonna feel, you know, what I'm gonna do if this happens, if that happens.

That's that's fantastic. And that's, it's sometimes we always talk about the positives and replay positive images in your mind, but sometimes it's about putting a little spanner in the works and saying, well, what would I do if this happened? What would I do if that happened and replay those as well? So again, you become more confident in that area.

Yeah, I had, I had a slight image in my head. What if I didn't get it through on the sixth on? And then I thought, how do you know what? I might beat myself up for a, um, a day or two, but I'll get back on the horse and. I remember not my instructor, but the instructor with another driving school, he said, in the actual test center while I was waiting, he said to me, you gonna pass, you know, I said, I've got this and I don't know by also telling him someone else who, I didn't know, stranger also put a confidence. In my head, you know, that I have got it. You know,

Brilliant. Did you see the other instructor when you got back?

I didn't no. Cause I didn't I was so emotional. I just, I was like just wanting to get home and just share the news, you know?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, course. And I also like that point of doing an early test. Which doesn't give you time to brew it. Doesn't give you time to ruminate and worry and, and stir things up too much. Like you say, you didn't have a lot of time to overthink things either in the run up or on the morning itself. So you just had to get on with it is the way you described it. And yeah, I think that's really helpful.

Yeah. Cause a lot of them I had like late afternoon or something like that. Sometimes you, your brain's a funny thing, as, you know, you can just sort of think to yourself something and that small thing can put a spanner in your works as it were.

Yeah. Yeah. And it's the phrase that Springs to mind, if you always do what you always do, you get the same results. Don't you.

Yeah. Yeah. And that thought Kev was in my head as I, I didn't pass the fifth one and. I'm doing something I'm not doing, I'm not doing it wrong, but there's something I'm not doing to get over the line.

Yeah. And that little bit of detective work to find that little bit of something.

Yeah. And not telling anyone at all. I mean, there was three people that literally knew, you know, well, four examiner instructor, my wife, son, some no one else, you know?

Yeah. So how's the drive-in since.

Okay. So we are sharing the car at the moment because it takes time to buy. Now get the right one. I did find one. I was gonna look at it Sunday, but, uh, the dealer called me to say gone, but. You know, uh, it, it is funny cuz when I'm driving our car, it's completely different to the car that I've driven, during learning. And I didn't realize that as well. It's not that it's wider. It's just different. It drives different, it reacts different.

Yeah.

So I'm kind of getting used to that That car, our car, you know? But it's, it's nice to be able to say, I can go to Tesco today. I don't, I don't need my wife or I to pick me up. I can just literally do it myself. I can go to my moms, you know, and it's that kind of independence.

Love it. Nice. Isn't it? That's a, I can see it on your face there, you know, that it's like, yeah. A big smile.

you know, I've Al I'm already sort of planning what, bigger trips I can go to probably smaller Cambridge. First of all, I like to go to, and, even, going to Cornwall, something like that later on is just in your sort of mind your image when you per first get that pink license. Okay. So I've got there. What I'm gonna do now and you, you're still learning cause I'm still picking up stuff when I'm driving with others or I'm looking around, you know, and things like that.

Yeah. And that learning never stops

No. Sure. Yeah.

yeah. Yeah, no, it really doesn't. I, I, I'm still learning things. When you say them on the podcast.

So the biggest thing that. I want to be now I've got my license, he's a calm driver and a safe driver, you know? And your podcast has definitely been instrumental in helping me get over the line, you know? So I almost feel like you are kind of two friends that I've, you know, got, got to know quite well.

Oh, that's lovely. Thank you very much. Yeah. And that's the whole point of the podcast. It was to help people. We that we wouldn't normally have a chance to help, you know, that people that all over the country can, or I suppose podcast go worldwide their company. Yes. Yeah, they do. Yeah. Um, but that's the sort of thing he's, we've only, I can only help so many people and Tracy can only help so many people, but doing a podcast

Yeah.

we've spread those wings out a little bit more to help more people. We just, the stories that you are telling us is, is just lovely for us.

Well, I used to, I took something away from it, definitely every podcast. And I still do, you know, just E even if it's something small that you've said or heard, you know,

Great. Fantastic. You've almost spoiled. My fantastic question that I had

okay.

but in a good way, cause I was gonna say, what did you get out of the podcast that helped you?

Mm,

what I suppose. To pass your test, but also to be able to be that confident, calm driver post test

I think that, the mindfulness side of it breathing, You know, breathing, before I had a lesson, cause sometimes I'll admit before lessons, I did used to get bit anxious, you know, what's gonna happen, is it gonna be really busy? What are the roundabouts gonna be like? You know, that kind of stuff. And roundabouts was my kind of nemesis really. And I'm sure for a lot of, uh, learners, it's the same.

Yeah.

But someone at work helped me with that. They said about, their experience. They said, go on Google and then draw, like you're gonna go around with a small car on Google, you know, retrace it,

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Part of your preparation and planning. Yeah. Understand it from a different perspective. Yeah. Great.

visual person be told, but I'll also. If it's on the screen, I'll get it much more.

Yeah. And that's what we do in our lessons. We use Google earth quite a lot. You can see road markings, you can see where other cars have been. You can see position of things and it's, it just makes it so much easier for people to understand.

Yeah, definitely. No, I agree with that. But I always think that things had happened for a reason. I was meant to pass when I did, uh, and all these, those years ago. It's probably gonna help me, you know, in some small way.

That made me think, do you think you were ready sort of back on test two or test three?

No, I don't. No, but I I've think Tracy, I, I didn't tell myself that and I probably went into it just think, oh, you know, I can just not just do it easily, but probably didn't put in the, the work that I should have done. If I'd be perfectly honest,

Yeah.

you know, it's almost like a. I dunno, job application and anything, if you don't put the work in you, you're not gonna get what you want out, you know? So yeah, if I I'd be honest, I don't think I'd put the work in. Not that I wasn't serious about it. I think I wasn't open to other things. Other people, their experiences, other resources like yourself, you. And I always, I would advise anyone to use everything and make it work for you. Not the way around.

that's the important thing, isn't it?

Yeah. Could you hear people say, oh, I'll pass in the first time it was a doddle or whatever. Well, that's for them, you know?

So what would be your main message then David, to other people listening, who are struggling. Who've failed a couple of tests who failed multiple tests and are beginning to feel a bit downhearted. What would be your main message to them.

I think, first of all, I'd say, take a little bit of a break. I D not too much of a break, but take a three days, four days, just do something that completely, nothing to do driving. It could be, I dunno, play football or, you know, whatever it is, do something to take your mind off. And then maybe a week later, think to yourself, Why did I, why did I not pass? Ask that question? Why did I not pass? Write it down, analyze it almost like a debriefing, I suppose, with yourself. Don't sort of think like, I probably. Oh, the examiner was a grumpy. So he had a bad day or something like that, you know, actually take responsibility for yourself. Why didn't I, and then, listen to your instructor and say, and I probably didn't do this. I probably did not say hundred percent. Am I ready? And if you're not ready, don't take the test. And I know there's a campaign is a ready to pass,

Yep. Yep.

which is another resource that I used, uh, you know, that week. Cause I think it came out either that week or before that, uh, just before I was due to take the sixth one. So yeah, that, that would be my advice. Keep going, but don't continually do something in the same vein if it's not working.

Yeah. Yeah. Brilliant. Love that love that. And that's gonna help so many more people hearing your story. I think so. Thank you for sharing. That's been. Yeah, thank you so much. And it, it really is wonderful to have people come on and tell real life stories, because I do think it is inspirational. It is what other people need sometimes just to hear those stories, hopefully resonate with them and, and for them then to feel that they can keep going.

Yeah. And also just to add, I think that get over the age thing, cuz I used to think, ah, too old, too old to drive, you know, me come on too old. And then I used to say to myself, You're not too old, never too old. And you know, and as long as you do it and you want to do it.

Age is just a number.

Exactly, exactly.

And you can do anything you want.

Yes, exactly. Kev you're right. You know, I, I mean, I've got a, I've got a levels, but I've got a degree. Uh, I've been given awards for my, the mental health side of things. And so this is another thing that I can tick off, you know?

Perfect. So you're gonna have to find a new challenge now.

Yeah, I've already thought about it. And at work, I'm probably gonna do some mentoring,

Oh, brilliant. Lovely.

I'll probably build in. Some of my experience of that, the driving and keeping on and resilience and not giving up.

Mentoring's fantastic. Cause because you'll see the benefits, both sides.

Yeah, exactly.

Well that just leaves us to say thank you again, David.

no problem.

Thank you. Congratulations. Yep. Enjoy driving.

I will. Yeah.

Enjoy finding that car.

I'll let you know.

you're gonna have to send us pictures.

I will do. Yeah. And, meeting, you has been inspirational and you've helped me a lot, so, and you've helped me. And I'm sure that as you say my story. will help others. And

Yeah.

that is why I did the, you know, the mental health to help others that are struggling. So, yeah.

Yeah. Brilliant. Thanks again, David. Yeah. Thank you.

Take care.

Thanks again to David for coming back on And given us an update on where he is with his driving, following his previous episode with us in season one. And we hope that him sharing his story will help anybody out there who's feeling a bit downhearted and hopefully give you the encouragement to keep going. If you'd like to get in touch, then all of our contact details are in the show notes as always. And until next time have a great day, whatever you're doing.