Damn! I’m usually a really good driver but I got all nervous and screwed up pulling out of the parking spot. I failed before I even got out on the road. I really really suck! I guess I’m looking for sympathy and tips on how to do better next time.
I did horribly the first time I took my driver’s test too. I had the Highway Patrol Lady From Hell. The first time, I automatically failed because I missed a stop sign. The only thing is the stop sign was so short that it was hard to find in the first place. I also got counted off for not putting on my turn signal for turning into a parking space. But I did better the second time and passed with an 80%.
From,
Anake
Don’t feel too bad. I failed the first time that I went to take the test as well. Seems my parents had neglected to renew the plates on the car. Once the tester saw this, she told me to get out of the car and go back into the building, where she stamped my test with a FAILED stamp that had to be as big as a cereal box. I was quite embarassed.
I went back a month later, nervous but ready, and had no problem with the test. So, don’t worry about it. It’ll be fine.
Been there done that. They had a stop sign halfway around the road out of the RTA (licencing centre) but the sun was in the same bit of sky so I missed it, failing before leaving is a huge bummer.
Did you talk to the examiner to find out all the things that you did completely correct as well? Always good to know what they like.
Just don’t be like one of my friends who constantly sped. She sat the exam something like a dozen times (it was 11 when I left school).
So commiserations and better luck next time.
FloChi
No biggie. I failed my first time, too (didn’t look over my shoulder during the 3-point turn). Everyone gets nervous, and it happens. This gives you a little more time to practice, and now that you know how it works, it’s much easier the second time around. You’ll do fine 
How could you fail the whole test because of pulling out of a parking space? Did you hit something? Or was the tester just a bitch or dick?
Sorry Hypergirl. But don’t get too down. A driving test is a serious nerve wracking event. No one is calm for one.
Well, I didn’t fail the test, but I did have to take the class twice b/c I suck so bad at parellel parking!
It’s not a bad thing to fail the test. If you can see what your score was otherwise, do, and keep practicing!
–tygre
Its okay, far from the end of the world. While I managed to pass the first time (through no fault of my own) I lost points for:
-parallel parking
-not being able to find the radio (I didn’t listen to music while I drove, so turning the radio on and off in front of the examiner in my new car was an interesting experiance )
-going the speed limit (on a road where it is traditionally ignored, 25 per the signs, 50 per habit)
Anyway, you’ll do better next time and the great wide world of the car enhanced will be all yours!
I didn’t fail, but I came close. I got so nervous at one point that I was looking at the RPM meter instead of the speedometer (in a school zone, yet.) I passed with the equivalent of a C-minus. (I’ve been driving for more than 20 years now and never even had a speeding ticket. So there.)
I failed the first time, too. Don’t worry – it’s not the end of the world.
(Medea’s Child:
They took off points because you couldn’t find the RADIO?! Your examiner was TOUGH!)
…if it’s bad and it happened to you, it probably happened to me.
It took me THREE times to pass my test. The first time I simply could NOT parallel park on the car they wanted me to use. It was just impossible, and I failed.
The second time I did good until we were returning to the site. I was approaching a light (which I didn’t see), and I made a right turn on it, even though it had just BARELY turned green. In other words, I should have slowed way down and turned, but instead I turned like there was no signal at all. Failed.
The third time was a charm and I did fine. My only advice is not to tell anyone when you take your next test. It really saves embarassment if it isn’t successful.
Zette
PS- I passed my motorcycle test on the first try
I failed the test the first time, too. I hit the cones while I was trying to pull into the parking spot. On both attempts. I felt terrible afterward because my mom had told everyone in my family that I was getting my license that day and then I had to go back and explain why I didn’t get it.
Nerves get the best of all of us at some point. After reading the responses here I’m starting to think it’s normal to fail the first time. I’m sure you’ll do fine on the next test.
Is there any way that you can practice what you got wrong on the same test route? You might feel better if you’re familiar with the roads. After I failed the test, I spent hours figuring out a way to get a minivan into the small parking space without hitting anything. It helped, and I passed my second test the next day.
Whatever you do, try not to panic, no matter what happens. When I went back for my second test I got scared when I couldn’t get the car to move. At that point the instructor (a very nice woman, bless her) saw how nervous I was and hinted “you might want to turn on the ignition.”
Talk about embarrassing. :o
Most of the people I know (including me) failed it their first time. If they give you a scoresheet or something so that you know what you failed, take advantage of it. Not only will you know what you didn’t do well enough to pass, but you’ll also find out what they’re going to be looking for. Try not to be nervous, although it’s hard not to be when you’ve got someone who’s critiquing your driving along for the ride. I know, you can borrow my husband to practice with, he never hesitates to critique my driving. 
One guy I know parked outside the DMV until someone came out to take their driving test, then followed them around and took notes on what the inspector was having the driver do. He passed it the first time.
::looks over other responses::
Just out of curiousity … am I the only one who didn’t have to know how to parallel park? It wasn’t on my road test. I don’t even think it was on the written part.
I almost wish it had been on the test since I had to learn it later on anyway.
I failed my first time, too.
I apparently pulled “right out” in front of a truck – a truck that was so close to me (not) that it didn’t have to brake heavily or honk or anything. In fact, I never saw it AT ALL, which is actually why I think she flunked me (“You pulled out in front of that truck.” “What truck?”).
I felt SO bad – and of course I had to take rashers of crap from my brother and sister for being such a “moron” (ah, the support of siblings).
My advice is just shake it off and try not to be too nervous next time (easy to say, I know). And practice some more, if you can. You’ll ace it the next time.
Nope, you aren’t the only one, it wasn’t on my test either. This was in Los Angeles County in 1987.
I failed mine FOUR times.
The first time I will admit, was my fault. I wasn’t ready at all. Pretty much the only thing I did right was parallel park.
The second time I got stuck in an intersection turning left, and had to go through the red. I lost ten points right there. You can only lose nine. 
Same thing happened the third time.
Fourth time I made a wide right turn. That was only supposed to steal 5 points from me, but the stinky lady figured that it was ‘a habit’ and docked me as though I had done it twice.
Needless to say I was NOT impressed.
Add me to the list of first time losers.
Java, the damned 3-pointer got me as well. (I looked, but mine was more of a 27-or-so pointer).
It was 25 years ago, and I still remember it every time I pull a 3-pt turn. Damn!
Boy did you luck out! My first test I failed because I rolled through a stop (about 4 inches past the stop sign). My 2nd test was worse, I didn’t even get out of the parking lot! I was heading for the exit and “nearly” hit a car, which negated the test automatically.
What was worse, I’d already had two permits, and had to wait 6 months before I could get another, and another YEAR (this in Washington State back in '80) before I could take the test again.
Third time, no charm, alas! Flunked parallel parking.
Fourth test, I passed BARELY – and the same examiner from test #3.
I’ve never really enjoyed driving, it makes me nervous. So when I moved to the big city I gave up the car and take the bus everywhere now. Worked out great for me!
Yeah, she was a bitch. But there is also the simple fact that I’m just no good. And the strangest thing is that right before we left to take the test my dad had me parallel park between two garbage cans in the street in front of my house and I did it perfect. Arg!
So let’s put it this way…did anyone pass their test the first time?