Better luck next time!

Nicholas Myers, Sunday Gleaner Intern

Mark Davis, 19, has been driving for four years. No turn is too deep or no hill is too steep for him to navigate. However, Davis is yet to prove his skills in passing the driving test.

After failing the test twice, Davis describes the experience as traumatic.

"Getting behind the wheel was frightening. My blood pressure went up and I could feel my heart beating in my chest. I couldn't stop sweating, my palms were just wet. I gripped the steering wheel trying to think positive, but it was like I was gonna crash into a wall, and I didn't start driving yet," Davis recalls.

"It was like having butterflies in your stomach. My stomach kept turning over."

The anxiety of a driving test can be a big problem for learner drivers, no matter how well prepared you are. And, according to clinical psychologist Dr Karen Richards, the root cause of anxiety is fear.

"Anxiety could be described as the feeling of fear and trepidation. Which in many instances, are disproportionate to the event," said Dr Richards. "It is a pervasive and debilitating experience and, tends to lend to avoidance, if possible."

Anxiety attacks

Seth Grennell, driving instructor at Grennell's Driving School, said a majority of learner drivers experience anxiety attacks in varying degrees. However, most will go on to pass the test.

"Getting flustered, nervous and stressed out is normal and the reason why some people fail the driving test. Mostly relaxed students will pass on their first try," said Grennell.

"I felt nauseous during my first test, I just couldn't stay in the car. The second test, I don't know what happened, but from ma head to ma stomach, I felt bad. I can't believe I have done two driving test and failed both."

Grennell said that some persons sometimes don't normally show that they are nervous but when they are around the wheel it is a whole different ball game.

"Physically, some persons don't show they are nervous but there are cases when these same people can't even start the car," Grennell added.

A driving instructor at Key's Driving School, who wished not to be named, said as instructors they try to encourage and reassure students to relax by talking to them.

"We talk to the students making sure they're all relaxed. Sometimes, we have to tell them that they can always do the test over and easily pass."

Dr Richards, who is experienced in treating driving conditions, said anxiety management is the ideal solution.

Management

"Anxiety management will address the individual's breathing and will assist in finding a mental focal point which will serve as a form of distraction to calm the patient's thoughts. Deep breathing is important, and irrational thoughts must be challenged," he said.

The psychologist said the second time should be better, as failure teaches us a lesson.

Zachary Williams said he had failed his first driving test as his nerves had gotten the better of him. However, the second test everything was fine.

"I messed up my first test. You know what? I was terrible. I just thought about crashing I couldn't focus. The second time around I kept relaxed and things worked out."

As for Davis, he's optimistic and the third time is the charm.

"The next time I go, I'll coming back home with my licence."

In Jamaica, a learner's driver's licence is renewable each year.