Yes I am 38 yo and I finally took my driving permit test this past Saturday. I am overcoming a horrible phobia of driving. I grew up in the city and there was no need to drive and I was never encouraged to drive by my parents. I think it was a way to control me. Anyway as I got older I was overcome with fear. But now living in the suburbs and having 3 kiddos I need to drive. Well, anyways I failed...but I am not discouraged...I now am more determined to go back this Saturday and ace it. Please wish me luck and keep me in your thoughts, I really need to the support. Thanks guys!

By Amy~moderator on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 07:48 pm:

Good luck Jayne - with a little study, you're sure to ace it!

BTW, how have you been???

By Rayanne on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 08:25 pm:

By Emily7 on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 11:02 pm:

Good luck Jayne.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 11:51 pm:

Jayne, I have only been driving since january 1996, and I was 57 when I got my license. I am sure you will do much better than I did, because I didn't pass the actual driving test until the fifth try, and in fact had to renew my permit once because it was only good for 6 months. If your permit test is like Pennsylvania's it is either written or multiple-choice on a computer screen, and some of the very key questions are related to DUI. I know in PA if you don't answer the DUI questions right you flunk the permit test no matter how well you do on the other questions, and a lot of people answer incorrectly on the question about taking a breathalyzer or blood test. In PA you don't actually have a choice about taking those tests - when you get your license you sign a form that gives permission for those tests without any need for giving permission if you are ever stopped for suspected DUI, and a lot of people don't know that. (Amazingly, when you renew your license you sign a form indicating that you have read and understand the driving law no-no on the other side of the form, but it has to do with the fines for throwing trash out of a moving vehicle, not DUI.)

By Feona on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 06:04 am:

Good try! Keep going. Love to hear people over coming fears!

By Jayne2 on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 09:05 am:

Thanks you guys for the support! Ginny I live in NJ and yes there were alot of alcohol questions. The test is computerized, touch screen. There are 30 questions if you get 7 wrong it automatically shuts off the test, I got 7 wrong, but you what now I know what to expect...There is a site online where you can take practice test and I have been taking them...they really helped me. Conquering this is the biggest feat I have ever had to face...I never thought I would be able to.

By Robyn on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 10:59 am:

Thinking of you today & sending you lots of encouragement...I also got my driver's license later in life.

By Eve on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 11:06 am:

Janie, you can do it! I'll be thinking about you and waiting for you to announce that you passed!

By Sunny on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 12:28 pm:

Good luck! Just keep studying and practicing and you'll be fine.

By Carolk on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 01:35 pm:

Ditto Sunny. I was 19 when I first got my license. I was scared to drive because of how some people drive out there. Not that I'm perfect or anything. I actually failed my first driving test. Got it on the second try. Not a great score, but the man giving the test could tell that my mistakes were just nerves and not major mistakes that would hurt myself or anyone else. Hope it goes well for you next time.