r/AskAGerman • u/viv0506 • Feb 28 '26
Education Failed Driving License Practice 2 Times
I failed my driving license practicals twice,
For 1st attempt instructor told me that I am driving too slow 24-25Kmph in 30 zone.
For 2nd attempt instructor told me that I am driving too fast 54-55KMPH in 50 zone.
I am totally confused because in my first attempt there were so many cars parked both the sides and I was scared that someone might come up suddenly so I was driving every slow.
And for 2nd attempt, instructor told me to driving at 50KMPH and I had to overtake one car to maintain this speed and that other car may also travelling at 48-50KMPH. So I had to accelerate to overtake and maintain 50KMPH.
I feel very upset and disappointed.
Is it same for everyone or because the instructions are not foreigners friendly?
Can anyone please advice me to get things correct.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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u/LordArtax Feb 28 '26
Are you sure you failed the first one just for driving 5 km/h too slow? That sounds rather weird to me. Maybe there was another reason. The second one you definitely failed. There was no reason whatsoever to overtake a car driving just 2 km/h slower, and for you to accelerate above 50 in a 50 km/h zone.
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u/viv0506 Feb 28 '26
Yes, the instructor told me that I am driving too slow without any reasons but there were so many cars parked on both the sides
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u/madrigal94md Feb 28 '26
You didn't have to overtake that car. You decided to do it. If you have to go over the speed limit to overtake, you simply dont overtake.
If the car in front of you is slower than the speed limit. Just chill behind them.
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u/pokemonfitness1420 Feb 28 '26
You should always try to be at the limit, not below and not above. If you are trying to pass someone, you still shouldn't be above the speed!
If you cant understand that, then the instructor failed you correctly.
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u/maxinator80 Feb 28 '26
They are known to be very strict and sometimes fail people for small mistakes (though of course not all examiners are like that). In general, they pay close attention to speed, right of way, signalling, shoulder checks (Schulterblick), and keeping a safe distance from the car in front. These are basic things, but this is exactly where they look for minor errors. You should never exceed the speed limit, even by 1 km/h. If you need to accelerate to overtake and that means going over the limit, it’s better not to overtake at all. Staying within the limit is more important than maintaining a certain speed. Driving 25 in a 30 zone should not automatically be a reason to fail, especially if there were cars parked on both sides and you were being cautious. However, if you are driving significantly below the speed limit for a valid reason, it helps to say that out loud during the exam. Otherwise, the examiner may think you are insecure rather than cautious. For example, during my exam it was raining, and I told the examiner that I would not drive faster than 100 km/h on the Autobahn because of the weather. I would suggest talking to your driving teacher and asking for detailed feedback. They can give you a third perspective and tell you exactly what you need to improve. You can also ask to practice difficult areas near the exam route. Instructors usually know which spots are tricky and can help you prepare for them more confidently.
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u/iTmkoeln Feb 28 '26
My driving instructor told me when I started to fall into doubts:
Look Mr. Itm
You see all the other drivers on the road. Even if it doesn’t look like it sometimes, most of them actually passed their license and didn’t win it in a lottery.
Now tell me a reason why they got their license and you could not.
- < nothing >
Thought so because there is none.
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u/viv0506 Feb 28 '26
Your comment just opened my eyes, now I will stop blaming and start focusing on my upcoming exam
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u/Muted-Arrival-3308 Feb 28 '26
The test ia based on points, you did more than that. The fact that you don’t shows deep lack of understanding of the process.
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u/Joris119 Feb 28 '26
I find it really odd that the instructor let you fail the first time for driving 5 k/mh under the 30 limit. However, driving over the limit to overtake another car is an absolute no go. During no overtaking attempt should you drive over the speed limit. The first instructor was an ass, drive like you used to and you'll probably pass. You're obviously allowed to adjust your speed in relation to traffic.
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u/Merion Feb 28 '26
Not really that odd, he probably noticed the insecurity OP described himself. The exam is basically about whether the examiner feels OP is ready to drive alone in real traffic. If someone is afraid to drive 30 km/h on a normal street without any particular obstacles, they are probably not confident enough yet to be let loose on the road on their own.
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u/iTmkoeln Feb 28 '26
Well Speedo 30 is already in reality as low as 27 (10% less)
25 will be as low as 23
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u/Ok_University_2542 Feb 28 '26
Some TÜV instructors can be .. lets be nice and say tough. Clear your mind and drive as best as you can try to practice more and don’t lose hope. This happens, as an encouraging thought, your driver’s license is already printed and ready pass that test and all is behind you. Hope you get a not so sticky instructor next time! Good luck
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u/TRACYOLIVIA14 Feb 28 '26 edited Feb 28 '26
It's not all about some kind of racism or prejudgement !!! Germany is the country with no speed limit on the autobahn and there are no more crashes or deaths than in other countries because germans take it very serious. I also hear from foreigners that they are surprised how organised and disciplin they drive .
rules are rules
If you drive significantly under the limit without an immediate hazard, you become a hazard yourself. You may cause trailing drivers to become impatient and make risky overtakes. And when you drive to slow on a empty street you seem insecure and not in control of the vehicle thats why they use to fail you.
If the car in front is going 48 km/h in a 50 Zone, they are driving perfectly fine. Overtaking them requires you to hit 55km/h to pass safely, which is an automatic speeding violation.
You prioritized the target speed over the speed limit.
you drove unsafe END OF STORY don't try to make it some discrimination issue . Understand the seriousness !!!
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u/viv0506 Feb 28 '26
I am sorry if it feels like I am making any discrimination issues but I felt very upset and disappointed, I will start focusing on myself
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u/TRACYOLIVIA14 Feb 28 '26
I'm sorry you failed and I get your frustration . And yes they are strict but driving a car is not a joke . Some countries let you pass even when you are not ready . Germany is strict and don't let you pass easily .
Germany consistently ranks among the safest countries globally for road travel.
Ordnung muss sein !!!
It isn’t that the rules are biased against foreigners, but rather that the cultural tolerance for error is zero.
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u/viv0506 Feb 28 '26
Yeah, or maybe it is my challenge to get a pass because it's the best drivers license on the planet earth ☺️
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u/TRACYOLIVIA14 Feb 28 '26
try to prantice in your head when you sit in a bus or as a passanger . Put yourself in the mindset of a driver as often as you can before your next test . And good luck . You will pass it ☺️ and then you can be really proud of yourself
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u/Nicholas_Maduro_1337 Feb 28 '26
Drive slower
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u/blacksabbath-n-roses Feb 28 '26
I failed the practical test 5 times, mostly because of severe anxiety, but it was the same asshole examiner on 3 occasions, so that probably played a role too.
Others have already explained your mistakes. Let me just say that you, too, will pass your test. Very likely on the third attempt, but it's totally fine to take four attempts. A bit costly maybe, but nobody will care once you have your license.
And the real learning comes with experience.
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u/Dev_Sniper Germany Feb 28 '26
If it‘s 30: drive 28-30 in the exam and ~35 in regular traffic.
If it‘s 50: drive 48-50 in the exam and ~55 in regular traffic.
That‘s not illegal btw, cars HAVE to overreport speed and usually that‘s 3-5km/h. So when you‘re driving 55 you‘re actually driving 50. The speed limit. If you drive 24km/h you‘re actually driving ~20km/h. Which is 2/3 of the speed limit and thus to slow. That being said in exams examiners prefer you stick to the speed the speedometer shows because they‘d rather have you drive a little bit too slow than having you drive over the speed limit. But if you then remove another 3-5km/h you become too slow. Being an obstacle leads to dangerous situations and that‘s usually worse than being a little bit too fast (although that‘s obviously a big no in the exam)
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Feb 28 '26
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u/Dev_Sniper Germany Feb 28 '26
No. The legal speed limit is 30 / 50 / …
The cars speedometer is irrelevant. Which is why they overreport the speed. If you were going 55 and the car said you‘re going 50 that would be an issue. Which is why the car might say you‘re going 55 but you‘re actually going 50 which is the legal limit.
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u/SilverInjury Feb 28 '26
The rest of the comment is a very accurate description of why. You should read the whole thing.
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Feb 28 '26
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u/SilverInjury Feb 28 '26
No the car is not showing the actual speed they're going. That's simply a fact. You don't have to drive faster than your comfortable with but the comment is correct.
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Feb 28 '26
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u/Dev_Sniper Germany Feb 28 '26
If your car says you‘re going 50, you‘re actually going 45. if your car says you‘re going 55 you‘re going 50. That‘s not over the speed limit, it‘s the speed limit. It‘s entirely legal to drive the speed limit. Even if your car says you‘re faster than you actually are. If the other measuring tool underreports and you exceed the speed limit you‘re out of luck though
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u/SilverInjury Feb 28 '26
I'm not encouraging anyone to do anything. The fact that the car doesn't go 50 if the car says 50 doesn't change. It's not a secret either. Anybody can do with that information whatever they choose to do.
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Feb 28 '26
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u/Merion Feb 28 '26
It’s not a “secret speed thing”. Cars calculate speed from wheel rotation, and tyre wear/pressure slightly change the measurement. Since speedometers are legally not allowed to under-report speed, they’re calibrated to show a bit more than the real speed.
That doesn’t mean you should speed, just that indicated 55 is often near 50 in reality.
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u/Telemoon1 Feb 28 '26
Could you please share how much money does it cost for both attempts.
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u/viv0506 Feb 28 '26
150€ for theory and practical.
For 2nd time it is 125€ only for practical test
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Feb 28 '26
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u/viv0506 Feb 28 '26
Yeah, I felt like my driving school instructor deliberately failing me, after talking with TÜV officials 😅
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u/Merion Feb 28 '26
if you cannot overtake a car while maintaining the speed limit, do not overtake. Least of all during a driving exam. They do not want you to drive too slow because it feels like you are scared of driving. But if there is a car in front of you, you can of course stay at their speed.