37 weeks pregnant- Driving test next week! - Advice

gazjess · 07-11-2009, 19:15

Hi guys

By the way i am a female using my partners login. I am 37 weeks pregnant, due on the 2nd of december and i have my driving test booked for the 17th of november. Im having real problems reaching the clutch as my stomach is so large i have to put the seat back further (but im also very short so i havnt got long legs) and i was just wondering if any other pregnant ladies on here have taken their driving test while pregnant and wether the examiner was leniant with you? I know it was silly of me to book my test for now, but i booked it months ago and didnt realise my stomach would get so big as it has that i would affect my driving! Ahh dear im very stressed out.. any advice would be much appriciated thanks

susie-4964 · 07-11-2009, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazjess

Hi guys

By the way i am a female using my partners login. I am 37 weeks pregnant, due on the 2nd of december and i have my driving test booked for the 17th of november. Im having real problems reaching the clutch as my stomach is so large i have to put the seat back further (but im also very short so i havnt got long legs) and i was just wondering if any other pregnant ladies on here have taken their driving test while pregnant and wether the examiner was leniant with you? I know it was silly of me to book my test for now, but i booked it months ago and didnt realise my stomach would get so big as it has that i would affect my driving! Ahh dear im very stressed out.. any advice would be much appriciated thanks

I don't want to be mean here, but to be honest with you, if I was the driving examiner, I'd send you back home. You can't reach the clutch properly. You can't reach the pedals properly. How are you going to do an emergency stop? I would be absolutely horrified if any examiner was "lenient" with you - you should be judged by the same standards as anyone else.

Cancel the test, keep practising, and take the test when the baby's arrived. Even if you'd passed your test, you aren't safe to drive right now, I'm afraid.

ladydragon · 07-11-2009, 19:34

Same as Susie from me...

I'm familiar with the 'where the hell did this stomach come from' scenario but that's just the way the cookie has crumbled unfortunately...

You don't sound a particularly safe driver right now given your limitations and you certainly shouldn't anticipate (or receive) any leniency...

Do away with the stress and just cancel would be my advice - concentrate on babe's arrival and then get back in the driving seat so to speak...

fi~ · 07-11-2009, 19:41

i'd see if you could reschedule the test date tbh my friend is due on the 24th nov and shes finding driving a struggle and shes been driving for over 15 years

jimmy7bellies · 07-11-2009, 19:46

Yeh cancel, even if you could reach the pedals fine you could give birth early, aren't you meant to take it easy in the closing weeks and avoid getting stressed out (which a driving test does at the best of times, let alone when you're ready to pop).

Dakota. · 07-11-2009, 19:49

I thought the maximum amount of weeks pregnant to take your test was 20 weeks

83ray1 · 07-11-2009, 19:54

Getting into a car, let alone driving one in your condition is preposterous

rickead2000 · 07-11-2009, 20:17

I've just done a bit of googling and the general consensus (from people's personal experiences) is that if you look heavily pregnant, the examiner will just refuse to test you and send you home.

I would personally cancel it now, and get your money back (if you still can?) than risk turning up and being sent home and definitely lose your money

spangledangle · 07-11-2009, 20:40

dont really know why every pregnant woman should be penalisd. I was still driving at 41 weeks pregnant. it never really struck me as not sensible. although contraryto the OP I have long arms and legs so was ok from that point of view. I guess if i'd have had an accident i might have regretted the decision, but i almost felt safer than the risk of falling over or being bumped into on the street.

alsmama · 07-11-2009, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by spangledangle

dont really know why every pregnant woman should be penalisd. I was still driving at 41 weeks pregnant. it never really struck me as not sensible. although contraryto the OP I have long arms and legs so was ok from that point of view. I guess if i'd have had an accident i might have regretted the decision, but i almost felt safer than the risk of falling over or being bumped into on the street.

Me too ... I drove right up to the day I gave birth both times. However I wouldn't recommend taking a driving test at that point! Especially if you already know you're struggling to reach the pedals!

Xassy · 07-11-2009, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by spangledangle

dont really know why every pregnant woman should be penalisd. I was still driving at 41 weeks pregnant. it never really struck me as not sensible.

Driving is one thing, taking a driving test is quite another.

Sorry, OP but it's not a good idea right now. Your test can wait. The safety of you, your baby and others is paramount.

susie-4964 · 07-11-2009, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by spangledangle

dont really know why every pregnant woman should be penalisd. I was still driving at 41 weeks pregnant. it never really struck me as not sensible. although contraryto the OP I have long arms and legs so was ok from that point of view. I guess if i'd have had an accident i might have regretted the decision, but i almost felt safer than the risk of falling over or being bumped into on the street.

Quite agree with you, I'm also tall and I wasn't that big, I drove myself to the hospital with the second one! So yes, it wouldn't apply to every pregnant woman, but if being pregnant stops you from controlling the car properly, you shouldn't drive, end of story.

Chilli Dragon · 07-11-2009, 21:24

My mum passed her driving test at 38 weeks pregnant with my brother...but then, she could reach everything she needed to.

stickler · 07-11-2009, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsmama

Me too ... I drove right up to the day I gave birth both times. However I wouldn't recommend taking a driving test at that point! Especially if you already know you're struggling to reach the pedals!

TBH, if you couldn't reach the pedals or were having trouble sitting behind the wheel, you shouldn't be driving at all, test or no test.

lemonbun · 07-11-2009, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by spangledangle

dont really know why every pregnant woman should be penalisd. I was still driving at 41 weeks pregnant. it never really struck me as not sensible. although contraryto the OP I have long arms and legs so was ok from that point of view. I guess if i'd have had an accident i might have regretted the decision, but i almost felt safer than the risk of falling over or being bumped into on the street.

Being an expreienced driver at 41 weeks pregnant is quite different from being a very inexpreienced driver and taking the test when heavily pregnant.

The question of safety if you had an accident also needs to consider everyone else you may hit in the process.

gazjess · 07-11-2009, 22:36

Thanks for all your replies, I wasnt planning on driving straight away if i did pass, as obviously i could go into labour at any point. I've got one last driving lesson next week so il ask my instructor what she thinks i should do. Might just get some wedges stuck on my shoes so I can reach lol only joking. Your all probably right tho, cancelling is the best idea!!

stickler · 07-11-2009, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazjess

Thanks for all your replies, I wasnt planning on driving straight away if i did pass, as obviously i could go into labour at any point. I've got one last driving lesson next week so il ask my instructor what she thinks i should do. Might just get some wedges stuck on my shoes so I can reach lol only joking. Your all probably right tho, cancelling is the best idea!!

I don't think you should even be on the road doing lessons if I'm honest. Sorry, but I think your instructor would be irresponsible allowing you on the road if you can barely reach the pedals, not just for your own safety but for that of other road users.

evamoo · 07-11-2009, 23:57

i was driving round the night before giving birth. however if your struggling to reach it'll probably be a waste of money, its hard enough to pass first time, with nerves etc, let alone with other problems.

jimmy7bellies · 08-11-2009, 00:38

Hang on I don't think anyone really means pregnant women shouldn't drive at all, however if it's stopping you reaching the pedals as in the OP's case then of course you shouldn't drive that seems highly dangerous to even try! Also if you all ready drive and are pregnant it's a bit different still being a learner and going in for your test heavily pregnant even if you can reach all the pedals ok, not sure I'd fancy doing a driving test knowing I might end up going into labour halfway through it.

horseychick28 · 08-11-2009, 08:23

I'd wait until after I'd given birth tbh, saying that I was still driving at 42 weeks pregnant but my bump was pretty neat luckily and I wasn't likely to give birth in minutes like on tele!

magnetictiger · 08-11-2009, 11:13

Also, I thought it wasn't advisable to do an emergency stop while pregnant?

sazzysuzie · 08-11-2009, 13:16

Hi, i took my 1st driving test the week before i gave birth..

I had no problems reaching the pedals etc & i myself am a short arse.
Although i did fail i felt it wasnt down to being pregnant it was down to silly mistakes that i made.

If u feel that u cant drive confidently or competently then please do us all a favour and dont!!! lol

There is plenty of time to do your test after the baby. I sat mine a month after my son was born and passed!

Just do what u feel is for the best. Good luck with everything !

BluseyLou · 08-11-2009, 13:41

I very recently had my baby and from about 10 weeks before the birth I stopped using my car it was very hard for me to do as I am a car baby and love my one so much but even from that stage I could reach the peddles and was having difficulty reaching the clutch too so I knew the only option I had was to stop driving

.

My advice would be don't take your test or any more lessons until after the baby is born for the saftey of yourself ,your baby and other road users it would be the best thing .

TWS · 08-11-2009, 13:48

If you cannot reach the controls then it is not safe for you or other people for you to get behind the wheel

I too was driving on the day i gave birth but i did not have a single moment of doubt that i was competent to do so, never had a problem with my bump or reaching the pedals.

squidsin · 08-11-2009, 14:07

Check your insurance and that of the driving test centre - some car insurance companies don't cover heavily pregnant women so it may not actually be legal for you to do your test now.

07-11-2009, 19:15	#1
gazjess Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 48	37 weeks pregnant- Driving test next week! Hi guys By the way i am a female using my partners login. I am 37 weeks pregnant, due on the 2nd of december and i have my driving test booked for the 17th of november. Im having real problems reaching the clutch as my stomach is so large i have to put the seat back further (but im also very short so i havnt got long legs) and i was just wondering if any other pregnant ladies on here have taken their driving test while pregnant and wether the examiner was leniant with you? I know it was silly of me to book my test for now, but i booked it months ago and didnt realise my stomach would get so big as it has that i would affect my driving! Ahh dear im very stressed out.. any advice would be much appriciated thanks

07-11-2009, 19:34	#3
ladydragon Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: God's Country Posts: 2,677	Same as Susie from me... I'm familiar with the 'where the hell did this stomach come from' scenario but that's just the way the cookie has crumbled unfortunately... You don't sound a particularly safe driver right now given your limitations and you certainly shouldn't anticipate (or receive) any leniency... Do away with the stress and just cancel would be my advice - concentrate on babe's arrival and then get back in the driving seat so to speak...

07-11-2009, 19:41	#4
fi~ Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Services: virgin media tv phone broadband Posts: 4,605	i'd see if you could reschedule the test date tbh my friend is due on the 24th nov and shes finding driving a struggle and shes been driving for over 15 years

07-11-2009, 19:46	#5
jimmy7bellies Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,163	Yeh cancel, even if you could reach the pedals fine you could give birth early, aren't you meant to take it easy in the closing weeks and avoid getting stressed out (which a driving test does at the best of times, let alone when you're ready to pop).

07-11-2009, 19:49	#6
Dakota. Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Services: Team Olly! Posts: 7,797	I thought the maximum amount of weeks pregnant to take your test was 20 weeks

07-11-2009, 19:54	#7
83ray1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,367	Getting into a car, let alone driving one in your condition is preposterous

07-11-2009, 20:17	#8
rickead2000 Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 523	I've just done a bit of googling and the general consensus (from people's personal experiences) is that if you look heavily pregnant, the examiner will just refuse to test you and send you home. I would personally cancel it now, and get your money back (if you still can?) than risk turning up and being sent home and definitely lose your money

07-11-2009, 20:40	#9
spangledangle Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 651	dont really know why every pregnant woman should be penalisd. I was still driving at 41 weeks pregnant. it never really struck me as not sensible. although contraryto the OP I have long arms and legs so was ok from that point of view. I guess if i'd have had an accident i might have regretted the decision, but i almost felt safer than the risk of falling over or being bumped into on the street.

07-11-2009, 21:24	#13
Chilli Dragon Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Au nord de l'Angleterre Services: De-stressing, hopefully Posts: 21,541	My mum passed her driving test at 38 weeks pregnant with my brother...but then, she could reach everything she needed to.

07-11-2009, 22:36	#16
gazjess Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 48	Thanks for all your replies, I wasnt planning on driving straight away if i did pass, as obviously i could go into labour at any point. I've got one last driving lesson next week so il ask my instructor what she thinks i should do. Might just get some wedges stuck on my shoes so I can reach lol only joking. Your all probably right tho, cancelling is the best idea!!

07-11-2009, 23:57	#18
evamoo Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: bridgend Posts: 4,382	i was driving round the night before giving birth. however if your struggling to reach it'll probably be a waste of money, its hard enough to pass first time, with nerves etc, let alone with other problems.

08-11-2009, 00:38	#19
jimmy7bellies Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,163	Hang on I don't think anyone really means pregnant women shouldn't drive at all, however if it's stopping you reaching the pedals as in the OP's case then of course you shouldn't drive that seems highly dangerous to even try! Also if you all ready drive and are pregnant it's a bit different still being a learner and going in for your test heavily pregnant even if you can reach all the pedals ok, not sure I'd fancy doing a driving test knowing I might end up going into labour halfway through it.

08-11-2009, 08:23	#20
horseychick28 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,294	I'd wait until after I'd given birth tbh, saying that I was still driving at 42 weeks pregnant but my bump was pretty neat luckily and I wasn't likely to give birth in minutes like on tele!

08-11-2009, 11:13	#21
magnetictiger Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,064	Also, I thought it wasn't advisable to do an emergency stop while pregnant?

08-11-2009, 13:16	#22
sazzysuzie Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Home Services: Virgin Media V+ Posts: 822 Blog Entries: 5	Hi, i took my 1st driving test the week before i gave birth.. I had no problems reaching the pedals etc & i myself am a short arse. Although i did fail i felt it wasnt down to being pregnant it was down to silly mistakes that i made. If u feel that u cant drive confidently or competently then please do us all a favour and dont!!! lol There is plenty of time to do your test after the baby. I sat mine a month after my son was born and passed! Just do what u feel is for the best. Good luck with everything !

08-11-2009, 13:41	#23
BluseyLou Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Feeling Much Better Thankyou Posts: 8,802	I very recently had my baby and from about 10 weeks before the birth I stopped using my car it was very hard for me to do as I am a car baby and love my one so much but even from that stage I could reach the peddles and was having difficulty reaching the clutch too so I knew the only option I had was to stop driving . My advice would be don't take your test or any more lessons until after the baby is born for the saftey of yourself ,your baby and other road users it would be the best thing .

08-11-2009, 13:48	#24
TWS Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 2,214	If you cannot reach the controls then it is not safe for you or other people for you to get behind the wheel I too was driving on the day i gave birth but i did not have a single moment of doubt that i was competent to do so, never had a problem with my bump or reaching the pedals.

08-11-2009, 14:07	#25
squidsin Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 6,527	Check your insurance and that of the driving test centre - some car insurance companies don't cover heavily pregnant women so it may not actually be legal for you to do your test now.