How many times did you take your driving test before you passed?
One person has spent a staggering £1,700 on 74 driving theory
tests and is still to pass, reveals a new Freedom Of Information
request made by AA Driving School.
Data released from the DVSA* shows that more than 9,000 people
needed between 10 and 20 attempts to pass their theory test. Nine
people have taken over 50 theory tests are still to pass.
When it comes to the practical test, more than 13,000 candidates
took between 10 and 20 attempts to get the all clear from an
examiner, while 269 needed over 20 attempts and 16 more than 30
attempts.
Provisional drivers requiring multiple tests isn't just
frustrating for them, but costly too. Theory tests cost £23 a go,
and practical tests cost £62 during weekday daytimes, or £75
during evenings, weekends and bank holidays. The most number of
theory tests was 60 attempts, costing those drivers £1,380
meanwhile drivers taking 43 practical tests were charged £2,666.
Car? L Plates? Didn't think I'd need them!
AA Driving School can also reveal that thousands of practical
test spaces were lost due to a catalogue of basic errors. More
than 6,000 people turned up for their practical test either
without a vehicle or with a vehicle the examiner deemed not
suitable. On top of that 252 drivers arrived with a vehicle
without displaying L Plates and 604 failed the basic eyesight
test.
This means 20 test slots a day were wasted at a time where the
practical exam backlog is extensive. Previously, AA Driving
School revealed that the average waiting time for a practical
driving test is around 18 weeks, compared to 6 weeks before the
pandemic**. Those who fail the practical have to wait 28 days
before they can book another.
Camilla Benitz, MD of AA Driving School, said;
“The key to passing any exam is to be fully prepared. At a time
when the backlog only seems to be growing, these simple errors
are blocking drivers who are ready to pass but cannot find a
test.
“Learning to drive can be expensive at the best of times. Drivers
arriving unprepared for their theory and practical tests doesn't
just hurt their bank balance, but also the wallets of test-ready
learners. The inability to obtain a slot means some are still
having lessons when they could have their full licence.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* FOI details available on request
** Failure To Fix Driving
Test Backlog | AA (theaa.com)
