Survey reveals over half of Brits would fail their driving test if retaken

More than 50% of British drivers admit they have not read the Highway Code since passing their driving test, despite 24 updates to the motoring bible since 2015.

To help drivers understand the gaps in their knowledge, the experts at Independent Advisor Car Insurance surveyed 2,010 drivers across the UK, spanning all ages and experience levels, to uncover common driving theory questions that baffle drivers. The research also reveals the UK regions most in need of a refresher. To tackle this issue, their car experts have provided essential driving safety tips every responsible driver needs to know behind the wheel.

88% of UK drivers fail to answer FIVE basic theory questions

• One in five drivers don’t know triangular signs indicate warning signs

• More than 50% would have failed the theory test if they retook it today

• Nearly two thirds of 17 to 24-year-olds struggle to answer at least four correctly, with one in ten getting none correct

• Greater London drivers have the worst driving know-how, while Scottish drivers are the most reliable

• Connor Campbell, expert at Independent Advisor Car Insurance, offers his top tips on responsible driving

  

The car insurance experts asked the nation five common driving theory questions in the survey:(*Questions were sourced from Theory Test and represent essential road safety knowledge)

Q1. What, if anything, do you think triangular road signs indicate?

Q2. What lights, if any, do you think are appropriate to turn on when driving on the motorway at night, when there are cars ahead of you?

Q3. What, if anything, do you think the legal speed limit on a motorway is, if no signs indicate otherwise?

Q4. When driving on a wet road, what time gap, if any, do you think you need to leave between your car and the car in front of you?

Q5. What, if anything, do you think you should do if you have to quickly slow down when driving on the motorway?

The results:

*The real theory test pass mark is 86%, in this case, we consider the pass mark to be 80%, which equates to 4 out of 5 questions answered correctly. For the full survey results, please click here.

Independent Advisor Car Insurance can reveal that of all 2,010 drivers surveyed, only one in ten (11%) could answer all five common driving theory questions correctly. With the passing threshold *set at four out of five questions, an alarming 51% would have failed the driving test if retaken.

The weakest age group was 17 to 24-year-olds. Less than one in three  (32%) provided four or more correct answers, with one in ten failing to get any correct.

The poor driving knowledge among novice drivers signals a troubling trend, especially given that drivers aged 17 to 24 were four times more likely to be in serious accidents than those over 25, according to latest government reports.

One in five Brits don’t know triangular signs indicate warning signs

While 79% of British drivers correctly identified triangular road signs as warning signs, an alarming 21% failed to decipher the basic road sign.

Notably, one in five (20.75%) believe they should turn on main beam headlights when driving on the motorway at night, which can accidentally blind drivers ahead of them and pose a hazard for other road users.

The UK regions with the worst driving know-how

The real theory test pass mark is 86%, in this case, we consider the pass mark to be 80%, which equates to 4 out of 5 questions answered correctly.

According to the survey, drivers in Greater London are the most in need of a refresher course, with 64% predicted to fail their driving test if retaken, averaging only two correct answers out of five. Following closely is Northern Ireland which hosts the second most concerning drivers on the road as 58% struggled to answer at least four driving theory questions correctly. The North East is the third most concerning place, with 56% of drivers lacking basic driving knowledge.

Scotland, on the other hand, boasts drivers with the highest road safety awareness among all regions with over 56% answering at least four questions correctly in the survey.

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Whether you’re a seasoned driver or beginner, Connor Campbell, expert at Independent Advisor Car Insurance, further provided guidance on responsible driving and staying safe on the road:

“It’s shocking how many motorists don’t know the rules  when it comes to the basics of safe driving practices. Being behind the wheel entails significant responsibility, and risking the lives of other road users due to negligence is simply unacceptable. You should adopt a defensive driving approach to minimise collision risks by focusing not only on your actions, but also your surroundings. That includes the behaviour of other drivers, pedestrians, and any obstacles on the road, not to mention adjusting your driving based on weather and road conditions.

Look 15 seconds ahead and communicate your intentions clearly while driving – remember to signal when changing lanes even if you don’t see other cars nearby. Additionally, don’t rush, and maintain a safe following distance to allow for sudden stops or unforeseen manoeuvres.

With fixed penalty notices witnessing a sharp rise since the code change in 2022, it’s also crucial to regularly revisit the Highway Code to ensure you are up-to-date with the latest road laws. This is vital for refreshing your knowledge and will help you avoid hefty fines and costly penalty points.”

Credit: https://www.independent.co.uk/advisor/car-insurance