The most challenging driving theory test questions have been revealed.

New data shows that only a fifth of qualified drivers are very confident they could pass a retake.

Department for Transport figures show the pass rate for theory tests has fallen from 65% in the 2007-2008 financial year to just 44% in 2022-23 and in 45.2% 2023-24.

APPertisers

The AA Driving School analysed 5.5 million answers from its Driving Theory Test App to discover the 10 trickiest questions to answer correctly.

Results, based on usage of the app in its first year, show the questions learners find the hardest are (% answered incorrectly).

Difficult Qs

  1. You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway? (55.3%)

 
  1. Use the emergency telephone
  2. Give an arm signal as you are moving off
  3. Switch on your vehicle’s headlights
  4. Move away with your hazard lights on

 
  1. Where can you find reflective amber studs on a motorway? (55.2%)

 
  1. Separating the slip road from the motorway
  2. On the left-hand edge of the road
  3. On the right-hand edge of the road
  4. Separating the lanes

 
  1. What will happen if your car’s wheels are unbalanced? (54.8%)

 
  1. The steering will pull to one side
  2. The steering will vibrate
  3. The brakes will fail
  4. The tyres will deflate

 
  1. What should you do when you park at night on a road that has a 40 mph speed limit? (52.1%)

 
  1. Park facing the traffic
  2. Leave parking lights switched on
  3. Leave dipped headlights switched on
  4. Park near a street light

 
  1. You’ve broken down on a two-way road. You have a warning triangle. At least how far from your vehicle should you place the warning triangle? (51.0%)

 
  1. 5 metres (16 feet)
  2. 25 metres (82 feet)
  3. 45 metres (147 feet)
  4. 100 metres (328 feet)

 
  1. Where may you overtake on a one-way street? (49.8%)

 
  1. Only on the left-hand side
  2. Overtaking isn’t allowed
  3. Only on the right-hand side
  4. On either the right or the left

 
  1. When may you overtake another vehicle on their left? (49.6%)

 
  1. When you’re in a one-way street
  2. When approaching a motorway slip road where you’ll be turning off
  3. When the vehicle in front is signalling to turn left
  4. When a slower vehicle is travelling in the right-hand lane of a dual carriageway

 
  1. What does the solid white line at the side of the road indicate? (49.5%)

 
  1. Traffic lights ahead
  2. Edge of the carriageway
  3. Footpath on the left
  4. Cycle path

 
  1. A single carriageway road has this sign. What’s the maximum permitted speed for a car towing a trailer? (49.3%)
  1. 30 mph
  2. 40 mph
  3. 50 mph
  4. 60 mph

 
  1. Where are amber reflective studs found on a motorway? (49.2%)*

 
  1. Between the hard shoulder and the carriageway
  2. Between the acceleration lane and the carriageway
  3. Between the central reservation and the carriageway
  4. Between each pair of lanes

 

 

Experience

Since the AA Driving School launched its theory test app, its users have taken more than 33,000 mock tests and passed more than 17,000.

The analysis comes as new AA/Yonder research reveals just 18% of drivers are totally confident they would pass their theory test if they had to re-take it.

Young drivers were twice as likely as older drivers (aged 65+) to be extremely confident they would pass a theory test retake (33% vs 16%).

Male drivers were almost twice as confident as female (21% vs 12%) in their ability to pass a retake. Current DVSA data shows the pass rate for the theory test is 47.2% for female and 43.7% for male candidates.

 Learning to learn

Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of AA Driving School, believes the research paints a “fascinating” picture that could help candidates in the future.

“Knowledge of driving theory is important beyond the test,” says Benitz. “The top question pupils struggled with is about how to safely rejoin the carriageway after you have stopped in an emergency area. Clearly knowing how to do this correctly is key for your safety as a driver.

“Qualified drivers, many of whom are not confident they have enough knowledge to pass a retake of the theory test, may want to brush up on the Highway Code to ensure they have the information they need to drive safely and correctly.”

The correct answers for the questions

  1. A. Use the emergency telephone
  1. C. On the right-hand edge of the road
  1. B. The steering will vibrate
  1. B. Leave parking lights switched on
  1. C. 45 metres (147 feet)
  1. D. On either the right or the left
  1. A. When you’re in a one-way street
  1. B. Edge of the carriageway
  1. C. 50 mph
  1. C. Between the central reservation and the carriageway