Candidates who failed their driving theory test have highlighted what went wrong and what they wish they had done differently.

Theoretically speaking

New research revealed by the AA Driving School, shows a third of adults who failed their theory test (33%) found mastering hazard perception to be the most daunting aspect of their preparation. The AA Driving School has specific advice for this aspect of the theory test here: www.theaa.com/driving-school/driving-lessons/theory-hazard-perception-test

The survey approached over 1,000 people over 17 years old who had failed the Theory Test. Overall, those who have failed, cited the top five challenges of theory test preparation as:

  1. Preparing for hazard perception (33%)
  2. Finding time to revise (30%)
  3. Terminology within the questions (28%)
  4. Knowing what to study (28%)
  5. Understanding road signs (27%)

Other tricky areas included knowing when they were ready to sit the test (15%) and accessing mock tests (15%).

Countrywide comparison

Regarding regions, candidates in Northern Ireland were the most likely to cite hazard perception prep as their downfall (54%). For those in the North East, it was the least likely (19%).

Instead, those in the North East admitted that finding the time to revise was most challenging part of the equation (40%). However, it was the most straightforward aspect for those in Scotland (25%).

The research also highlighted psychological pressures besides issues with preparation. Stress and anxiety in the test environment contributed to candidates’ problems. Nearly three in five adults who have failed their test (59%) reported nervousness significantly affecting their test experience.

Oh no…

Additionally, a staggering two-thirds (67%) of those surveyed expressed regret over not adequately preparing for their theory tests.

A lack of familiarity with the test format and expectations also exacerbates the challenge, with just under half of candidates (47%) confessing to entering their theory tests with little to no idea what to expect.

Many candidates also confessed to keeping their theory test failure to themselves, with two-fifths (41%) keeping it a secret from some people and one in twenty (5%) keeping it a secret from everyone.

Testing trials

The driving theory test was introduced nearly three decades ago, in 1996. It consists of two parts: the first, which takes 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions based on the Highway Code, and the second, which is the Hazard Perception test.

Candidates must pass the multiple choice (43 out of 50) and hazard perception test (44 out of 75) before booking their practical driving test.

The pass rate for the theory test has declined in recent years, plummeting from 65.4% in 2007/08 to 45% in 2023/24**.

Appy days

The AA Driving School and many other providers offer a theory test revision app. They are proving incredibly popular, using commissioned the research to help educate candidates.

They help candidates prepare for their theory test by providing top tips and facts.

“Passing your theory test is a real milestone,” states Camilla Benitz, Managing Director of the AA Driving School.

“These insights from learners who struggled to pass really highlight the importance of preparing for your theory test.

“Failing your theory test shouldn’t be a guilty secret that you keep from your friends and family – the theory test is tough – but revising, taking mock tests and practising the hazard perception in advance will help you fly through.

I failed

Case study: I failed my theory test. This is what I wish I’d known…

Millie Gaston failed her theory test while trying to learn to drive between 2019 and 2022. She failed on the multiple choice to which she felt she got unlucky with the questions and hadn’t prepared herself well enough for the format of the test.

She said: “I wasn’t expecting to find it so hard. I didn’t tell anyone I was taking it the first time, and in a way, that made it harder because I didn’t talk to anyone about it. With the hazard perception, I got too click happy.

“All my friends were passing their driving test so there was a lot of chat about it, I think that added to the pressure.”

Millie was put off rescheduling her theory test as she was desperate not to fail again.

She added: “With Covid, the longer I left it, the more nervous I got but there was nothing I could do at that point.

“I was so relieved when I finally did pass and could get on with booking my practical test. If anyone is struggling to pass, I’d just advise them to revise and practice taking mock tests so they know what to expect in the room. The atmosphere is quite intense so the more prepared you can be the better.”