Getting a full driving licence remains one of the great rites of passage.
But figures show that it is easier for some than others. Data released by the AA Driving School last week revealed that one learner has taken the theory test 128 times - at a cost of almost £3,000 - without success.
Another spent £1,725 before passing the test on the 75th attempt.
Attempting to pass the driving theory test can be so challenging that many learners illegally pay 'impersonators' to cheat by taking it on their behalf - over 2,000 incidents of attempted cheating were recorded as recently as 2023-24 by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), according to the BBC.
The £23 theory test was introduced in 1996 and must be passed before the practical driving test can be taken. Its main focus is a 50-question multiple-choice exam that must be completed in 57 minutes.
At least 43 of the questions must be answered correctly to achieve a pass. They are chosen randomly from the DVSA question 'bank' of several hundred and cover topics such as road signs, behaviour during emergencies and the Highway Code.
The pass rate peaked at 55.7 per cent in 2020-2021, then dropped to 44.9 per cent by 2024-2025.
But how would you get on if you had to take the test today? Here are some of the trickiest practice questions taken from analysis by the AA Driving School of 5.5 million answers on its Driving Theory Test App...
- You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway?
- a) Use the emergency telephone
- b) Give an arm signal as you are moving off
- c) Switch on your vehicle's headlights
- d) Move away with your hazard lights on
- Where can you find reflective amber studs on a motorway?
- a) Separating the slip road from the motorway
- b) On the left-hand edge of the road
- c) On the right-hand edge of the road
- d) Separating the lanes
- What will happen if your car's wheels are unbalanced?
- a) The steering will pull to one side
- b) The steering will vibrate
- c) The brakes will fail
- d) The tyres will deflate
- What should you do when you park at night on a road that has a 40mph speed limit?
- a) Park facing the traffic
- b) Leave parking lights switched on
- c) Leave dipped headlights switched on
- d) Park near a street light
- 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?
- a) 5 metres (16ft)
- b) 25 metres (82ft)
- c) 45 metres (147ft)
- d) 100 metres (328ft)
- Where may you overtake on a one-way street?
- a) Only on the left-hand side
- b) Overtaking isn't allowed
- c) Only on the right-hand side
- d) On either the right or the left
- When are you allowed to overtake another vehicle on their left?
- a) When you're in a one-way street
- b) When approaching a motorway slip road where you'll be turning off
- c) When the vehicle in front is signalling to turn left
- d) When a slower vehicle is travelling in the right-hand lane of a dual carriageway
- What does the solid white line at the side of the road indicate?
- a) Traffic lights ahead
- b) Edge of the carriageway
- c) Footpath on the left
- d) Cycle path
- A single carriageway road has this sign (below). What's the maximum permitted speed for a car towing a trailer?
- a) 30mph
- b) 40mph
- c) 50mph
- d) 60mph
- Why is travelling in neutral for long distances (known as coasting) bad driving technique?
- a) It will cause the car to skid
- b) It will make the engine stall
- c) The engine will run faster
- d) There won't be any engine braking
- What should you do if you park on the road in fog?
- a) Leave the main-beam headlights on
- b) Leave dipped headlights and fog lights switched on
- c) Leave parking lights switched on
- d) Leave dipped headlights switched on
- When should you sound your vehicle's horn?
- a) To greet other road users
- b) To allow you right of way
- c) To signal your annoyance
- d) To alert others to your presence
- You're being overtaken by a long, heavily laden lorry. What should you do if it's taking a long time for it to overtake?
- a) Hold your speed
- b) Change direction
- c) Slow down
- d) Speed up
- Which vehicle should you give extra room as you overtake?
- a) Bicycle
- b) Tractor
- c) Lorry
- d) Road-sweeper
- What should you do if the left-hand pavement is closed due to street repairs?
- a) Watch out for pedestrians in the road
- b) Speed up to get past the roadworks more quickly
- c) Position close to the left-hand kerb
- d) Use your right-hand mirror more often
- How can you avoid wheelspin when you're driving on an icy road?
- a) Drive in a low gear at all times
- b) Brake gently and repeatedly
- c) Drive at a slow speed in the highest gear possible
- d) Use the parking brake if the wheels start to slip
- Which vehicles aren't allowed to use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway?
- a) Vehicles towing a trailer
- b) Motorcycles
- c) Motorcycle and sidecar outfits
- d) Small delivery vans
- Why should you use your mirrors when you see a hazard ahead?
- a) To assess how your actions will affect the traffic behind
- b) To check what's happening on the road ahead
- c) Because you'll need to accelerate out of danger
- d) Because you'll need to brake sharply and stop
- You're driving your car. When may you use a hand-held mobile phone?
- a) When you're driving at 30mph
- b) When you have parked safelyWhen you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;When you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;When you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;When you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;When you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;When you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;When you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;When you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;When you're receiving a call;;When your car has an automatic transmission;;When you're parked safely;;When you're driving at 30mph;;