Could you go the driving take a look at once more? Thousands of ‘skilled’ Brits would fail second time
The Highway Code changes every year, despite most drivers failing to look over it since they passed their test and with driving offences rising, experts warn many would not pass their test today
Several Brits faced with taking their driving test again would fail, according to shocking statistics.
Over half of Brits haven’t glanced at the Highway Code since they passed their driving test, despite 24 recent updates being added to the rulebook. Independent Advisor Car Insurance created a mini theory test to reveal how updated drivers on the road really are. Recent changes include “hierarchy of road users,” which means drivers must always “give way to pedestrians.” Another change includes “cyclists can ride two abreast when they consider it safer to do so but should be considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups” and drivers needing to be more considerate of horses on the road.
After surveying 2,010 drivers nationwide, the company, Independent Advisor Car Insurance, discovered that a staggering 88% of UK drivers failed to answer five “basic” theory questions. In fact, over half would have failed their theory test if they retook it today.
The company compiled a test to see whether “experienced” drivers would get their license today. The official theory test pass mark in the UK is 86%. In this case, the pass mark is 80% – which means you need to get four out of five questions right to pass.
- What, if anything, do you think triangular road signs indicate?
- 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?
- What, if anything, do you think the legal speed limit on a motorway is, if no signs indicate otherwise?
- 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?
- What, if anything, do you think you should do if you have to quickly slow down when driving on the motorway?
Experts warn that if you struggled to get the answers to these questions correct, it is worth rereading the Highway Code again, as fixed penalty notices have seen a “sharp rise'” since 2022. Shockingly, 21% of drivers couldn’t identify the ‘warning’ road sign, and one in five thought they should switch on their main beam headlines when driving on a motorway at night – which could inadvertently blind drivers.
Adding to that, those aged 17-24 were more likely to fail the test, with one in 10 getting none correct. Please see below for the correct answers.
- Warnings
- Dipped headlights
- 61mph to 70mph
- 4-5 seconds
- Turn on your hazard lights
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