Testing times for motorists who fail to pass driving tests

More than four million Brits (10 per cent) have found learning to drive so traumatic they have spent £3.2 billon on lessons – then given up, according to a new study.

Women are almost twice as likely as men to throw in the towel after years of anguish and frustration as a learner.

But that’s only after constantly failing to pass has caused;

Depression after each failure
Being physically sick before lessons and tests
Becoming the butt of jokes from family and friends
Missing out on careers that require a licence
‘Freezing’ at the wheel through nerves during tests and lessons

The study of more than 2,000 people for car insurer Churchill also found that reversing – parking and around corners - causes learner drivers the most problems. Just over 37 per cent of women and 31 per cent of men have failed after a reversing manoeuvre went wrong. Poor observation at junctions, parallel parking, inadequate use of mirrors, bad signalling and incorrect positioning on the road are other major reasons.

More than 60 per cent manage to pass in a year or less – but four per cent have taken between five and ten years to get the green light.

Over half of drivers (55 per cent) admit constantly failing tests is a major cause of stress and for 12 per cent of women and six per cent of men the frustration is so intense they give up completely. But giving up has a heavy price – on average learners will have spent £687 on 35 lessons before admitting they’ll never be good enough to pass.

Frances Browning, spokesperson for Churchill Car Insurance said: “Our research clearly shows the steep cost of learning to drive. Learner drivers face financial pressure to pass their test first time with as few lessons as possible. But, it is worth taking the time and effort to become a confident driver by the time you pass.”

Just over two per cent of hopeful drivers will have taken up to TEN tests before they finally called it a day.

Over 38 per cent of test failures admit they have dumped driving instructors in a desperate bid to improve their chances. The average Brit will change their instructor twice before they pass – but just under two per cent will get through at least five. The reason most instructors are axed is because learners do not feel they are improving fast enough (44 per cent). But 19 per cent are given the boot after they got angry with their pupil.

Around eight per cent have changed instructor after being ‘chatted up’ during lessons instead of being given driving guidance.

In a desperate bid to pass, the average learner will have around a dozen extra lessons from parents, relatives and friends, but for 17 per cent the extra lessons come to an abrupt end. Over seven per cent said the reason they fell out with a relative or pal was after a near miss accident while 13 per cent stop the extra lessons because the experienced driver doesn’t feel safe. A further seven per cent stopped because they felt that their driving was getting worse, instead of better.

“It’s encouraging to see that so many drivers are willing to help friends and relatives in their quest to get behind the wheel, but judging by the results of the survey sometimes it’s better to leave it to the professionals,” said Browning.

Reasons women fail driving test

Observation at junctions (23 per cent)
Reverse parking (21 per cent)
Reversing around corners (16 per cent)
Parallel parking (12 per cent)
Inappropriate speed (11 per cent)
Poor use of mirrors (10 per cent)
Three point turn (9 per cent)
Anticipating other drivers’ actions (7 per cent)
Incorrect positioning on the road (6 per cent)
Moving away safely (5 per cent)

Reasons men fail driving test

Reversing around corners (19 per cent)
Observation at junctions (16 per cent)
Reverse parking (12 per cent)
Poor use of mirrors (11 per cent)
Anticipating other drivers’ actions (11 per cent)
Parallel parking (10 per cent)
Emergency stop (10 per cent)
Pulling away safely (9 per cent)
Positioning on the road (7 per cent)
Pulling out without looking (6 per cent)