10 Facts About The UK Driving Test You Never Knew – Part One

Recently, the UK driving test celebrated its 80^th anniversary. In part one of this two part series, Book Theory Test Today reveals the first five obscure facts about the practical driving exam you probably never knew.

First there’s the theory test, then the practical exam, then applying for your licence until finally you get a car and you can start driving, ‘for real’. The route to the UK driving licence is a costly, sometimes frustrating and very time consuming path. But every year, thousands of candidates start the journey, which begins with the theory test. But, did you know? It wasn’t always like this!!!

Book Theory Test Today reveals the first five most interesting facts about the practical driving exam:

1. Book Theory Test Today says: “Did you know? The first nation to enforce a driving test was France. It began in 1893, introduced alongside vehicle registration plates and parking restrictions.”

The first British person to successfully complete a driving test was a woman. Vera Hedges Butler passed the test in 1900, and she went all the way to Paris to take the test because they had not started in the UK.

1. The cost of the test started out at 37.5p. Today, you pay £31 for a theory test and £62 for the practical exam, totalling a whopping £93. It also costs £50 to get a provisional licence just so you can take the theory test and practical exam. However, it costs nothing to convert a provisional licence to a full licence.

1. Back in 1935, theory test or driving test centres did not exist. Candidates would have to arrange a meeting point with their examiner in order to take a test. They would often meet at a local landmark such as a town hall or transport hub.

1. In 1935 the driving test pass rate was an impressive 60%. As it evolved, pass rate numbers declined, with the average UK pass rate now just 46%. However, there are substantial differences between some test centres. For instance, the Wanstead test centre in London has a pass rate of just 30%. By comparison, Stonehaven in Scotland has a pass rate of 68%.

Book Theory Test Today says: “Putting the above figures into perspective though, far more people take a test at the Wanstead test centre than the Stonehaven test centre. Driving conditions in urban areas, like London, are also more challenging than the rural setting of Stonehaven, hence the low pass rate in Wanstead.”

1. During World War Two, driving tests were suspended completely and did not begin again until November 1946. Furthermore, during the Suez Crisis, tests were halted again between November 1956 and April 1957.

Book Theory Test Today says: “Watch this space for part two, coming soon.”

Book Theory Test Today offers an intermediary service assisting clients with booking a UK theory test, or practical test, at test centres across the nation. The service also supplies resources to help you prepare for your theory test – Ready to take your theory test? Book your theory test online today…

This entry was posted on Friday, May 16th, 2014 at 10:21 pm and is filed under Driving Safety, Learning to Drive, UK Driving Law. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.