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

In part one of the series, Book Theory Test Today revealed the first five most obscure facts about the UK driving test. In the concluding part, Book Theory Test Today unveils the facts that have made the driving exam what it is today…

Before the days of the theory test and the hazard perception test, obtaining a driving licence was much easier, or was it? We’ll let you decide as Book Theory Test Today reveals the final five obscure facts about the UK driving test.

1. Book Theory Test Today says: “Did you know? The UK driving exam has altered drastically since being introduced 80 years ago. In May 1975 the use of arm signals was removed from the driving test.”

In April 1991 the reverse parking manoeuvre was introduced to the practical driving exam as a compulsory element. For those who struggled to reverse a car, that day in April 1991 proved sombre.

In 2003 the ‘Show Me/Tell Me’ aspect of the practical test was introduced, whereby you are required to answer questions about features of the vehicle you’re driving.

1. Book Theory Test Today says: “Did you know? The UK theory test was introduced in July 1996.”

Prior to the introduction of the theory test, examiners simply asked a series of Highway Code questions once a candidate had completed their practical driving exam. But, even if the candidate got the questions wrong they wouldn’t fail the test. Wrong answers were recorded as minor faults.

In 2002 the Hazard Perception test was introduced as part of theory test in order to make the theory test ‘more challenging’.

1. Book Theory Test Today says: “Did you know? Before reality television made it big, one of the first reality TV shows was a driving programme named ‘Driving School’. Over 12 million people watched the programme, which followed the driving experiences of Maureen Rees as she struggled to pass the practical driving exam.”

Rees achieved a brief period of fame as she eventually passed her test, buying a Lada automatic and having a stint in the music world with a cover of the song ‘Driving In My Car’, originally recorded by Madness.

1. Latest statistics show that the DVSA now carries out over 1.5 million car driving tests annually, not to mention a similar number of theory test sittings. In the UK, over 32 million people currently possess a full driving licence. That’s a staggering 70% of the entire adult population.

1. In the battle of the sexes when it comes to driving, evidence shows that women take much longer to pass their tests. According to research by the DfT (Department for Transport), women have to take, on average, 52 lessons and attempt the test 2.1 times in order to pass.

In comparison, men average just 36 lessons and pass in 1.8 attempts. But, once women have successfully passed the exam, they are much safer on Britain’s roads. According to data published by the Home Office, men are responsible for 96% of dangerous driving offences.

Book Theory Test Today says: “That completes the series folks and there you have it, ten of the most obscure facts about the UK theory test and practical driving exam you probably never knew.”

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 Saturday, May 17th, 2014 at 10:21 pm and is filed under Book Theory Test Today News, 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.