Why 53% of Driving Tests Fail in Great Britain

More than half of the driving tests in Great Britain result in a fail. In this video I explain how the test, the pupil, the instructor and the system prevents the pass rate from rising.

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This video is created by an experienced driving instructor, please subscribe to get my latest videos as I upload them to help you pass the GB Driving Test.

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This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in Great Britain, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.

Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.

00:00 The numbers
00:26 The difficulty
02:11 The pupil
06:54 My test
08:31 The waiting list
10:43 The instructor
14:14 The system
16:42 My conclusion

[noendlove]

"I'm not teaching you how to pass an exam. I'm teaching you how to drive for life." Best advice I've received from my instructor. It is still engrained in me 5 years since learning how to drive.

[FredKaczynski]

I passed my test first time 18 months ago but still watch your vids cos they're top quality and always useful

[Galloway]

I failed my test 4 times before passing (7 years on I have never had any points or accidents). My first fail was probably because I took the test too soon, but after my second fail I switched instructor because I thought that the first one was being dishonest when she told me that I was ready for the test. My new instructor immediately told me that my driving was fine, but she asked if she could come along to watch my test. After I failed that one she immediately saw how I collapsed under the pressure and she did a lot to work on my anxiety.

If you are failing because of extreme anxiety then I would advise doing mock tests. It is a bit uncomfortable sitting in near silence for 45 minutes knowing that somebody is watching your every move, so if you get used to that in a slightly less stressful environment then it can work wonders.

[samuelmelton]

Too many people live in places where they have to be dependent on a car. I'm not talking about villages that have existed for centuries, but new homes and suburbs built nowhere near stations, not on bus routes, and not within a short walk of amenities.

This increases the need for bin lorries, increases the miles taken by the ever growing number of delivery vehicles, ramps up the cost of road maintenance and thus taxes.

And yet we continue to spend money on new roads. We need walkable communities and money spent on rail.

[jameswilson]

Since you need to book a test way in advance, it's hard to judge what level you'll be at when you take the test. I took my test when a cancellation popped up, I couldn't really plan when to take it since cancellations can be months apart or fall on a day that my instructor couldn't do. I feel the pass rate would be higher if pupils could wait until they were ready and then book a test within the week. Just because an instructor has a high pass rate doesn't mean they're better than an instructor with a low pass rate since an instructor has control over who they teach and when they let them go for a test, so can rig the system. Cost is definitely a big factor, lessons are more expensive than a test so makes sense to risk taking the test even if you think you're more likely going to fail.

[luizroberto]

My first instructor absolutely milked me out of £2k for 45hr lessons, never went through any manoeuvres with me, never got past 3rd gear and was just angry/aggressive all the time, I went with someone else who I’ve now only done 12hrs with so far (8 more to go) and I’ve gone through all the manoeuvres and he even let me go on a motorway for confidence, feeling ready now so hopefully I pass on 14 August 🙏

[mrsnos]

Been driving 30 years and passed (first time) my taxi driver examination yesterday. First time anyone had assessed my competence since my teenage test and it was nerve wracking! My advice is never to stop learning, and practicing as you never know when a job opportunity may arise where you need to prove yourself behind the wheel. I’ll be taking disabled kids to school in September and I cannot wait, thanks for all the videos and DRIVE SAFELY EVERYONE.

[elliebutler]

Just want to thankyou for all your videos. You explain everything so well. Im 57 and i have just passed my test with no minors. I will still be watching.

[Jack-udvz]

I passed my 7th driving test. with 0 Faults. It took four instructors, 10 years since I started driving, 3 theory tests passed, probably 300 hours of driving. Thousands of £££ spent.

I had undiagnosed ADHD and always had massive Anxiety during the test. Once I was medicated for my ADHD(test 6/7) my awareness, planning and concentration improved drastically. My 6th test I got 0 Minor Faults, 1 Major Fault: Not checking blind spot, during correction of bay park, in an empty car park, no pedestrians or cars. Test 7, was a clean sheet. No faults.

Since passing I've driven 15K Miles this year, driven through and around London about 30 times, been up and down the M6, M1, M40, M23, M25, M62, M56, A1, A14, M11 - driven in the Yorkshire Moors, The Lake District, and around Liverpool, Manchester, York, in rush hour. I've been to various little villages and seaside towns / nature reserves. At Night! In Heavy Rain. Even drove in snow once. I've recieved many compliments on my driving!

My one take away from this - DON'T GIVE UP. Watching Conquer Driving helped so much! I improved my situational awareness - which meant I could focus more on the task rather than overthinking the nuances of the situation.

[qoolbisquit]

in my country everybody says that driving test is most difficult situation in their driving life. dmv wants more money from new tries, instructors wants more money from lessons and very little depends on pupils. so, answer is the system

[mlewendel]

Nerves are becoming a huge factor along with money, especially those prone to anxiety. When it’s the actual test itself that causes a poor test result, it takes a very skilled instructor to be able to work with that student to pass the test

[sjgk]

I don’t normally comment on videos but I just wanted to say a massive Thank You! I passed my test first time last week and found your videos incredibly helpful.

[Ahsn]

you're an absolute legend mate, i watched as much of your videos as i could before my test and passed today. thank you

[Pytheous]

I am in the US and enjoy watching you. I show my son’s, who are learning to drive, many of your videos. They offer wonderful examples and explanations. I just have to remind them to reverse some instruction. lol (I’m a subscriber).

[HaeDanl]

Passed my driving test on the 22nd just before my birthday, your videos helped me so much thank you. Will carry on watching since ur videos can still help me become a better driver

[dahakaprod]

Here's how it goes in Croatia, firstly, nervs and stress make up for most of driving test failures. However, our DMV (HAK in Croatia) is well known for deliberately failing students over minor things and at times harassing pupils to fail. Why? Money.

It's very profitable for DMV to have repeated tests, as you have to have additional 6 hours with your instructors in Croatia, before you apply for a new test, all of which you pay out of your pocket.

Ofc UK is a different beast, however I believe there is not much of a difference.

[lvithan]

I took my test at 9:07AM this morning and passed with just the 4 minor faults! My examiner was so sweet and I'll miss my intructor so much, but im excited to get out on the road in my own little orange Smart ForFour! Your videos helped me prepare so much for the test in the few days leading up to it, so thank you so much!

[ReaperSab]

I passed my test this morning with 0 driving faults! So happy! Thanks for all your videos. Helped so much!

[panpapermate]

I passed mine 2 months ago at 1st attempt with just 1 minor. It wasn't easy for me but I did work very hard for it. I'm still thrilled about it and proud of myself. Thank you to your vedios. I did watch them a lot before my test. ❤❤

[Silentghost]

I passed my test today!! And would like to personally thank conquer driving for assisting me and filling in the gaps when I wasn’t on a lesson I highly recommend your videos all the time they really really helped me!! 🥳😇