Before the days of the theory and hazard perception test, obtaining a Florida Fake driver’s license was much easier, or was it? You decide, as the final five obscure facts about the UK driving test are exposed.
1. 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.
2. 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. Wrong answers were recorded as minor faults.
In 2002 the hazard perception element was introduced as part of theory test in order to make it ‘more challenging’.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.