Driving test pass rates drop due to ‘dangerous’ new reversing manoeuver

The pass rate for driving tests has slumped to lowest level in a decade because of a ‘dangerous’ new manoeuver, instructors have said.

New figures show that pass rate has fallen to 45.8 per cent for the year 2018-19 from a peak of 47.1 per cent in 2016-17.

It is claimed that the decline in successful tests is down to a new parallel parking manoeuver brought in as part of a series of changes to revamp the exam.

The ‘reversing your vehicle’ test requires the driver to pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic.

Rob Harper, chair of the Association of Approved Driving Instructors told The Telegraph: ‘I think it’s a dangerous manoeuver and so do many of my members.

‘We have had lots of complaints from instructors, learner drivers and from members of the public, who aren’t used to seeing people doing it.

The manoeuver was introduced to tests in December 2017, while the ‘turn in the road’ and reversing round a corner manoeuvers were scrapped.

The ‘reversing your vehicle’ test requires the driver to pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

There is also a new 20-minute independent driving section, with drivers being asked to work a sat nav device, and two ‘show me, tell me’ questions during the test on top of the ones taken before the driven section of the test.

A spokesperson for the DVSA told The Telegraph: ‘Examinations are not getting stricter. Drivers simply need to be better prepared.

‘Lots of young people are killed on the roads each year and we want that number to go down. We have a test so that drivers can reach a certain standard where they can drive independently and safely.

‘If someone has taken 20 tests and failed, they are not safe to drive and will not be allowed to. If they pass on their 21st attempt, then they have met the standard required and will be allowed to.’

In regards to persistent learners, figures obtained by the Press Association have revealed that some prolific candidates have in fact taken as many as 21 tests in a year before passing. 

In 2016, one driver passed on their 21st attempt that year, while a learner in 2018 had 19 failed times before being given a full licence (stock photo)

Rules mean a learner has to wait 10 working days between failing and taking their next test, and in 2009, 2015 and 2017, a learner driver took 19 tests in one year – and failed them all.

The figures, released under Freedom of Information laws, showed the 10 most prolific learner drivers every year from 2009 to 2018 failed a median average of 15 tests each.

In five of the 10 years, the most prolific test candidate ended December without having passed their practical exam.

DVSA’s chief driving examiner Mark Winn said: ‘DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.

‘Candidates should only attempt their test when they’ve gained a broad range of experience and are ready to drive safely and independently.

‘Anyone who fails their driving test has to wait at least 10 working days to take another. This ensures the candidate has time to undergo additional training and improve any faults noted by the examiner before they take their test again.

‘To prepare people better for driving safely on our roads, we changed the driving test in 2017 so that it reflects real-life driving.’

Separate data from the DVSA showed the car driving test pass rate was 45.8% in the year 2018/19, the lowest figure since 45.3% in 2008/9.

Some 18,922 learners passed the practical test with zero faults in 2018/19, up from 18,410 the previous year.