The driving test can be a fraught time for even the most well-trained of learner drivers – and it probably explains why some turn to superstition to give their luck (and confidence) a boost on the big day.
That’s according to the AA Driving School who recently revealed that students are bringing ‘good luck’ charms along for their tests. But maybe there’s something in it – the following superstitious learners all passed their test:
It’s No Yolk! A mother cracked an egg on each tyre of her daughter’s new car before the young woman undertook her test. The shrewd mum also gave her daughter an ‘evil eye’ toy to ward off bad karma from fellow drivers and passersby.
A Draining Experience One pupil insisted on parking up every time she saw two drains during her test so she could get out and stand on them; not to do so would have been bad luck. Because she always parked safely, the examiner saw no issue with the ‘drain detour’ and passed the learner.
Top Banana After failing her test three times due to nerves, one student turned to bananas because she had read they aided in alertness. After eating two in a row (and swapping her cowboy boots for trainers), she sailed through her test.
Smart Kart As well as relying on her ADI, one learner turned to a portly Italian plumber to help her before each lesson. She’d boot up Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii and play it using a steering wheel controller; she felt this helped her steer better in the real world.
Mummy Power A mother slipped into an old T-shirt that she wore during childbirth to boost her pass chances – as well as the trousers she had worn before her child was conceived.
More Down to Earth? Students have been known to carry or wear more traditional lucky charms including soft toys, socks, shoes, jewellery and underwear, while others have been spotted saluting magpies, avoiding black cats – and flat-out refusing to do their test on Friday 13th.
Photo ©JD Hancock