According to official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures, the person spent a combined 60 hours at a test centre in Redditch and – with a theory test costing £23 a pop – managed to part with £1,380 before getting a pass.

There were other unfortunates who struggled too including a learner based in Hull who failed 57 times, one in Guildford who dropped the ball 55 times, and a learner in Tunbridge Wells who managed to stuff it up 53 times.

Way worse

The figures are taken from the DVSA’s total number of learners who managed to pass the theory test in the first half of 2023.

However, according to a BBC article from back in 2012, it was reported a learner used a Leicester test centre to chalk up 92 theory test fails and spent nearly £3,000 to try and secure a pass.

But according to DVSA figures from 2013, this fail rate was trumped by a learner based in London who managed to fail a whopping 107 times. The agency doesn’t state if the pupil managed to finally pass on their 108th attempt.

Do bear in mind though such huge figures may be even higher than quoted as theory test records only went back as far as 2004, according to the BBC.

However, the word record for most theory test fails is actually held by a woman in South Korea. She only managed to pass her theory test on her 950th attempt in 2009.

Worrying trend

Meanwhile, back in the UK, the news doesn’t get much better if you take a long term look at pass rates over recent years. For instance, the pass rate stood at 65% in 2007-2008 but has dropped dramatically to 44% in 2022-2023.

While it should be noted the theory test itself has become more challenging over the years – here’s why – the main reason why people aren’t passing is simple as Camilla Benitz, the managing director of AA Driving School, explains: “Nerves can undoubtedly play a part, as well as making sure you understand what the test will involve before you get there.

“It’s quite easy to underestimate the theory test and assume that you’ll be able to pass without any effort at all but that’s not the case. Revision is the key to success.”

Your ally app

It’s why Theory Test Pro exists – to help ensure that if you put the work in, you won’t find yourself failing 59 times before getting that pass.

Most importantly? Our research reveals that if you use Theory Test Pro properly, you are twice as likely to pass your theory test.

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