Taking your driving test is a stressful event for even the most prepared learners. However, there are misconceptions about the test that can add even further to your nerves on the big day.

That’s according to research from the AA that held a survey of over 11,000 AA members, revealing some startling insights into the myths surrounding the test. Here’s how they break down:

  • Hitting kerbs

    72% believed or didn’t know hitting the kerb during your test means you fail your test instantly. However, in reality, if you touch the kerb while manoeuvring, it’s likely you will be given a minor fault, not an outright fail. According to one driving examiner, even if you do accidentally mount the kerb, that may not lead to an instant fail but a potential major fault instead.

     

  • Wearing sunglasses

    Somehow 76% of 18-24 year olds either believe or don’t know whether you can wear sunglasses during your test. In fact, you can wear them – so long as the tint’s level is graded 0-3. Also, you could argue that driving in bright sunlight without sunglasses could actually impact on your driving whether you’re being tested or just out for a drive.

     

  • Meeting quotas

    This is a belief as old as the driving test itself, it seems – that driving examiners are not solely judging your driving ability during the test. Instead they have a secret quota of how many of you should pass or fail. It’s conspiracy theory garbage but that hasn’t stopped 64% of 18-24 year olds either not knowing if the myth was true or believing that examiners really do have a cunning hidden agenda.

     

  • Spotting faults

    According to the survey, a whopping 88% said they didn’t know or believed it was false that you can only pass your test with 14 minor faults or less. In fact, you can pass with no major faults and 15 or less minor faults.

     

  • Driving independently

    It turns out 73% said that they didn’t know or thought it was false that you have to drive independently for 20 minutes in your test (using road signs or a satnav). In fact, they would have been right in 2010 when 10 minutes of independent driving was introduced. However, this was increased to 20 minutes in 2017.

Have a drink?

There were several other eye opening myths identified and busted by the survey. The most shocking? That 8% of those surveyed didn’t know or believed the person supervising your driving can do so while over the drink drive limit.

If you do have concerns about any aspect of your upcoming driving test, do remember to ask your instructor – they are the best people for sorting out the facts from the fiction about your test.

“There is so much information out there about learning to drive, and it’s changed so much over the years, that it’s no wonder some of these myths have stuck around. It’s crucial that misinformation about the driving test, and laws around learner drivers, is debunked. These myths don’t help learners, who need accurate information in order to give themselves the best chance of passing their test.”

• Camilla Benitz, Managing Director, the AA Driving School

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Image by bobtheskater from Pixabay.