The AA Driving School’s managing director said it is ‘easy to underestimate’ the level of knowledge required to pass the theory test
A learner driver finally passed their theory test on the 75th try, having spent over £1,700 in fees, according to new figures. The statistics were obtained by AA Driving School, which highlighted that it’s ‘easy to underestimate’ the level of knowledge needed to pass the exam.
Each attempt at the test costs £23, meaning the candidate who eventually passed last year shelled out a total of £1,725. Meanwhile, another learner has attempted the test an astonishing 128 times without success, racking up a bill of £2,944.
The theory test assesses a learner’s understanding of road rules and safe driving practices through multiple-choice questions, as well as their ability to identify hazards via video clips.
Before booking a practical driving exam, learners must first pass the theory test. Emma Bush, managing director at AA Driving School, stressed that revision is ‘the key to success’ when it comes to the theory test, but acknowledged that ‘life can get in the way’, leading to ‘extra nerves and time-pressures on the day’.
She added: “It is easy to underestimate the level of knowledge required to pass the theory test. Passing your theory test is the first step towards achieving your full driving licence, and clearly these candidates who have attempted it multiple times are very committed to achieving their goal.
“There are lots of reasons why someone might find the theory test challenging and therefore rack up multiple attempts before they pass, though it’s important to remember a high number of attempts is the exception, not the rule.”
Last year, the highest number of attempts to pass the practical driving test was 21, with costs ranging from £1,302 to £1,575 depending on the timing of the test tests. Two others have also attempted the practical test 37 times without success, incurring costs of up to £2,220 each in the process.
These figures were revealed by the AA Driving School, which obtained them through a Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Ms Bush continued: “For the practical test, the best advice to prevent you having to take your test multiple times is to work with your instructor to book a test when they think you are ready to pass. If nerves are getting the better of you, doing some practical mock tests with your instructor may also help.”
Separate DVSA statistics reveal that the pass rates for the theory and practical tests in the 2024/25 financial year were 44.9% and 48.7% respectively. Officials are encouraging learners not to book a practical test until they are confident they will pass, as part of measures aimed at tackling a backlog.
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