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Posted on 11/16/2025 8:56:41 AM PST by DFG
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s a common adage, but a few learner drivers in the United Kingdom are taking that to extremes.
According to the UK’s Automobile Association (AA), one person has taken their theory test 128 times and still not passed. That’s a staggering amount – and what’s more, they’ve spent at least £2,944 ($3,866) trying to make the cut.
They’re not the only one to have taken the test a ridiculous number of times as the AA pointed to another would-be-driver, who finally passed their theory test after the 75th attempt in 2024. The organization noted at £23 ($30) per test, they spent £1,725 ($2,265) on tests as well as more than 90 hours in the exam room.
The figures were uncovered through a freedom of information request, which also revealed some people needed to take the practical test dozens of times before passing. Two people have taken the test 37 times and still not passed. Someone else eventually passed after 43 attempts.
Practical tests can quickly add up as the AA noted they cost £60 ($79) on weekdays and £75 ($98) on weekends and evenings. At 43 tests, that would cost between £2,580 ($3,388) and £3,225 ($4,235).
The managing director of the AA Driving School, Emma Bush, said: “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.” She added that “It is… easy to underestimate the level of knowledge required to pass the theory test” as it “covers everything from road signs to stopping distances and hazard perception.”
The theory test was introduced in 1996 and is broken up into two parts. The first has “50 multiple choice questions based on the Highway Code and the second is the Hazard Perception test, during which candidates are asked to spot hazards in videos.” Would-be drivers need to get 43 out of 50 questions right in the first part as well as 44 out of 75 on the hazard perception test. From there, they can then book their practical driving test.
Unsurprisingly, the organization used the findings to pitch their AA Driving School Theory Test app. It costs £4.99 ($6.55) to fully unlock.
Number of People Failing Driving Tests More Than 10 Times
Attempts Theory Test Practical Car Test
More than 10 times 31,849 14,125
More than 20 times 3,591 375
More than 30 times 802 26
More than 40 times 227 1
More than 50 times 93 0
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2UMfNJdTpc
Will and Grace
Nurse Pittman also has trouble with the drivers test.
If the test in the U.S. was as difficult as the UK 50% wouldn’t pass.
A 125-question test for a driver’s license?
(And they still can’t figure out to drive on the right side of the road.)
In Germany, the cost is about $2,500 per course/test.
So why did these people fail? Unable to read English at all? Mr. Magoo vision? Religious belief that they have the right of way in all cases against the infidels?
I knew a girl who failed 7-8 times. In her defense, she grew up dirt poor in Nepal and married a US missionary. She hardly even saw a car there.
bookmark...
Back in the day, there was one version of the Mass. learner’s permit test that was ALL law and penalty questions. Talk about drawing the short straw!
While there in the early 80's, there were four parts to their test. Flunk part three? Sorry. Back to part I for you. And it cost loot every time.
$2,500 for many hours of driving school (theory + practice) and the tests. Mostly for the driving school.
The tests alone: Theory - $30, Driving - $150 (both appr.)
It’s a sure bet that most of the names of those who can’t pass the tests rhyme with Allahu Akbar or Kunta Kinte.
Correct me on this, but my understanding is that failure of either test requires a repeat of the course.
It was explained to me this way during a discussion with a hotel clerk in Hamburg; a friend of his was going back through it all for the FOURTH time, at a total cost of some $10,000.00.
No, that’s not correct. When you’ve taken the costly driving lessons and have been certified competent by the driving school you can repeat the tests indefinitely - at least many times.
Perhaps if you perform *very poorly* in the practical driving test they’ll make you take extra driving training. That can add up of course. By that point, you probably shouldn’t be operating a motor vehicle at all. 😂
If your license is suspended or revoked for DUI or similar, then you’re going to spend a lot of money for more training, psychological testing and the like.
This makes more sense; thanks.
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