14 November 2024
The hardest driving theory test questions have been revealed, as new data shows only a fifth of qualified drivers are very confident they could pass a retake.
The AA Driving School analysed 5.5 million answers from its Driving Theory Test App to discover the 10 trickiest questions to answer correctly.
Results, based on usage of the app in its first year, show the questions learners find the hardest are (% answered incorrectly):
| 1. You have stopped in an emergency area. What must you do before you rejoin the carriageway? (55.3%) |
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| 2. Where can you find reflective amber studs on a motorway? (55.2%) |
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| 3. What will happen if your car's wheels are unbalanced? (54.8%) |
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| 4. What should you do when you park at night on a road that has a 40 mph speed limit? (52.1%) |
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| 5. You've broken down on a two-way road. You have a warning triangle. At least how far from your vehicle should you place the warning triangle? (51.0%) |
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| 6. Where may you overtake on a one-way street? (49.8%) |
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| 7. When may you overtake another vehicle on their left? (49.6%) |
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| 8. What does the solid white line at the side of the road indicate? (49.5%) |
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9. A single carriageway road has this sign.  What's the maximum permitted speed for a car towing a trailer? (49.3%) |
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| 10. Where are amber reflective studs found on a motorway? (49.2%)* |
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Since the AA Driving School launched its theory test app, its users have taken more than 33,000 mock tests and passed more than 17,000.
The analysis comes as new AA/Yonder research** reveals just 18% of drivers are totally confident they would pass their theory test if they had to re-take it.
Young drivers were twice as likely as older drivers (aged 65+) to be extremely confident they would pass a theory test retake (33% vs 16%).
Male drivers were almost twice as confident as female (21% vs 12%) in their ability to pass a retake. Current DVSA data*** shows the pass rate for the theory test is 47.2% for female and 43.7% for male candidates.
In 2023/24 the pass rate for the theory test was just 45.2%.
Camilla Benitz, Managing Director AA Driving School, said: “It’s fascinating to see which theory test questions people find the hardest to get right on our app, and hopefully the list will help people revise successfully for their test.
“Knowledge of driving theory is important beyond the test though. The top question pupils struggled with is about how to safely rejoin the carriageway after you have stopped in an emergency area. Clearly knowing how to do this correctly is key for your safety as a driver.
“Qualified drivers, many of whom are not confident they have enough knowledge to pass a retake of the theory test, may want to brush up on the Highway Code to ensure they have the information they need to drive safely and correctly.”
The AA Driving School Theory App launched in October 2023. It contains more than 700 theory questions and extensive hazard perception clips. Learners can use the flash-card feature for quick-fire revision sessions, access content when offline, take timed mock tests and track their progress.
*Correct answers for the questions are:
- A. Use the emergency telephone
- C. On the right-hand edge of the road
- B. The steering will vibrate
- B. Leave parking lights switched on
- C. 45 metres (147 feet)
- D. On either the right or the left
- A. When you’re in a one-way street
- B. Edge of the carriageway
- C. 50 mph
- C. Between the central reservation and the carriageway
** Yonder received 10,232 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 15th to 23rd October 2024 Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
*** Car theory test data by test centre - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)