British drivers would fail their driving test just 7.2 years after taking it

New research finds that British drivers think that they would fail their driving test just 7.2 years after taking it, with one in 10 saying they would fail if they took the test again straight after passing.

The research by Privilege Car Insurance found that a further four in ten (43 per cent) think it’s likely they would fail within three years of passing their test, with one in seven (14 per cent) likely to fail both theory and practical driving test if they had to take it today.

Whilst we may think we are pretty good drivers, one in three (32 per cent) drivers who have passed in the last decade haven’t picked up a copy since they passed, and one in four (25 per cent) have not looked at the Highway code since passing their test.

With a whole plethora of laws to stick to, it’s no surprise that one in four drivers (39 per cent) claim to know less than half of the 307 rules of the road.

This could be the reason why many have forgotten basic highway codes, with four in ten drivers (40 per cent) always failing to mirror, signal, manoeuvre, half (50 per cent) not keeping to the left lane and only using the right when overtaking, and one in three (34 per cent) incorrectly using their indicators to give way to other drivers.

 A shocking 80 per cent admit to speeding, with almost two in three (62 per cent) eating and drinking whilst behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, despite the threat of six penalty points on their licence, being a danger to everyone else on the road and a fine of up to £1,000, millennials are the group prone to the most in-car distractions with almost half (44 per cent) using their phones whilst behind the wheel.

A further three quarters of 18-34-year olds (74 per cent) also admit to eating whilst driving.

Over a third of Brits (36 per cent) admit that they had no idea they were breaking the law when not following some of the Highway Code’s guidelines.

However, more worryingly, 89 per cent of those polled confess to knowing that they are breaking the law when driving but continue to do so anyway.

When asked why, one in 10 (11 per cent) brazenly admitted it’s because they know they wouldn’t get caught.

Charlotte Fielding, head of Privilege Car Insurance said: “Passing your driving test is one of life’s big milestones and I am sure that most drivers haven’t forgotten the hours of time and effort put into achieving this.

“However, it is surprising to see how little time we think it would take us to forget all we have learned. I would advise all drivers to refresh their memory every so often on the rules of the road, to ensure we are all keeping safe.”

Most ignored Highway Code rules

1.    Using headlights to give way to other drivers

2.    Speeding

3.    Eating or drinking while driving

4.    Coasting

5.    Undertaking

6.    Getting distracted using Sat Nav

7.    Tailgating

8.    Parking or waiting on yellow zigzag lines

9.    Using a phone

10.  Using the horn between 11.30pm and 7am

11.  Leaving car unattended and with the engine on

ENDS

For more information, please contact: Georgie Bruer at Richmond & Towers: 

georgieb@rtc.london / 020 3179 0720

Notes to editors:

Research carried out amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults UK adults by Opinium Research between 16th - 20th August 2019.

Privilege

Privilege Insurance specialises in home insurance for homeowners and landlords. It also offers car insurance and breakdown cover by phone or on-line.

Privilege general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Privilege and UK Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Privilege’s products or get a quote by calling

0345 246 0515 or visiting www.privilege.co.uk