One Driver Took 128 Tests And Still Can’t Get A License

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.

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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

Sources: AA, BBC News