Driving theory test. Should there be a limit?

I tend to agree with you. I totally understand that people can fail for any number of reasons, but if someone has failed so many times, surely it must raise some questions as to their competency?

Quite agree.

Perhaps they are illiterate and are unaware they can ask for help.

I believe that the test has to be taken in either English or Welsh which might make it difficult people whose first language is not English (or Welsh).

One thing for sure Dyslexia and ADHD can effect it I know people who cannot do multi choice questions but know the answer perfectly when asked and are also very good drivers
It’s not always that they don’t know the answers or are not good drivers multichoice can really make it hard for some people and muddle them up

Is there a limit to how many times the practical test can be taken?

Dyslexic DD2 took 3 goes to pass her theory test. That and the wheelchair made her noticeable at the Test Centre and the chap who had helped her inside the building was delighted when she passed.

She then passed her practical driving test, first attempt, a week after her 17th birthday. She dropped me off at home and drove off 25 miles to school.

So, I really don’t think attempts should be limited. I think, however, that some people are just not meant to drive. Perhaps it’s up to driving instructors to be honest and tell their pupils? However, they’d be cutting off their noses - my friend’s son has had hundreds of lessons over the years and has finally passed his test at the 5th attempt - he’s 43, hates driving and already has 6 points as he doesn’t observe signage.

Smileless, I’m pretty sure there is no limit to taking practical tests, but I think there should be.
I would be more worried about the number of times they’ve failed the practical test, personally, even though I appreciate that the Theory test is necessary.
Unbelievable, but a friend of my parents, who had been driving normally for years, suddenly decided she wouldn’t reverse any more! If she got into a situation where she needed to, she would ask a passer-by to do it for her! Most did! This was years ago, and I’m sure it wouldn’t happen now! Can you imagine??

I had a good friend when younger who was laughed at in the place we both worked in because she took her driving test countless times and failed. She was quite slow and methodical about things, some might have called her boring, but she was nothing if not determined. Eventually she passed and turned out to be a careful and considerate driver as well as one of the safest I have ever encountered. One of my SiLs boasts about passing first time and tbh he makes me grip my seat when a passenger, imho he drives much too fast and takes chances.
Is like everything else I suppose those who are slow may not turn out to be terrible drivers, and those who walk through the test without a hitch could turn out to be awful drivers.
Life is never black and white.

It took me 5 attempts to pass my test because I am clumsy and cack handed, so I get nervous if I am being watched and judged when doing anything practical - and that is exactly what is happening in a driving test.

Each time I took the test, I got one manouvre wrong, 3 point turn, backing round a corner. I never got the same thing wrong twice. One examiner actually said to me, if you could relax, you would be fine. This was after doing three perfect hillstops and starts in the ordinary driving part of the test and then getting it all wrong when doing it as an assessed manouvre.

Am I a safe driver, well, it is not for me to judge myself, but two friends I have driven a number of times recently both said they liked being driven by me because they felt I drove safely..

Magenta8

I believe that the test has to be taken in either English or Welsh which might make it difficult people whose first language is not English (or Welsh).

There would be a choice, English or Welsh.

If someone took 75 attempts to pass the theory test they either do no have the intellectual ability to handle a car and busy traffic or they have not got a sufficient grasp of the English language.

No they may be fantastic drivers, useless at tests .nerves get the better of them. And at least they have had plenty of practice , some people on the road would make you wonder how they passed.

I used to work with special needs students in a secondary school. One of them was a very poor reader and said he didn't need to be able to read. I pointed out that if he ever wanted to be able to drive he'd have to be able to read to do the theory test. I don't know if the message got through, as I retired and I think he moved to another school. Unfortunately there are many unlicenced driver on the roads and some probably fail the test and decide to drive anyway!

I did a mock hazard perception test at a police exhibition and failed miserably because I noticed too many hazards.
The person running it says that is common with experienced drivers - they notice more hazards and can assess the importance of them quicker so don't worry.
DH still drives according to the highway code of yesteryear

Did your DD take driving lessons before her 17th birthday in that she passed the practical so quickly afrerwards? Just asking as have 16 year old GS who would love to have lessons and I'd pay but always thought you had to be 17 to be out on the roads even with provisional.

I wonder how many perfectly good drivers of middle and older age would pass the theory first time.

M0nica

It took me 5 attempts to pass my test because I am clumsy and cack handed, so I get nervous if I am being watched and judged when doing anything practical - and that is exactly what is happening in a driving test.

Each time I took the test, I got one manouvre wrong, 3 point turn, backing round a corner. I never got the same thing wrong twice. One examiner actually said to me, if you could relax, you would be fine. This was after doing three perfect hillstops and starts in the ordinary driving part of the test and then getting it all wrong when doing it as an assessed manouvre.

Am I a safe driver, well, it is not for me to judge myself, but two friends I have driven a number of times recently both said they liked being driven by me because they felt I drove safely..

It took me five attempts too and for the same reasons. You only have to mention ‘test’ to me and my mind goes mad. A friend of my mum’s told me to chew on chewing gum as this would help me relax, I did on the fifth attempt and passed. Been driving now for 48 years and have never had an accident or received any points for anything.

Shel1951

No they may be fantastic drivers, useless at tests .nerves get the better of them. And at least they have had plenty of practice , some people on the road would make you wonder how they passed.

If they get that nervous they could be a danger on the roads as you need to be able to react quickly to others on the roads who are reckless or poor drivers.

Failing 75 times is a red flag.

Just because someone fails that shouldn't mean they can't keep trying. Does that mean you want to limit how many times people can attempt to do anything?

There's a host of reasons it make take people a lot of tries, including disabilities!

Cars can be lethal weapons.

Dreadwitch

Just because someone fails that shouldn't mean they can't keep trying. Does that mean you want to limit how many times people can attempt to do anything?

There's a host of reasons it make take people a lot of tries, including disabilities!

Of course, I already said that there can be many reasons why people might fail - and it goes without saying that allowances must be made for those with disabilities - but I'm sorry, if you've failed a driving test (theory or practical) 75 times, then that has to raise some red flags, surely?
As Allira says, you're talking about someone being in charge of a lethal weapon, and if they keep failing so many times either through nerves or lack of ability in one way or another, then I'm not sure they should be in charge of that.

If you receive the higher mobility part of PIP or DLA you can start to learn from 16.

4allweknow

Did your DD take driving lessons before her 17th birthday in that she passed the practical so quickly afrerwards? Just asking as have 16 year old GS who would love to have lessons and I'd pay but always thought you had to be 17 to be out on the roads even with provisional.

Message above was in reply to this poster.

My mother took 9 tests in the days before split. Her final examiner told her that all she really needed was a Valium, but he passed her anyway. She was so very nervous, that she fluffed every question.
PS she was not that great a driver, but much much better than my mother in law who never had to take a test because she drove in the war (I shudder to think how)