Driving theory test. Should there be a limit?

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..

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.

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??

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.

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

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

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).

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

Quite agree.

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?