The driving test question that most learners get wrong – can YOU get it right?

A CAR expert has revealed the tricky driving test question that most learners get wrong – and not knowing it could cost you HUNDREDS.

If you were to retake your driving test today, do you think you’d pass it? With only around half (55%) of UK drivers in 2023, believing they could ace their theory test, it seems motorists aren’t overly confident.

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With this in mind, the car insurance experts at Compare the Market carried out research to see just how many drivers could correctly answer common theory test questions.

Researchers asked those surveyed what drivers should do if their vehicle catches fire while driving through a tunnel – which proved to be the trickiest question with 68% answering incorrectly.

Then there was how you can avoid wheelspin when driving on an icy road – with 66% not getting it right.

The third one was also tough for drivers to work out: “You’re waiting to emerge at a junction – and your view is restricted by parked vehicles. What can help you to see traffic on the road you’re joining?”

A surprising 64% of respondents got this one wrong.

The research found that, on average, only 51% of questions asked were answered correctly.

To pass a driving theory test, candidates need to answer 86% of the questions correctly – with less than 1% of motorists getting every single question correct.

Results from the research suggest that the longer you’ve held your licence, the more likely you are to answer the driving theory questions correctly – with drivers that took their test more than 30 years ago correctly answering 62% of the questions. 

Despite undertaking the test more recently, those who passed their theory test between one and three years ago actually answered the least amount of questions correctly, with an average score of just 39%. 

Did you get the questions right? Read on to find out.

What should you do if your vehicle catches fire while you’re driving through a tunnel?

Answer: Drive it out of the tunnel if it is safe to do so. 

Almost one-third (32%) of drivers got this question right, with the majority (41%) incorrectly suggesting you should pull up and then walk to an emergency telephone as the right thing to do.

How can you avoid wheel spinning when you are driving on an icy road?

Answer: Drive at a slow speed in the highest gear possible.

Two-thirds (66%) of drivers failed this question, with most people (36%) answering that you should drive in a low gear to avoid wheel spinning. 

You’re waiting to emerge at a junction, and your view is restricted by parked vehicles. What can help to see traffic on the road you’re joining?

Answer: Reflections of traffic in windows.

36% of motorists answered this question correctly, while 30% suggested checking for traffic in your interior window as the correct thing to do. 

This comes after a learner was told she couldn’t take her test because her car was too dirty – meaning she failed before even getting into the motor.

Also, car experts revealed the eight reasons learners fail their driving test.