10 bizarre reasons for failing a driving test

As the driving test celebrates 80 years, we look at the most absurd explanations for failing to pass

Learner, driving test, driving licence, pass, l plate

The driving test is a rite of passage for many people, and each has their fair share of funny experiences while out on the road.

• How to pass your driving test

To mark the 80th anniversary of the test, RED Driving School surveyed a host of motorists who’d recently failed – around half of UK drivers do so each year – to discover what had caught them out. 

REd driving school, learner driver

Many responded with the more common reasons, having been marked down on manoeuvres like reversing around a corner and parallel parking, or for not checking their mirrors enough. 

But others had a more elaborate explanation for not achieving a pass.

Driving test aids product test

Read on for the top 10 most ridiculous reasons for failing the test...

1. Driving on the wrong side of the road

“I drove out of the test centre on the wrong side of the road although, to be fair, it was a very narrow road. I told the examiner that I had literally just got back from France, where I had become so immersed in the culture that I’d forgotten which side of the road to drive on.” 

2. Queuing behind parked cars

“I thought a line of parked cars was a line of traffic, waiting for the traffic lights to change. After seven excruciating minutes of waiting, the instructor asked me to drive around the parked cars.” 

DO NOT USE!

3. Distracted by a sexy motorcyclist

“A ‘good looking’ man on a motorbike caught my attention while I was driving, and without realising, I started to drive directly towards him. The instructor had to enforce an emergency stop as I nearly hit the man on the motorbike. I then blamed it on my bad eyesight!” 

How to get your driving licence

4. Confused between left and right

“I turned left when told to turn right, twice, and lied to the examiner that I have dyscalculia which affects my ability to turn left or right.” 

5. Crossing confusion

“When crawling towards a zebra crossing, I went a little too far forward and bumped the bumper on a pedestrian before the examiner could stop me. I then argued it wasn’t my fault as he was fine, and that his outfit had made him blend into the stripes.” 

Road signs

6. Wrong direction

“I tried to turn the wrong way up a one-way street, and then blamed the instructor for putting me off!” 

7. Energy overdose

“I took my test when I was 18, the day before my final A-level exam. At this point I was studying like mad for my final exam and drinking at least three cans of energy drink a day. I turned up for my driving test twitching like a madman and hadn’t revised anything. I received two majors and I lost count of the minors.”

8. Twitching toes

“I was just so nervous on my first test! I couldn’t keep my foot still on the clutch and failed in the first five minutes while doing a three-point turn. I then drove perfectly for the rest of the test!”

Learner Guides Tested

9. Movies taught me bad habits

“I failed my test the first time because I thought the way to overtake was to zip in and out of traffic like in a car chase. The only background knowledge I had was based on James Bond, so I blame the movies! Looking back, I can definitely see why it was so important for me to take more lessons.”

10. The engine didn’t sound right 

“I failed my manual test so did an automatic test instead and passed. I told everyone this was because I grew up with parents who only drove automatic cars and so wasn’t used to the ‘sound’ and ‘feel’ of gearchanging in the car.”

Partnership
Need to sell your car?
Find your best offer from over 5,000+ dealers. It’s that easy.

Do you have any funny driving test stories? Tell us in the comments section below, or take a look at some more First Cars content

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023