The AA Driving School releases a new VIDEO and research after a reported 60% of young drivers still rely on superstitions to pass their driving test
A quarter of drivers resorted to extra measures such as lucky pants, superstitions or a long drive to get their nerves in check before their driving test, reveals the AA Driving School*.
60% of young drivers aged 18-to-24 were by far the most likely to turn to extra measures – 7% admitted to wearing lucky pants, 6% said they carried a lucky charm and 9% said they took herbal remedies such as Rescue Remedy before their practical test.
You can watch the New AA Driving School video designed to help learners combat their test nerves and pass with flying colours here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=-pC8vhgeipU
The study also found that a long drive or having a lesson before the test was the most popular way of easing tension, with one in five (20%) drivers saying they did this.
In order to help pre-test drivers, the AA has published advice on how to combat driving anxietyyou can read it here:
https://www.theaa.com/driving-school/driving-lessons/advice/driving-test-nerves
Stand out stats:
Only one in ten (13%) drivers said they felt no nerves before their test.
Nearly half of all nervous drivers (44%) said their nerves affected their test in some way.
Women and younger drivers were the most likely to admit nerves affected them on their test day (52% and 77%).
Drivers in Northern Ireland were the most likely to put their faith in superstitions in the run-up to their test, with 2% saying they avoided walking under ladders or crossing the path of black cats before the big day.
Last year over 1,700,000 people took their driving test - just 46.7% passed
Edmund King, the AA President, said: “Passing your driving test and getting on the road is a real milestone for many people.
“While we’d be more likely to advocate an extra lesson or two to combat pre-test nerves, if wearing lucky pants helps someone feel more confident on their test day and they pass as a result, then good for them.”
The top ways that nerves affected drivers are listed below:
Made minor mistakes - but still passed their test
Woke up early
Had a bad night’s sleep beforehand
Made a serious mistake that led to a failed test
Couldn’t eat before the test
Had a sudden ‘blank moment’ about something they knew how to do
Said something silly to the examiner
Couldn’t stop shaking
Vomiting
Got lost on the way to the test centre
And spare a thought for these drivers who spent most of their test feeling less than fresh.
“I remember sweating so much that I had to pull over to wipe my brow and clean my spectacles! And put talcum powder on my hands!”
“Sweated profusely and the instructor had to open the windows to clear them!”
Finally, let’s remember the poor person who almost accidently bribed their examiner…
“I handed my instructor £20 instead of my license, and it looked like a bribe.”
Sources
*Populus received 20,435 responses from AA members to its online poll between 13th and 20th March 2018. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
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