Less than 1% of UK drivers correctly answered a sample of current driving theory test questions posed to them.
The research from ATS Euromaster of the 1,010 drivers tested, found shockingly only eight got all the answers correct.
Some 45 to 54-year-olds, with up to 30 years of driving experience, were revealed to be the least knowledgeable drivers in the UK, averaging just 1 in 3 correct answers, with 35 to 44s the most knowledgeable.
The questions people got the most wrong were:
Q1. Which colour follows green at a puffin crossing?
- Flashing green
- Steady amber
- Flashing amber
- Steady red
Q2. Where must you use parking lights when parking on a road at night?
- If you park facing oncoming traffic
- On roads where the speed limit exceeds 30 mph
- If there’s a bus stop nearby
- If the centre of the road has continuous white lines
Q3. You are turning right in busy traffic. You’re already indicating. What could you do to confirm your intention?
- Straddle the centre line
- Sound your horn
- Signal with your arm
- Flash your lights
Q4. What do long white lines with short gaps in the centre of the road show?
- Is simply a central carriageway dividing line
- Clearway – stopping is prohibited
- Are used in locations prone to flooding
- Informs drivers they are approaching a hazard
Q5. What is the typical braking distance at 50 mph in good, dry conditions?
- 38 metres (125 feet)
- 14 metres (46 feet)
- 55 metres (180 feet)
- 24 metres (80 feet)
Other questions about emissions and puffin crossings were also found to be tricky.
Not knowing these could be costly too: over two thirds (68%) of respondents are unaware of when to use parking lights on a road at night, an offence which commands a £75 fine.
The same percentage aren’t aware that long white lines with short gaps indicate an approaching hazard, with careless driving from not heeding road markings costing up to £2,500.
The research shows the most knowledgeable drivers in the country with Sheffield (42% correct answers), Leeds (39%), and Manchester (39%) coming out on top. However, Newcastle (30%), Norwich (30%), and Bristol (33%) got the worst scores.
Paul Maynard, technical training manager at ATS Euromaster said, “With qualified drivers only able to answer around 1 in 3 questions on the theory test correctly, this shows a knowledge gap with the UK’s current drivers. Laws change constantly, so it’s worth taking the time to brush up on the highway code and make sure you’re fully up to date.”