A UK code exam candidate failed the code exam 128 times. It accumulated an estimated expense of around 3,000 pounds, the equivalent of approximately 3,400 euros. According to the British television channel BBC, the data was released by the AA Driving School based on official statistics from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
According to the same source, this case represents one of the highest records ever recorded in the mandatory theory tests to obtain a driving license. Another candidate took 75 attempts to get approved, which cost him approximately £1,700.
The publication writes that the theoretical exam, mandatory for almost three decades, is the first step before the practical test. The test is divided into two parts: a multiple-choice section with 50 questions on traffic rules and a hazard identification component, in which candidates analyze videos to detect risky situations.
The theory test that takes place in the United Kingdom is different from that given in Portugal. In our country, the Code exam consists of 30 multiple choice questions and the student fails if more than three answers are missed.
How much does it cost to fail
The same source says that the theory exam costs 23 pounds (about 26 euros) per attempt. The practical exam costs 62 pounds (around 70 euros) during the week and 75 pounds (close to 85 euros) on weekends or holidays. Taking into account the average values, the candidate who failed 128 times could have spent more than 3,000 pounds on the theoretical component alone.
The publication adds that two other candidates took the practical exam 37 times without success, while a third only managed to pass on the 43rd attempt.
Millions of tests and low percentages
According to , almost 2.8 million theory exams were carried out in the United Kingdom in the period up to March 2025, with an average pass rate of 44.9%. In the same period, more than 1.8 million practical tests were carried out, with a slightly higher success rate of 48.7%.
According to the same source, the data does not specify how many of these exams were repeated, but it reveals a growing trend of candidates needing several attempts before passing.
“Life can get in the way of the best preparation”
The publication explains that, in several regions of the country, the waiting time to book the practical exam exceeded six months at the beginning of this year. The pressure and “extra nerves” of the day, associated with long deadlines and repeated failures, have a direct impact on candidates’ performance.
“It is easy to underestimate the level of knowledge required to pass the theory test,” said Emma Bush, general director of AA Driving School, quoted by the British channel. The person in charge added that “life can interfere with studies and increase anxiety at the time of the test”.
Challenge that goes beyond driving
The report also highlights that British driving tests are considered among the most demanding in Europe, both due to the complexity of the theoretical questions and the rigorous practical assessment. Despite this, the numbers show that thousands of candidates continue to persist, even after successive failures.
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