Highway Code
The driving test is 75 years old - the compulsory UK driving test was introduced in 1935.
When the test was introduced almost 250,000 people applied to take their tests, from a small team of only just 250 examiners.
Now with over twenty five million cars on the road, test pass rates have dropped from 63% pass rate in 1935 to only 44 per cent of learner drivers passing.
But although both the road conditions and cars have changed considerably the test itself has changed relatively little. Training of examiners has become more stringent, more classifications have been identified for different classes of vehicle and since 1996 would-be drivers have been made to complete a theory element as well as a practical one.
Yet the practical test remains largely unaltered, prompting criticisms from driver and safety bodies who say driving in 2010 produces a whole new set of challenges than those faced by drivers 50 years ago.
Motoring organisations want the inclusion of an out of town element to the test in a bid to reduce the statistic of 71 per cent of road deaths occurring on rural roads, further they feel motorway driving testing should be included during tutition and as an element of the test.
Currently newly qualified drivers are only advised to undertake Pass Plus, a non-compulsory training course that introduces several fundamental elements many believe should feature in the test itself, including driving on motorways, in all weather, at night and on motorways and rural roads. Many feel this pass plus should become compulsory
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