With the vast majority of learners being taught by professional instructors, then either the teachers are rubbish or candidates are taking the test too soon, or a combination of the two. I can understand nerves playing a part, especially on the first test, but you have to wonder why candidates keep taking and failing the test. They just can't be ready for it.

Practice, practice, practice is the answer. Over as many types of road, weather, time of day etc.etc. That way, come the test, you are ready for almost anything - just like the real world.

I agree this screams out 'people taking test before they're ready.' As it seems people are failing on alot of basic things, even taking nerves into account. In alot of cases i think the instructor needs looking at for putting a person in for their test so soon, i know a learner can request one but even so its an alarming number. What shocks me is how around 40% failed the theory test, not on the hazard perception but on the questions! Admittedly i passed mine just before the test changed to 50Q and HP but even so a friend of mine is learning to drive right now and has one of those Theory Test computer software things where you can practice theory tests until you're blue in the face, and it only costs £5 and i was challenged to it recently and i got 50 out of 50 (as i b***** well should do to be honest) and around 15 of them are very easy and someone who doesnt know what a car is can answer them, about 20 are just common sense and can be worked out via process of elimination and of course certain things you just need to memorise, stopping distances etc.

I wonder if the fact people have less money now and learners may be trying to do it all in fewer lessons and putting too much pressure on themselves and trying to pass before they're ready is contributing.

Next year the DSA will stop publishing a list of potential test questions to avoid learner drivers learning by memory.

How does this achieve anything? Any theory test is prone to candidates cramming and then forgetting the information immediately afterwards. It never ceases to amaze me how organisations will look for substitutes to experience. Justifies their existence, I suppose. If they kept the status quo, people might start asking what employees at the DSA do all day.