New research has revealed that 60% of young drivers aged 18-24 still rely on superstitions and even lucky pants to pass their driving test.
Nearly half (44%) admitted that nerves affected their test in some way, with just 13% claiming they weren’t anxious at all, according to the study for the AA Driving School.
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.
However, 7% admitted to wearing lucky pants, 6% said they carried a lucky charm and 9% said they took natural remedies such as Rescue Remedy before their practical test.
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.
Fact: in 2017 more than 1,700,000 people took their driving test – and just 46.7% passed
“Passing your driving test and getting on the road is a real milestone for many people,” said Edmund King, AA President.
“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.”
Top ways that nerves affected drivers were:
- 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