Drivers who pass their practical test first time are not the safest drivers, according to research commissioned by British car insurance company LV=.
The study looked at the driving records of those who passed after one, two, three or four or more driving tests and found those who take three attempts to pass are actually the safest drivers on the road.
The report also found that those who have to take their test multiple times before passing are less likely to be pulled over for drink-driving or dangerous driving, the Daily Mail reported.
“Third-time passers are least likely to be involved in collisions, bumps or scrapes while overly confident first-time passers are the most likely to be involved in an accident,” the report concluded.
“Despite the common belief, those who pass their test first time are not the safest drivers.
“This is thought to be down to over confidence – with these drivers exhibiting the highest level of self-assurance in their driving ability and more likely to describe their driving as ‘perfect’.”
Meanwhile, third-time passers were more likely to describe their approach to driving as ‘safe’ and ‘cautious’.
Two thirds of the 2,000 motorists polled, 53% of which had taken their practical driving test more than once, agreed that having to take their practical driving test more than once made them a better driver.
Nearly a third (32%) of those who fail first time said it made them more careful on the road, while almost as many (29%) said they learned from the mistakes they made.
A similar proportion (27%) felt they became more skilled with the extra practice, the Daily Mail reported.
Selwyn Fernandes, managing director of LV= car insurance, said: “Are first time passers confident because they pass first time? Or did they pass first time because they’re confident? Either way, it seems that those who pass on their first attempt may be more rash once they take to the road.”
By contrast he said: “If you fail first time, you could take comfort in the fact that your natural nervousness or caution will serve you well once you get a licence.”
