There is one section of the theory test that novice drivers get wrong most often. Do you know the answers?

There is one section of the diving theory test that students struggle with more than any other, according to a new report.

A Freedom of Information request issued to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has revealed that more than 136,000 incorrect answers have been recorded in the first three months of 2024 for this single “rules of the road” question on the multiple choice element of the exam.

Now the big question is: would you know the correct answer?

Traffic rules cover areas such as speed limits and rules at different types of intersections.

And it is this element of the theoretical exam that AA Driving School reveals is the most difficult.

Camilla Benitz, managing director of AA Driving School, said it was “worrying” that one question in particular was catching so many people off guard on the theory test.

“Fundamental driving skills are too often neglected,” he said, warning students that failing to prepare for the test can be a costly mistake.

“The data shows that too many people fail the theory test, resulting in additional costs and waiting before being able to take a practical test. At £23 per theory test, the cost of re-taking it adds up.

‘Candidates should practice the theory test in the same way they practice driving – mock tests are available on the AA Driving School theory app.’

Listed below are five sample questions from the driving rules section of the theory test for you to answer. We have not provided multiple choice options to make it a little more difficult for those of you who already have a licence.

You will need to scroll to the bottom of the page* to see if you would have passed or failed this item.

These include:

1. What is the national speed limit for cars and motorcycles on a dual carriageway?

2. When is it permitted to enter a box union?

3. There are no speed limit signs on the road. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, how is the 30 mph limit generally indicated?

4. Who is authorized to tell you to stop?

5. How should you signal if you are going straight through a roundabout?

The theory test was introduced in 1996 and has been updated several times since then.

Candidates sitting the test today will need to pass both the multiple choice test (43 out of 50) and the hazard perception test (44 out of 75) before they can book their practical driving test, and will have two years between passing the theory test and passing the practical test.

The multiple-choice portion of the test consists of questions from 14 subject areas.

In 2023, more than 2.5 million theoretical exams were carried out.

Other topics on the multiple choice test that received a high number of incorrect answers in the first three months of 2024 include safety margins (98,820), safety and your vehicle (96,089), alertness (93,488), the road and traffic signs appearing in the top ten twice with one question receiving 84,153 incorrect answers and another getting 75,619.

The data also shows that in 2023, Scotland had the highest pass rate on the multiple-choice test (80.2 percent) and England the highest on hazard perception (81.1 percent).

Wales had the lowest pass rate in both elements.

*Answers

1. What is the national speed limit for cars and motorcycles on a dual carriageway? 70 mph

2. When is it permitted to enter a box union? When your path out is clear

3. There are no speed limit signs on the road. In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, how is the 30 mph limit generally indicated? For public lighting

4. Who is authorized to tell you to stop? A police officer

5. How should you signal if you are going straight through a roundabout? Signal left after passing the exit before the one you are going to take.