Is the theory test a way of making money?

Question

Hey everyone,

I have just taken and failed my motorbike theory test. I got 39 out of 50, I passed the Hazard part of the test. All week I have taken mock theory tests from online websites and from a CD/DVD I bought.

I passed every single time at home (with getting help from people or checking online) yet, 20% of the questions were completely ridicules.

I just find the whole theory test thing a bit of a money maker scheme for the government because I have to now pay out £30 to re-take the test. Before the test ever existed people learnt to drive to a high standard so why do we need it now?

My reason for saying its a money making scheme is because I passed my driving theory test easily, they have made the tests harder for no reason.!

Whats your views?

Answer 1

I disagree, learning the rules of the road is very important, i don't think the test is hard enough, the amount of people i know who don't understand most road signs is quite shocking. The roads are busier now than they used to be, so the test is more difficult. You're just feeling sore because you failed.

Answer 2

It's supposed to be about learning the Highway Code etc but I think a lot of it is common sense when answering the questions. Most of the learning is done on the road - I agree with it costing a ridiculous amount of money to keep taking it. I was lucky to pass my theory first time but after reading 4 'official' theory test question books there was only 2 questions that appeared on the screen when I was taking it! It cost me nearly £100 to take my driving test plus £28 (I think) for the theory. It's supposed to be there to make people better drivers but as I said before it's down to the individual driver and common sense.

Answer 3

I definitely think it is a way of making money.

I have done the test three times (the first was in about 1997 for my car licence and it was just 35 questions on a piece of paper)  then again in 2006 for my bike licence. I was one point blow the pass rate for the hazard perception and had to re do it.

It is a total con.

If you think about it, what is the test actually covering? Yes, it does cover the highway code but before the test came out people managed perfectly well. Not only that, but the hazard perception is a waste of time as the hazards that it tests are identified by some random "expert". For example, do you click on the sign for a school? It is a hazard when children are coming to and from school, but not at other times of the day. Since you don't know when the video was taken, is clicking when you see a sign warning of a school excessive or not.

Hazard perception is only something you can learn from experience. Watching videos is all well and good but it is no substitute for the real thing. The feedback you get from a qualified driving instructor is far more important than what those stupid tests say.

I think the theory is totally unnecessary. when you sit your practical test you are tested in hazard perception by your examiner and they could also run you through the highway code if that was so important. The only reason they have a separate test is to get more money out of anyone wanting to drive while at the same time claiming to want to improve safety.