Clever people more likely to fail their driving test

THE brighter you are, the less likely you are to pass your driving test first time, a report has revealed today.

And creative types who prefer the arts perform better than drivers who are good at maths and science.

Experts suspect drivers with more academic minds may over-think the challenge they are facing, compared with people who have a more practical and hands-on approach to the problem.

The study found 59 per cent of drivers with no qualifications passed their test first time but only 50 per cent of those with GCSEs or equivalent did the same. Those with a degree passed in one attempt 48 per cent of the time and this fell further to 47 per cent for someone with a postgraduate qualification.

Those taking arts subjects at A-Level and above passed quickest – taking an average of 1.9 attempts compared to 2.3 attempts for those specialising in science and maths. The research by insurer Privilege Drive X- pert was based on analysis of 1,564 people with a full British driving licence.

Dr Lee Hadlington, senior lecturer in Psychology at De Montfort University said: ‘Those who don’t have formal qualifications could be in roles that rely more heavily on procedural skills like motor control, hence they may be better suited to activities like passing a driving test.’