Driving tests flunked by half of attempters

Photo: Ants Liigus

As evidenced by practical driving test statistics, nearly half of would-be-drivers fail to pass at initial try. For quite a few, multiple attempts are needed.

According to Road Administration data, 11,613 people did practical driving tests in Estonia over the first half-year; of these, 6,442 passed. The theoretical exam, however, was taken by 10,021 and for most it went well – with 7,607 people passing.

Estonian Driving Schools Association president Enn Saard thinks the reason is that theoretical exams are of a more concrete nature and in that case being nervous makes little difference. «While doing the driving test in traffic, however, it’s not just up to you – there are many more side issues,» said Mr Saard. «During a driving test, one may be heavily influenced by things like the examiner looking severe, or some other driver making a mistake.»

Forgotten by retest

According to Mr Saard, those that have slipped often take the tests three of more times, while admission to the next test keeps being postponed. «To do a retest, one must wait in line again and often they do not practice driving while waiting,» said Mr Saard, adding that thus they slip up again at the retest and go for another round. «Often, a long time will have passed since the last driving lesson – and no one can be forced to take extra lessons,» he explained.

With taking the tests at driving schools, problems may also occur. Reet (last name known to Postimees – edit), a student of Tartu Raatuse Driving School – closed down by now – who took their driving test twice, thinks the school just wanted to earn some extra money on her.

«I flunked the driving school exam twice and they tried to make me see I couldn’t drive at all,» said Reet. Thereafter, the young lady collected her papers and went to a different school. «In a month, I had passed my tests at ARK (Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Centre – edit) and the licence in my pocket,» said Reet.

Enn Saard admitted this may be the case in some schools – with people intentionally flunked. «Regrettably, this can’t be excluded... at tests, one can always find a fault,» said Mr Saard.

Still, he claims this is a rare exception in the good driving schools. «In a driving school with a lot of work on their hands, hardly would they do a thing like that,» said he.

Scarce driving practice

Mr Saard said people might change schools should they feel they know how to drive by examiners keep claiming the opposite. He also stated a driving test price at schools should be about €18.

According to Road Administration examination department chief specialist Rutt Riiberg, the main thing aspiring drivers lack is still the driving practice. «On certain conditions, it is possible to acquire driving practice with a driving supervisor,» advised Ms Riiberg. The supervisor may be father, mother or a friend who has possessed the corresponding category driving licence for a minimum of five years. A supervisor may not have valid punishments for serious traffic offences and he needs to have a Road Administration certificate regarding conformity to supervisor criteria.

Enn Saard said they have indeed advised that driving students use the supervisor option. «The option is increasingly being used as extra lessons cost money and all may not be able to afford that.»

Road Administration says it is the various manoeuvres and turns that are the hardest for would-be-drivers. «When doing a left turn, one must watch the upcoming vehicles while letting pedestrian and cyclists pass,» said Rutt Riiberg, adding that they will also need to locate themselves correctly on the line and avoid overly obstructing the traffic flow. «All that is pretty much for a young driver to take and, therefore, this is a stumbling stone at state driving tests as well.»