21/08/2026
🛻 More than half of older drivers don’t believe they would pass their driving test today, despite outperforming younger motorists when it comes to recognising road signs.
🤨Research by First Response Finance found that more than half named the theory test as their biggest concern.
⚠More than half of older drivers don’t believe they would pass their driving test today, despite outperforming younger motorists when it comes to recognising road signs.
Research by First Response Finance found that more than half named the theory test as their biggest concern.
More than a third of drivers said they didn't know the answer to key Highway Code questions, including how to avoid fuel spillage, what type of crossing allows cyclists to ride across with pedestrians, and what to do when stopping in a congested tunnel.
As part of the research, respondents were shown eight road signs and asked whether they felt confident they knew what each one meant. Drivers aged 65 and over were among the best at recognising most signs, with between 93% and 98% correctly identifying several of the signs shown.
One respondent, 74, from Cardiff said: "I think I am a good driver, but I think if I had to take a test, they would fail me simply because of my age."
An older driver from Nottingham said: "I would need to revise the new Highway Code changes to be fully confident."
Jonathan Such, motoring expert at First Response Finance, said: "With older driver safety under review, it's important the conversation looks at the full picture. Eyesight is clearly a vital part of safe driving, but confidence around up to date rules and theory knowledge matters too.
"The key takeaway isn't that older drivers are necessarily unsafe, but that confidence around modern rules and theory knowledge appears to fade over time. For anyone who passed years ago, a simple Highway Code refresh can make a real difference. Drivers should revisit rules around stopping distances, tunnel safety, cyclist crossings, road signs and recent updates to guidance.
"Experience is valuable, but it works best when it's paired with up to date knowledge."
✍ Neil Shaw
