Top 10 Driving Test Facts

The test was introduced in 1935 and Mr Beere was the first person to pass. Presumably, he set the precedent for tearing-up L plates, taking a photograph and sharing it on Facebook.

In 1935, there were no test centres so a candidate had to wait for the examiner while desperately trying to remember the Highway Code. The 2 parties had to meet at (say) a post office, train station or town hall. The pass rate was 63% compared to about 47% in 2014.

In 1935, the cost of the test was 7/6d which is about 37.5 pence in today's money. And no, payment was not accepted by online transfer.

Motoring in 1935 was statistically more hazardous than now. In the UK, there were 7,343 people killed on the road and 2.4 million registered vehicles. In the year ending June 2014, there were only 1,760 fatalities even though the number of vehicles – by the end of September 2014 – had risen to 35.9 million. Hurray for air bags.

During World War 2, a new motorist was not required to sit the test. This left him/her free to concentrate on more pressing issues. Compulsory testing was reintroduced on November 1st 1946.

Since 1975, a student has not been required to use hand signals to indicate a change of direction during the test. By this point, the number of vehicles without indicators or trafficators had dwindled so there was little need to furiously wave at other road users.

In 1996, the theory test was introduced to enable the learner to demonstrate understanding of the Highway Code. Naturally, most of this knowledge vanishes the moment the student drives unsupervised.

Since December 2001, a candidate has been able to book a test online. A year later, a hazard awarenesses test was introduced to be taken alongside the theory. A computer shows a series of short video clips from a driver's perspective. The learner then has to identify hazards by clicking a button. How times have changed since 1935.

Since the first driving test was introduced 80 years ago, in excess of 46 million tests have been taken.