Driver passes test – at 34th attempt

The 36-year-old woman from Heckmondwike finally passed at the 34th attempt, at the test centre in Heckmondwike on Town Street.

It is estimated she must have spent around £2,300 just in exam fees trying to pass.

She was closely followed by two Dewsbury women, who passed their car practical test on the 32nd attempt.

The figures, covering a period of nine years from 2004 to this January, highlight a similar tale of woe relating to the driving theory exam.

A 29-year-old woman from Liversedge stalled 18 times – before finally managing the pass enabling her to move on to her practical test.

She was followed by a Mirfield man, aged 28, who failed his theory test 12 times.

A request to the Driving Standards Agency, via the Freedom of Information Act, exposed the dossier of data about driving tests in Heckmondwike and theory tests at the Gallery House, The Headrow, Leeds.

Jim Kirkwood, managing director of AA Driving School, said: “While this is an unusually high number of test attempts, it’s important to remember that everyone learns at their own pace.”

Figures also show there were 12 cases of suspected identity fraud or ‘candidate impersonation’ at theory tests in Leeds in 2012.