Driving tests around the world

With UK driving test pass rates plummeting year on year, now at just 46.3% on average, Zuto has analysed over 190 countries to find out how practical and theory exams vary around the world, and which countries have the easiest and most difficult tests.

Alongside this, we’ve explored the cheapest and most expensive tests, the longest and hardest theory tests, medical requirements, and finally, a selection of the most bizarre requirements from around the world.

Egypt Until recently, Egyptian drivers only had to drive forwards and backwards 6 metres to pass their test, however, this has since been toughened up with the addition of a 10-question theory test.

The Philippines The practical test in the Philippines involves doing one loop of a preset driving course that only involves right turns.

Uganda Uganda's theory test is 30 questions long - but you only need to get 25% correct to pass.

Mexico In some Mexican states, you only have to pass a theory exam to get a license. This includes Estado de Mexico and Baja California. Up until 2018 you didn't have to take any test to obtain a license.

Columbia The practical driving test is scored out of 10, and you only need to get 5 points to pass!

India During India's practical test, learners only have to drive in a straight line, turn left, and stop after 50 yards in order to pass.

South Sudan Drivers in South Sudan don't always have to take a practical test, if they can prove they’re ‘fit to drive’.

Burundi Many people drive without legal driver licenses here, and those who do have one don’t have to take any prior training or lessons.

Indonesia Here, you only need to get 21 questions out of 30 correct to pass your theory test, and the practical test involves simple tasks like driving forwards, reversing, and driving up and downhill.

Honduras Historically, you never had to pass an exam to obtain a driving license, however, more recently Honduras has brought in a simple written test, but no practical exam.

Japan Learners in Japan are expected to attend a mandatory driving camp for 26 hours. Requirements also involve taking a theory exam, five days driving practice, and finally a practical exam.

China In China, the theory test contains 100 questions and requires you to memorise 1,000 in total. There are then two separate practical assessments, followed by a final theory test.

Croatia New drivers in Croatia must attend 70-100 hours of mandatory driving school before attempting their test. Your personality type and fitness to drive is also assessed.

Montenegro Learners on their practical test are only allowed to make three errors before failing. Before getting a licence, you must also be examined by an ophthalmologist and a psychiatrist.

Ukraine Learners taking their practical test in Ukraine are only allowed to make two mistakes before getting an instant fail.

Australia In parts of Australia, learners have to log 120 hours of experience with an instructor before they can take their final practical test.

Singapore Here you must pass two intense theory tests before you can apply for your practical test. Each test contains 50 questions and take 50 minutes to complete.

France French learner drivers have to clock up 3,000km behind the wheel with an instructor before they can book their practical test.

Russia Russia's theory test only allows for one mistake out of 20 multiple choice questions. There are also two separate practical tests; an obstacle driving course and on-road exam.

Vietnam Vietnam's theory test is a staggering 450 questions long!

UK vs. the world

In the last decade, figures from GOV.UK show a decline in UK pass rates, most dramatically in the theory test, where the current pass rate stands at 45.2%, falling from 63.1% in 2010.

Practical pass rates have also decreased since the test was updated in 2017, with the addition of independent driving and safety questions. Currently, the figures for young drivers are at an all-time low just 45.7% passing first time. In comparison, the pass rates in 2015/16 were around 47.9% on average.

With this in mind, we used our findings to measure how difficult the UK test is compared to other countries. Whilst by no means do we have the most difficult test, thankfully we have a more rigorous procedure than the likes of India, Mexico, and Uganda.

Most expensive tests

In the UK, it currently costs £23.00 to take the theory test and £62.00 for the practical test from Monday to Friday. During the weekend, it costs £75.00. To obtain your provisional license, you’ll also have to pay £34.00. Whilst this may seem like a lot to fork out, other countries charge much more.

Revealing the world’s most expensive driving tests, we’ve converted national currencies to highlight how much it would cost to pay for each test in GBP. For countries where it’s mandatory to attend a driving school, where possible, we’ve also included the price you would expect to pay for training.

1. Croatia - £930 - It costs around €1,000 to attend a mandatory driving school, plus 25 euros for the license.
2. Malaysia - £505 - You would expect to pay RM2,700 for a 7- 10-week course that includes 3 attempts at the theory test and unlimited retesting for the final practical exam.
3. Andorra - £401 - It costs around €370 to take the driving test, plus a €70 license fee.
4. Germany - £380 - The theory test costs €123.49, whilst the practical test costs €290.75.
5. Norway - £378 - More expensive than the practical test, which is €115, you’ll pay €300 to take your theory test.
6. Bahrain - £361 - A learner license costs 35 BHD, whilst 22 hours of training and test booking costs 140 BHD.
7. Sweden - £338 - The theory (Including Risk Training) test costs 3025kr and the practical test costs 800kr.
8. Brazil - £213 - You'll pay around R$800 to R$1,500 to obtain your full driving licence.
9. France - £184 - It costs €200 euro to take the French driving test.
10. Brunei - £160 - The theory test is B$120, whilst the practical test is $160.

Medical tests

Whilst in the UK, there is no requirement to take a medical test before obtaining your driving licence, in 21 of the 190 countries we studied, this is a legal requirement. From colour blindness to psychology exams, we’ve pulled out the strictest medical tests that learners are required to sit.

Nicaragua Nicaraguans must complete an 8-page psychology test to identify any potential road rage before getting a learner's licence.

Thailand In Thailand, you must take a peripheral vision test, along with a colour blindness test.

Montenegro To pass in Montenegro, you will have to spend 38 euros to be examined by an ophthalmologist and a psychiatrist.

Brazil Here, you must complete and pass a psychological behaviour exam before you are allowed on the roads.

Cameroon New drivers require a certificate of 'mental and physical fitness' from a qualified doctor.

Chile Psychometric and reaction times tests are taken on computers before the theory test.

Ecuador Learners must complete a series of psychometric tests, including ones on reflex, vision, and hearing.

Croatia You must be examined by a medical professional who will assess factors such as vision, hearing, and personality type.

The toughest theory tests

Weird and wonderful facts from around the world

As we compiled the data in our study, we stumbled upon some pretty bizarre testing elements. From driving tests without examiners to those with students and police officers in the back seats, take a look at the weird and wonderful requirements around the world.

• Kenya Driving tests in Kenya feature a toy car and table-top board which learners must navigate around to demonstrate road policy awareness.
• Andorra Driving tests in Andorra can only be taken on a Wednesday morning.
• Kazakhstan Here, practical tests are moderated by on-board computers which monitor the driver's performance. This means there’ll be no examiner in the car with you.
• Lesotho Due to the uneven road surfaces in Lesotho, many learners will take their test in 4x4 vehicles.
• Libya Whilst taking your practical test in Libya, it’s a tight squeeze in the car! You'll be joined by a police officer, driving instructor and other learner drivers taking their exam after you.
• Romania Theory test applicants in Romania will be photographed three times during the test to use as evidence that they actually took the exam.
• China You must complete a practical test on an obstacle course, however there will be no examiner in the car, instead you will be assessed by cameras and sensors.
• Slovenia With eco-friendly vehicles becoming increasingly popular, in Slovenia you’ll be tested on the basic techniques of energy-saving and environmentally friendly driving in your practical exam.

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Methodology

We conducted desk research into driving test regulations and driving laws in all 193 countries in the world - for 46 countries we were not able to find any data due to lack of available resources online. As part of the research, we looked at multiple different aspects of driving certification including the cost of tests and licensing fees, the minimum age permitted for learners, as well as the nature of theory, practical and medical exams required in each country. Data comes from a range of sources including government Department of Transport websites in each country, forums and expat websites, local driving schools and more.