Drivers begin to develop bad habits just two weeks after passing their test

Drivers begin to develop bad habits just two weeks after passing their test, according to research.

A study found after just 14 days motorists begin driving without a seatbelt on, while after three weeks they are tailgating and even illegally using their phone to text when driving.

The research, commissioned by Comparethemarket.com in light of the new driving test regulations coming into practise from the 4 December 2017, also found just under one fifth of those with a driving licence are “concerned” about their current driving ability.

Ahead of the new test being rolled out, the study also found two thirds of motorists agreed the driving test is harder now than when they passed.

And half believe they wouldn’t pass the new driving test if they were to re-take it now.

Comparethemarket.com have released an online test to see how motorists fare with the new driving test requirements which you can take here – https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/content/driving-test-take-2/

The poll, conducted via OnePoll.com, also revealed UK drivers’ least favourite manoeuvre is the parallel park, which is being kept in the new test.

Simon McCulloch, Director at comparethemarket.com said: “Ahead of the new driving regulations being integrated into the practise exam, we wanted to find out how existing drivers felt about the new requirements.

“We also wanted to understand current driving habits, and test how Brits would fare if they were to participate in the new exam.”

Further bad habits were revealed, as motorists admitted to making phone calls behind the wheel just three weeks into driving solo.

And steering one-handed took just five weeks to creep into their bad habit repertoire.

Despite three quarters of motorists claiming to be good drivers, 71 per cent confess to developing poor practices over time.

And just under four fifths admitted that they could work to be a better driver.

When asked the correct tread depth of a tyre, one of the new vehicle safety questions to be included in the test, just one in three motorists answered correctly.

Simon McCulloch added: “The test has been updated with a change in required manoeuvres and sat nav is now integral to the exam.

“There is also an increased length of independent driving in the new test, to 20 minutes.

“Changing this element of the test will see more test routes on high speed roads, leaving nearly half of drivers (44 per cent) concerned about their own safety with learners now also practising on these roads.

“Motorists also expressed concern that car insurance rates would rise due to the worry that more learners will practise driving on bigger and faster roads, although there is no evidence that this will be the case.”