Would you pass your driving test again?

With the UK driving test in the process of being overhauled and improved, Which? Car asked five drivers to re-sit the test. Three of them failed.

This snapshot research examined five people aged from 21 to 64 to get an impression of current driving standards.

To pass the test, drivers must accrue no more than 15 ‘standard' faults and no serious faults. The poor scores - and examiner's criticisms - show how driving can deteriorate.

Emily Wells, 21, had held a driving licence for just two years and nine months. She failed with 17 standard driving faults.

Tim Pitt, 30, gained only 11 faults, but one was serious - when turning right at a roundabout, he didn't signal as he approached the exit - so he failed.

Claire Evans, 44, fared the best of the bunch, passing with only nine driving faults. This was a relief for Which? Car as she's the deputy editor.

Mr X, 54, (an anonymous participant) notched up 14 driving fault points, but failed as two were serious - not once checking any blind spots; and using every one of the car's gears, rather than skipping unnecessary ones, when slowing down.

Retired 64-year-old Jim Hart clocked up only 11 faults and passed the test.

The most common errors were not checking blind spots when moving off and not using mirrors consistently enough.

Richard Headland, editor, Which? Car, says: "As the driving test is getting tougher, it's a good time to reassess your skills - or lack of them. We recommend that even experienced drivers take refresher or advanced driving courses over the years, which not only improve driving, but may also lower insurance premiums."