Bad habits develop ‘two weeks after passing driving test’

Motorists begin driving without a seatbelt just two weeks after passing their test, according to new research by commissioned by Comparethemarket.com.

Furthermore, after three weeks they are tailgating and even illegally using their phone to text when driving.

The study, timed ahead of the new driving test from December 4, also found just under one fifth of those with a driving licence are “concerned” about their current driving ability, with half believing they wouldn’t pass the new test if they were to re-take it now.

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

Further bad habits were revealed, as motorists admitted to making phone calls behind the wheel just three weeks into driving solo, while steering one-handed took just five weeks to creep into their repertoire.

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

“The test has been updated with a change in required manoeuvres and sat nav is now integral to the exam,” explained Simon McCulloch of comparethemarket.com. “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%) 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.”

Comparethemarket.com has launched an online test to see how motorists fare with the new driving test requirements.