More people have failed their driving test than have managed to pass it since a stricter version of the test was introduced three years ago.

Statistics provided to The Times by the Malta Tourism Authority (ADT) show that just under 16,000 failures have been registered since October 2004, when a new test based on the British model started to be applied. That translates into a 54 per cent failure rate compared to a mere 10 per cent before this time.

Whereas the tests are now run by driving examiners employed by the ADT, in the past they used to be conducted by police officers. It was far easier to pass in those days, as I found out when I did the test as part the research I carried out for this story. Despite my 10 years of driving experience, I failed.

Following the test, just like they do with every aspiring motorist, the driving examiner gave me a run-down of my mistakes and the reasons for failing.

He had counted eight occasions when both hands were not on the steering wheel, in the "ten-to-two o'clock" position as they were supposed to be. He had also taken note of every time I did not look into the rear-view mirror when I changed down a gear or when I used the indicator.

I was certainly not alone in having failed. Between October 2004 and September this year, more than 28,900 driving tests were carried out. Of these, 15,855, or 54 per cent, failed.

Between October 2004 and September 2005, when the driving examiners were probably even stricter in view of the fact that the test had only just been introduced, as many as 60 per cent didn't get through. The pass rate has since been on the rise.

On the other hand, the percentage of failures in the theory part of the test alone are also rising. The 25 per cent failure rate in 2005 increased to 30 per cent in 2006 and again to 48 per cent between January and November this year.

The theory test consists of 35 questions on a computer touch-screen on issues related to safety, car knowledge, driving aptitude, traffic signs and the Highway Code. In order to pass the test, candidates have to reply correctly to 30 of the questions.

Prospective candidates have to purchase a copy of the Highway Code for Lm1 (e2.33) and a theory test CD for Lm3 (€6.99). The candidate then books the theory test against a fee of Lm13 (€30.28). If this test is failed, every test undertaken thereafter will cost Lm9.50 (€22.13).

When the application for the driving licence is submitted to the Licensing and Testing Department within the Malta Transport Authority, a learner permit is issued against a fee of Lm10 (€23.29). Around two or three weeks prior to taking the practical driving test, the candidate must pay another fee of Lm10 (€23.29) and this fee is charged every time the candidate sits this test.

After a pass is obtained, the motorist is given a three-year probationary driving licence against a fee of Lm8.50 (€19.80). During these three years, the motorist has to be very careful not to be slapped with more than 12 points because the driving licence will be revoked and the driving test has to be undertaken from scratch with all the costs it involves.

In order to accompany a candidate during the driving test, driving instructors charge between Lm15 (€34.94) and Lm20 (€46.59). This covers the risk involved, they say, because of the fact that they are not in control of the car during the test.

Indeed, business is booming for driving instructors, whose lessons are in higher demand due to the stricter test, one instructor told The Times. They charge an average of Lm5 (€11.64) for a 45-minute lesson. Prospective motorists are told they need to take around 30 driving lessons before sitting the test.

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