Passing your driving test is still seen as a key milestone for many young people, a first taste of true independence. No longer do you have to rely on public transport or lifts from an understanding parent - you can take control of your own travel.
But passing that test isn't easy. With an average overall pass rate of less than 50%, most people on Britain’s roads have at least one driving test disaster behind them.
There are plenty of factors that come into play when it comes to how likely you are to pass your test, beyond how competent you are at parallel parking.
The test centre
The actual location of your test will play a big role in your chances of ditching the L plates. Earlier this month the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) published a breakdown of the pass rates by different test centres over the last six months of 2018, and there are some significant variations.
For example, Alnwick in Northumberland has a pass rate of 65.6%, while more than 70% of tests in Ballater in Aberdeenshire end in a pass.
But take your test elsewhere and the pass rate crashes. The Cobridge centre in Stoke-on-Trent for example has a pass rate of just 38.2%, while Wanstead in London passes just 35.9% of tests.
Clearly, it's a good idea to do some research on the pass rate at your local test centre before booking your test. You may boost your chances by going for your test at a centre that’s a little less local.
It's worth noting that some of the best pass rates are in test locations that are a little more rural. There is a certain logic to this - if you are taking your test on country roads then they may be less busy, and throw fewer hurdles at you than driving in busy city roads.
The time of your test
The time of day that you head out on your test can also play a part in how likely you are to pass.
Insurer Dayinsure submitted freedom of information requests a couple of years ago to get data on how pass rates vary during the day.
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It found that between 11am and 1pm was the worst time to take your test, with a pass rate of just 48.8%.
But if you take your test in the evening, your chances of passing are much improved, with a pass rate of 65.4% for tests taken between 7pm and 9pm.
Your gender
Without wanting to get into a ‘battle of the sexes’ argument about who makes the best drivers, there is a noticeable difference in pass rates between male and female drivers.
According to the DVSA statistics, in the 2018-19 period male drivers have taken just shy of 590,000 practical driving tests, with a pass rate of 49.5%.
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Female drivers have taken more tests - 674,834 - but have a pass rate of 42.4%.
Male drivers are also more likely to pass first time, with a rate of 50.4% compared to 43.1% for female drivers.
Have you had a lesson that day?
The RAC reckons that learner drivers can improve their chances of passing if they fit in a lesson at some point before their test.
The idea is that this will help calm your nerves, so that the first time you get behind the wheel that day isn't with an inspector staring at you.
This can also help you go over any last-minute tips and get in some final practice on any manoeuvres you struggle with.
How old are you?
It may surprise you, but 17-year olds actually have the best success rate when it comes to passing their driving test.
Analysis of DVSA data by PassMeFast found that 17-year olds have a pass rate of a whopping 55.8%.
Evidently people that are passionate about getting out on the road as soon as they are old enough to do so are likely to put the work in to pass their test at the first time of asking .
That success rate drops sharply to 48.2% for 18 year olds, and while things remain steady at around 47% for people up to the age of 26, from this point pass rates drop steadily up to the age of 43, with a pass rate of just 35.4%.
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Why people fail their driving test
Finally, it's worth noting precisely why people tend to fail their test, so that you are well aware of what to avoid.
According to the most recent data from the DVSA, these are the most common reasons for a failed test:
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Observation of situation at junctions
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Checking mirrors when changing direction
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Steering control
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Turning right at junctions
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Moving off safely
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Positioning of the car during normal driving
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Control of the car when moving off
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Responding to traffic lights
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Control of the car when reverse parking
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Responding to traffic signs
