Although the UK statistically has one of the best international road safety records, there is serious concern that the accident casualty rate, in common with the rest of the world, is highest amongst young and inexperienced drivers. Greater control of the structure of driver training and increased resources for enforcement will have a more significant influence. A pass certificate doesn't mean the holder is a good driver with nothing more to learn, though some new drivers clearly think that passing makes them instant experts. Every year 1,000 people die in road traffic accidents involving a young driver. Some 13,000 of these were male.
Most candidates take their test in a relatively small low powered car.
Driving a powerful vehicle in a living room type environment seriously distracts the new driver from the safe driving that was learnt to pass the driving test. Where candidates receive plenty tuition and practice on all types of roads in different traffic conditions they are much likely to pass first time. Because many candidates are taking the test before they are ready, often using a Driving School car, examiners now record the instructors' licence ID on all tests. Female candidates taking the theory driving test have a better pass rate than males and the male candidates have a better pass rate than females on the practical test. Candidates fail a practical test where a driving mistakes are habitual or are considered potentially or actually dangerous.