To settle the argument once and for all, insurer Admiral teamed up with the Driving Instructors Association to uncover which gender is best behind the wheel from learning to drive through to heading out on to the road as a qualified driver.
First, instructors were asked if gender actually makes a difference to learning to drive – and the answer? A resounding yes with 67% of instructors saying they think gender has an impact and for male learners, it’s good news – well, at first glance at least:
Which gender is quicker at learning to drive?
Men 74% vs. Women 26%
But dig deeper and the gender advantage becomes less clear cut:
Which gender is more focused when learning to drive?
Men 38% vs. Women 62%
According to instructors, each gender’s strength and weaknesses are also different:
**Men ***Pros: *Confidence • Coordination • Spatial awareness *Cons: *Over-confident • Don’t listen to instruction.
**Women ***Pros: *Listen to instruction • Not competitive • Self aware *Cons: *Lack of confidence • Over-cautious.
A mixed bag then – perhaps then pass rates can shed some light on the age-old argument? According to the Driving and Vehicles Standards Agency:
Theory Test (passed first time)
Men 48% vs. Women 51%
Practical Test (passed first time)
Men 51% vs. Women 44%
So that’s a little too close to call – but out in the real world, the difference a gender can make becomes all too apparent:
14% more men aged between 17-18 make accident claims than young women
42% more young men have accidents where someone is injured than young woman
91% more The average cost of an accident involving a young man compared to one involving a young woman.
The bottom line? When it comes to safer real world driving, statistics show young women are ahead with men potentially remaining over-confident after they’ve passed the test. Does your own real world experience back up the official research though? Let us know below.
– To read the full report, click here.