Think Your Driving Test Is Tough? Try These Around the World

You might think that the UK’s practical and theory tests are a genuine challenge – and you’d be right. With hazard perception, vehicle-safety questions and independent driving to contend with, there’s plenty to prepare for as the big day approaches (check out our tips here for managing any nerves!).

But casting an eye over what learners in other countries need to do to get their driving licence might make you silently mouth ‘thank you’ to the driving authorities here. While there’s no definitive world ranking of test difficulty, some countries really put learners through the grinder before handing them their driving licence:

1. Sweden – learn how to get a grip… literally

Swedish learners must complete a two-part risk course before taking their theory and practical tests. First up, learn about the risks of alcohol, drugs, fatigue and risky behaviour when driving. Then things get slippery with compulsory skid-track training exploring how speed and road conditions affect control.

Not fast, not furious

It’s about understanding just how easily grip can disappear – and definitely not learning how to pull off a masterful power slide. The training focuses on avoiding loss of control in the first place, which is a vital skill when a Swedish winter can turn the country’s roads into an ice rink.

2. Japan – designed to drive you round the bend

Japanese learners must master brutal spatial-judgement exercises, including an S-shaped track and the infamous ‘crank course’ – a series of incredibly tight, angular turns. This isn’t just to torture candidates but to develop the precise wheel and body awareness needed to safely avoid the walls and roadside drainage channels on Japan’s notoriously narrow roads.

At least 57 lessons

The learning process is demanding too. Beginners face at least 26 theory lessons and 31 practical sessions for an automatic licence with learning in a manual requiring even more training. Then there are the internal exams – and a final written test at the licensing centre. Phew.

3. China – passed the road test? You’re not done yet…

In China, passing your practical driving test doesn’t mean you’re finished. After passing the initial theory exam, closed-course manoeuvres and road test, learners face another knowledge exam on safe driving and must score at least 90% to pass.

Getting that far is no small feat

Manual-car candidates must successfully demonstrate reverse and parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, curve driving and a right-angle turn as part of the closed-course assessment.

4. Singapore – experience extreme (virtual) danger!

Before even attempting their practical road test, Singaporean learners must complete three mandatory simulator modules, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes.

This isn’t Forza

The scenarios are based directly on the leading causes of real-world injury collisions. Learners encounter situations involving cyclists in blind spots, treacherous wet-weather driving and high-speed cornering on expressways. While this simulator training doesn’t replace the actual road test, it lets learners experience dangerous situations in a safe environment before getting behind the wheel by themselves.

5. Norway – the toughest of them all?

Norwegian learners must complete a four-hour practice-range safety course and a 13-hour road-safety course covering risk, country roads, overtaking and self-reflection. And simply being test-ready isn’t the end of it – Norway’s roads authority says candidates should ideally be capable of passing their test before starting that final course. Test day then brings a 55–60 minutes of driving in varying road and traffic conditions.

The ‘darkness requirement’

Night-driving training is compulsory, but Norway considers 16 March to 31 October too light to run it. That means summer candidates can pass their test first, then later complete the ‘mørkekjøringsdemonstrasjon’ module later – night-driving demonstration – as passengers with the instructor driving. You have to complete the training or your permission to drive will expire.

And the UK?

Let’s be clear – the UK practical and theory tests are no walk in the park and require serious preparation and practice. In Great Britain, the practical test lasts around 40 minutes, including roughly 35 minutes of driving, including 20 minutes of independent driving. Meanwhile, the theory test has the multiple-choice section and the dreaded hazard perception test (use our guide to acing the hazard perception test here).

However, in Great Britain, there is no minimum number of lessons or practice hours – at least, not yet – plus you aren’t required to go sideways on a skid track. It means we’ve actually got a more flexible route than many of the learners featured here. Let’s see what the next couple of years bring…

Know Your Code

Images by Dalle-E