Tens of thousands of learner drivers are taking more than six practical tests before passing, according to the latest figures.

Examination data, collected by the Department for Transport has revealed among the 1.5 million tests taken in a year by budding new motorists, more than 50,000 of those bookings were someone's sixth attempt or more.

The statistics, for the 12 months to April, have been collated by the RAC Foundation which has been investigating the recent pass rates among new drivers.

Of the 50,875 tests taken by learners who had already sat five previous practical examinations, around 40% of them - or 20,346 - resulted in a pass.

This is compared to a 49% pass rate for all 1,538,314 practical tests sat during the same period where the pass rate for first time test candidates was also 49%.

Learners aged 60 and over were behind the wheel for 290 of the tests taken by candidates with a minimum of five previous failures. Their pass rate was 27% for men and 19% for women.

The cost of a driving test, according to the government website, is currently £62 for weekdays and £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

However there are likely to be extra charges attached to each exam as candidates must also book in with their own instructor in the majority of cases for use of their car and often some lesson time to practice just ahead of sitting the test.

By the middle of 2020, the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent UK-wide lockdowns had led to a shortage of driving test appointments as capacity couldn't keep up with the backlog and demand once test centres and examiners were permitted to begin working again as restrictions eased.

With thousands of new drivers waiting to get their full licence it was also revealed that some new motorists were driving up to 100 miles away for an available examination appointment while others were logging on in the early hours of the morning to try and snap up available cancellations.

Steve Gooding, RAC Foundation director, believes these latest figures suggest the after effects of Covid-19 could still be having an impact on many drivers who may be booking available exam slots despite not being fully ready to take the test, fearing a much longer delay if they don't take the appointment they're being offered.

He explained: "One loud and clear message this data reveals is that however hard some people find it to pass their test becoming a qualified driver is so important to them that it is worth the money, time and energy involved in battling on to secure their licence. The data might also be of some reassurance to those who suspect the practical test is too easy – for some that’s clearly far from the case.

"To some extent covid might be playing a part – the covid-induced backlog of tests tempting learners to apply for their tests as soon as they can and accepting whatever slot they are offered – whether they are ready or not – for fear of a long wait if they delay.

"Of course, one other conclusion to be drawn from the figures is that driving might not be the thing for some people."