Anxiety and performance in the British driving test

Test anxiety may degrade the quality of human performance when tasks are complex and demanding. This study was concerned with the influence of test anxiety on driving performance during the British practical driving test. Thirteen candidates participated in three sessions: (a) a normal driving lesson, (b) a mock driving test, and (c) UK Department of Transport official driving test. Anxiety was measured via psychophysiology (heart rate) and subjective self-report (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). The results indicated that state anxiety increased in accordance with the formality of evaluative scenario. Those who failed the formal driving test exhibited significantly greater increases in heart rate and state anxiety during this test than the successful candidates. These differences were not apparent during baseline conditions or the mock-driving test. The implications of the study are discussed with reference to test anxiety and consequences for driver training and testing.