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Problems with driver training: only 18% pass the exam on the first attempt

Only 21% of candidates pass the theory exam on the first try, and even fewer pass the practical exam, only 16%.

Future drivers make the most mistakes at unregulated intersections, when recognizing road markings and traffic control gestures.

Pavlo Soroka, Deputy Head of the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Head of the Regional Service Center in Kyiv, answered all these questions in an exclusive commentary for Komersant ukrainskyi.

Statistics show an insufficient level of training for driver candidates. Pavlo Soroka notes that since the beginning of 2025, almost 73 thousand theoretical exams have already been held in Ukraine.

“Only 27% of those who prepared on their own passed it on the first attempt. Graduates of driving schools show an even lower rate – only 18%. In general, the average rate of passing the theory on the first try is about 21%,” emphasizes Pavlo Soroka.

As for the practical exam, the situation is even more complicated.

“Since the beginning of the year, we have already conducted about 93 thousand practical exams, and only 16% of candidates passed them on the first try. This indicates the low quality of driver training,” adds Soroka.

The main mistakes on the exams

According to Soroka, the most common mistakes made by driver candidates during the theory exam are the following

• driving through unregulated intersections;
• road markings and signs;
• traffic control signals.

The most common mistakes in the practical test are

• failure to give a turn signal in time;
• uncertainty about the safety of the maneuver;
• failure to give way to pedestrians.

“There are cases when the examiner has to intervene to prevent a collision with other vehicles,” adds Pavlo Soroka.

Control over the exams

Pavlo Soroka emphasizes that control over the exams has been significantly tightened.

“There are at least four cameras in the classrooms where the theory is taught, covering the entire perimeter of the classroom. They record both video and audio. In addition, the Face ID system is used to identify candidates,” explains Pavlo Soroka.

The official also warns future drivers against using the services of fraudsters.

“I would like to appeal to driver candidates: do not trust the so-called “assistants” who guarantee a successful exam. Control over the process is very tight, and any violations will be detected. If the analytics show that there have been violations, your license may be revoked and you may be held administratively or even criminally liable,” summarized Pavlo Soroka.

Thus, high-quality training is the only reliable way to get a driver’s license and ensure safety on the roads.