Warning issued to anyone who passed driving test before theory exam became law

Older drivers have been given a warning after a study uncovered a staggering statistic about basic driving rules.

Millions of drivers in the UK were never required to take a theory test, as they passed their driving test before 1996 when the law was introduced.

Opinions on how effective the online test is are varying, with some suggesting they can't remember what they learnt at all, while others argue it's important to be aware of basic road rules.

But the real controversy is that the test has only been in place for under 30 years.

And new studies have revealed a discrepancy between older and younger drivers when it comes to knowing road laws and traffic guidelines.

Older drivers could need to brush up on their knowledge. (John Lamb/Getty images)

Despite the study coming to the conclusion that older drivers are more aware of basic road safety laws than motorists aged 17-24, they still need to brush up on their knowledge.

The Express reported that 19 percent of drivers aged 55 or over didn't know what triangular road signs are used for, and 16 percent weren't aware of which lights were most appropriate for motorway driving.

In an even more brutal stat, it was revealed that nine percent of drivers aged 55 or over didn't know what the national speed limit was.

The study also found that 27 percent of older motorists weren't able to answer what motorists should do if they are forced to slow down quickly on motorway, too.

Connor Campbell, expert at Independent Advisor Car Insurance, claimed that the results of the study were 'shocking', and that more needs to be done to ensure that all drivers on the road are safe and aware of basic road signs and procedures.

Younger drivers didn't have great knowledge either. (The Good Brigade/Getty images)

Speaking to BirminghamLive, he said: "With fixed penalty notices witnessing a sharp rise since the code change in 2022, it’s crucial to regularly revisit the Highway Code to ensure you are up-to-date with the latest road laws.

“This is vital for refreshing your knowledge and will help you avoid hefty fines and costly penalty points."

But it isn't just older drivers that should be cautious, as 67 percent of drivers aged 17-24 struggled to answer at least four correctly in the study, with one in ten getting every answer incorrect.

This is while 13 percent of drivers aged 55 and above managed to answer all of the questions correctly.

It might be worth giving your theory book a reread.