Nerves can have a crippling effect on learner drivers once they get to test day. AA Driving School instructors have recalled particularly superstitious students whose desire to get their full licence resulted in unusual rituals:

One pupil wore the T-shirt she had on when she gave birth to her daughter (now seven years old) and the trousers she wore before she conceived.

Another had failed three times due to nerves. On her fourth attempt she had read that bananas were key to alertness so ate two bananas before her test and passed. She also swapped her lucky cowboy boots that she had worn on her other attempts for her trainers.

One learner bought a car shortly before she took her test. For good luck her mum cracked an egg on each tyre and bought her an ‘evil eye’ toy to ward off people’s envy and jealousy. She passed.