Most drivers think they're perfectly capable behind the wheel, but a What Car? investigation reveals that even the most experienced drivers wouldn't be able to pass their driving test today.

An alarming 75% failed the re-test they took as part of the investigation.

This follows a survey on whatcar.com in which 79% of people said the standard of driving on our roads is getting worse – yet only 31% of them admitted their own ability behind the wheel was below par.

What Car? editor, Steve Fowler, said: 'It's no surprise driver error is partly responsible for 95% of car accidents in the UK. We see examples of bad driving every day on our roads, but most people think they are perfectly safe behind the wheel.

'Every year more than 3200 people die on our roads and 28,000 are seriously injured, so it's about time we all took responsibility for our own standard of driving.'

Twenty drivers retested by nationwide driving school BSM were from a range of ages, gender and locations as well as driving experience. Between them, the sample of drivers had a total of 416 years of driving under their belts. One of those retested failed the first hurdle, the initial eye test. Another candidate ventured the wrong way down a one-way street, while many failed for speeding, driving too close to the vehicle in front, coasting to a halt and signalling either incorrectly, late or not at all.

BSM road safety consultant Robin Cummins said: 'Too much emphasis is placed on the outcome of the driving test, which means learners only want to be taught how to pass the test, not how to drive well. We believe the test should be at least one hour long, which would allow it to include the types of roads on which drivers most commonly travel.'