Research by Privilege Car Insurance found that a further four in 10 (43 per cent) think it’s likely they would fail within three years of passing their test, with one in seven (14 per cent) likely to fail both their theory and practical driving tests if they had to take them today.

One in four (25 per cent) drivers have not looked at the Highway Code since passing their test.

With a whole plethora of laws to stick to, it’s no surprise that four in 10 (39 per cent) drivers claim to know less than half of the 307 rules of the road.

This could be the reason why many have forgotten basic rules, with four in 10 (40 per cent) drivers always failing to mirror, signal, manoeuvre, half (50 per cent) not keeping to the left lane and only using the right when overtaking, and one in three (34 per cent) incorrectly using their indicators to give way to other drivers.

A shocking 80 per cent of drivers admit to speeding, with almost two in three (62 per cent) eating and drinking whilst behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, despite the threat of six penalty points on their licence, being a danger to everyone else on the road and a fine of up to £1,000, millennials are the group prone to the most in-car distractions with almost half (44 per cent) using their phones whilst behind the wheel. A further three quarters (74 per cent) of 18 to 34-year olds also admit to eating whilst driving.

More than a third (36 per cent) of Brits admit that they had no idea they were breaking the law when not following some of the Highway Code’s guidelines. However, more worryingly, 89 per cent of those polled confess to knowing that they are breaking the law when driving but continue to do so anyway. When asked why, one in 10 (11 per cent) brazenly admitted it’s because they know they wouldn’t get caught.

Charlotte Fielding, head of Privilege Car Insurance, said: “Passing your driving test is one of life’s big milestones and I am sure that most drivers haven’t forgotten the hours of time and effort put into achieving this.

“However, it is surprising to see how little time we think it would take us to forget all we have learned. I would advise all drivers to refresh their memory every so often on the rules of the road, to ensure we are all keeping safe.”

Most ignored Highway Code rules

• Using headlights to give way to other drivers
• Speeding
• Eating or drinking while driving
• Coasting
• Undertaking
• Getting distracted using a sat-nav
• Tailgating
• Parking or waiting on yellow zigzag lines
• Using a phone
• Using the horn between 11.30pm and 7am
• Leaving car unattended and with the engine on