James May Fails Modern Driving Test After 46 Years, June 17

By Huzaifa Zahoor

June 17, 2026

07:11 PM

3 min read

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Key Points

James May, 63, failed modern UK driving test after 46 years.

Caught speeding twice during test near Salisbury and Wilton.

Last passed test in 1980, says standards have changed significantly.

May took failure calmly and acknowledged modern road safety rules differ from past.

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James May, the former Top Gear host, failed a modern driving test on June 17 despite holding a valid UK license for 46 years. The 63-year-old took the test to compare it with the one he passed in 1980 and documented the experience on his YouTube channel. His failure raises questions about how driving standards and road rules have evolved since the 1980s.

Why May Failed the Test

May was recorded speeding twice during the test around Salisbury and Wilton. He drove at 46mph in a 40mph zone and 33mph in a 30mph zone. The examiner cited these as serious faults, concluding: “That is a fail astonishingly.” May admitted he had not prepared for the test, saying “I haven’t revised for it” before taking it.

How Modern Tests Differ From 1980

May noted that the test has changed significantly since he last took it 46 years ago. He said: “Things have moved on a lot since then; the test is apparently very different.” The modern test focuses on strict adherence to speed limits and awareness of road conditions. May acknowledged his speeding immediately during the test, saying he was trying to join traffic flow without being a hazard.

May’s Response to the Failure

The TV presenter took the news of his failure calmly and told viewers: “Do as I say, not as I do.” He did not appear nervous during the test and casually chatted with his examiner about his time on Top Gear and his dislike of vocal sat-nav instructions. May acknowledged that distractions like mobile phones and radios are part of modern driving challenges.

Final Thoughts

May’s failure demonstrates that experience alone does not guarantee passing modern UK driving tests. Road safety standards have tightened significantly since 1980, and even seasoned drivers must adapt to current rules.

FAQs

Why did James May fail his driving test?

May was caught speeding twice: 46mph in a 40mph zone and 33mph in a 30mph zone. The examiner cited these as serious faults.

When did May last take a driving test?

May passed his driving test in 1980, 46 years before retaking it on June 17, 2026.

How did May respond to failing?

May took the failure calmly, telling viewers: “Do as I say, not as I do.” He acknowledged differences between modern and 1980s driving standards.

Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.

About Author

Huzaifa Zahoor

Co Founder

Huzaifa Zahoor is the engineer who built Meyka. He has spent years writing Python, training AI models, and building data pipelines specifically for financial markets. His technical articles have reached over 30,000 readers on Medium, so he knows how to make complex things easy to follow. If this article touches on how the tools work, he is the person who actually built them.