JAMES MAY FAILS MODERN DRIVING TEST AFTER 46 YEARS

James May failed a contemporary driving test despite holding a valid driving licence for nearly five decades. The television presenter undertook the examination to compare modern testing standards with the test he passed in 1980. May recorded the process for his YouTube channel, James May's Planet Gin, with footage showing him driving around Salisbury and Wilton. He exceeded speed limits on two separate occasions during the test, driving at 46mph in a 40mph zone and 33mph in a 30mph zone.

May acknowledged his speeding infractions during the test, remarking that he had accelerated to join traffic flow. He stated he had not revised for the examination or studied modern test requirements beforehand, choosing instead to attempt it without preparation. The television personality noted significant changes to driving tests since 1980, observing that modern assessments differ substantially from those of his era. Throughout the examination, he engaged in casual conversation with his examiner about his time presenting Top Gear and his preference against voice-activated navigation systems.

May recognised that modern distractions form an integral part of contemporary driving assessments, comparing them to radio interference or distraction from mobile phones. His extensive experience as a professional driver and television presenter did not prevent him from failing to meet current testing standards. The results demonstrate that established driving experience alone does not guarantee success in modern formal driving examinations.