More than 40 per cent of Canberrans fail their practical drivers test

Of the 11,266 people who sat their practical test since July 2011, 5043 failed. Authorities cited a lack of preparation, poor technical skills, and a lack of awareness or observations skills.

Figures issued by the Justice and Community Safety Directorate show 43 per cent of Canberrans failed their test during the last financial year, with 46 and 44 per cent failing during the preceding years.

These figures do not include those who sought to obtain a licence through the ACT's competency based assessment scheme, in which an approved instructor supervises a driver through 22 critical skills sets before granting them a licence.

A Justice and Community Safety Directorate spokeswoman said many Canberrans failed their practical driving test on their first attempt because they had little, if any, professional instruction.

"While they may be able to drive to a reasonable level, they may lack refined skills such as observation, anticipation, and head checks," she said.

"This results in a higher failure rate and when applicants obtain this feedback from an ACT Government Licence Examiner they put this into practice and will often pass the assessment on their second attempt."

ACT NRMA director Alan Evans said the failure rate was not a surprise and it affirmed his belief the competency based assessment scheme should be the only way to obtain a driver's licence.

"I don't think that's necessarily a high number and it reflects the need to make sure people who haven't been through a thorough training process are not allowed on ACT roads," he said.

Mr Evans said he would strongly support any ACT Government initiative to make competency based training with supervision compulsory and expected NSW authorities would soon adopt a similar initiative.

"It's just comes down to politicians having enough courage to say if you want to get on the road you've got have the right skills, experience and attitude," he said.

Mr Evans said many families and learners chose the practical test in the ACT for financial and time reasons.

"It's a cost issue," he said.

"It takes a lot of time for mum and dad to teach a child in a car and in a lot of cases parents pass on their own mistakes and errors to their children."

Mr Evans said stringent testing requirements have had a direct influence on the declining road fatality toll in the ACT and Australia during the past five years.

The ACT's fatality rate is just 2.08 per 100,000 people, with eight deaths recorded on Canberra's roads in the 12 months to July, two fewer than the previous 12 months.

Figures released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, show the ACT has recorded a 38 per cent reduction in deaths over the past five years- the largest decline of all states and territories.

The report found 1157 people died on Australian roads in the 12 months to June- the lowest annual result since 1945.

The figures also indicate a 9 per cent reduction in fatalities on the previous year, pushing the toll rate to below 5 deaths per 100,000 people for the first time.