Gender differences in the Swedish driving-license test

Abstract

Introduction Male drivers between 18–24 years are involved in many more motor-vehicle accidents than female drivers in Sweden. Is there also a gender difference in test performance in the Swedish driving-license tests? Is it a real difference or do any of the items display differential item functioning (DIF) with respect to gender or educational background? Method Two random samples of test-takers' performance on the Swedish theory driving-license test were examined with descriptive and inference statistics. Results Female test-takers performed better than male test-takers on the theory test, which is a real difference since no items displayed DIF with respect to gender. There was no gender difference in the practical test. The gender difference in the theory test could not be fully explained by differences in educational background. Conclusions Although everyone who passes the driving-license test has fulfilled the goals stated in the curriculum, it is possible that the gender differences in the theory test are consistent over time, and therefore might be one factor that explains why male drivers are over-represented in traffic accidents. Impact on Industry Gender differences appear persistent over time. Therefore, by improving male test takers' result on the test may lead to positive effects on the male test takers future driving career.