Final answer:
The provided reference does not contain any information about David or the number of times he may have failed his learner's permit test.
Step-by-step explanation:
The information provided in the reference does not specify how many times David failed his learner's permit test. The reference primarily discusses an experiment with participants dealing with traffic citations and the frustration of a character named Peter with a slow driver. There is no mention of a character named David, nor is there any detail about a learner's permit test.
For any queries related to driving tests, traffic rules, or similar educational topics within the realm of driving education, it's important to have access to the correct materials or study guide, which can help one prepare effectively for their driving examinations.