The best and worst places to take your driving test have been revealed, with a test centre in Liverpool featuring as one of the places you're least likely to pass. Analysis of DVSA data found the driving centres with the highest and lowest success rates for tests, rates fluctuating greatly.
From hill starts to parallel parking, driving tests allow aspiring motorists to demonstrate their ability at the wheel. A whopping 865,703 exams were carried out between April 2023 and September 2023 across the UK, with an average pass rate of 48.8%.
Within this timeframe, 50% of all aspiring male drivers were awarded a driving licence at the end of the test. As for women learners, 47.3% of wannabe motorists passed their tests, registering the highest female pass rate in at least 15 years. Not only this, it's been revealed that where you take your test plays a big part in your chances of passing, cinch found.
READ MORE: Grandma's stalking campaign led family court judge to fear her 'children would be taken'
READ MORE: Teen 'crafted plan to commit mass murder' from bedroom in mum's home, court told
Locations with the lowest percentage of pass rates
It's fair to say that the capital city of England isn't the easiest place to navigate in the UK. One test centre in Belvedere, located in south-east London, has an average successful pass rate of 36%, with only 31.2% of 218 aspiring drivers getting their licence in April 2023.
To find the location that registered the worst pass rate anytime between April 2023 and September 2023, you'd have to go to Speke in Liverpool. The centre there registered the lowest pass rate in England, with just 229 candidates out of 756 (30.3%) demonstrating they have the skills to sit safely behind the wheel in June 2023.
As for Wolverhampton, the scores are just as unenviable. In September 2023, the average pass rate stood at 30.6%, with only 399 of 1,303 prospective drivers completing their driving tests successfully.
Locations with the highest percentage of successful driving tests
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: "According to DVLA figures, aspiring motorists taking their driving test north of the border tend to have an above-average chance of nailing their exam."
Between April 2023 and September 2023, there were several months where Scottish locations such as Ballater, Benbecula Island, Duns, the Isle of Skye and Mallaig saw every single candidate pass their driving test without fault.
Sheehan added: "Considering that the average pass rate in the UK stands at 48.8%, these areas ? as well as their test centres ? have plenty to be proud of. The Angus town of Arbroath seems to brim with talented driving students. In September 2023, 91% of its 45 budding drivers passed their test…"
Meanwhile, for example, the Cumbrian towns of Barrow-in-Furness and Kendal are England's most fruitful driving-test locations, boasting 77.1% (August 2023) and 73.4% (July 2023) pass rates, respectively. In Wales, aspiring drivers in the historic town of Newtown (Powys) are often in the good books of examiners, with 72% of 175 candidates passing their test in August 2023.
Other UK locations that deserve a special mention include Berwick-on-Tweed (68.9% pass rate in May 2023), Salisbury (68.3% in July 2023), Louth (67.7% in April 2023), Basingstoke (67.3% in June 2023), Whitby (66.7% in August 2023) and Chichester (66.3% in June 2023).
There are many ways to keep up with news in Liverpool and our website is just one. Below you can find details about our premium app with a smooth interface, and no adverts. You will also find links to our breaking whatsapp community, Facebook page, our in-depth Daily Post newsletter.
Try Liverpool Echo Premium for 99p with no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features
Don’t miss the biggest and breaking news by joining our dedicated WhatsApp community. R
The Liverpool Daily Post newsletter delves into the biggest stories on Merseyside