Easiest and hardest places to pass your driving test

Find out where and where not to take your test

Driving test results show that the chances of learner drivers passing can vary depending on where they live in the UK.

• Our latest research shows the UK has an overall 48.7% pass rate when it comes to learners sitting their practical driving test, but the discrepancy in pass rates across the country is immense, with the top performing region boasting over four times the pass rate of the worst performing.
• For example, from 2024-25 only 3,920 drivers passed in Wolverhampton's 11,719 tests. This was the lowest rate in the country.
• Move to Scotland and a few test centres including Arbroath, Stranraer and Ullapool have pass rates of over 70%. Of course, location alone doesn’t determine how likely you are to pass your driving test.
• However, our research shows that the lowest driving test pass rates in the UK are spread across the country with Gateshead, Featherstone and Wolverhampton all near the bottom of the list for pass rates.
• In contrast, rural areas such as the Isle of Mull, Dorchester, and Melton Mowbray have higher pass rates, as they are less likely to encounter heavy traffic, one-way systems, dual carriageways, and many of the other obstacles found in heavily urbanised cities.

The most common driving test fails

The DVSA recently revealed the top reasons that UK learner drivers fail their driving test. These were found to be:

• Not making effective observations at junctions
• Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
• Not having proper control of the steering
• Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions
• Not moving off safely
• Not responding appropriately to traffic lights
• Poor positioning on the road during normal driving
• Not responding correctly to traffic signs
• Not having control of the vehicle when moving off
• Not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking

Peter Brabin, Head of Training at Bill Plant Driving School, commented: “What’s somewhat surprising is that a lot of the most common test failures are some of the very first things you’re taught when you get behind the wheel. That clearly just goes to show that maintaining a regular pattern of lessons is important to keep up the fundamentals. Nerves also play a part in the test experience which cause silly mistakes that you wouldn’t expect.

“While we obviously want as many learner drivers passing their driving test and enjoying the freedom on the road that many of us are fortunate enough to enjoy, this just goes to show why it’s imperative learner drivers are properly scrutinised on their test. None of us want unsteady, uncertain and unsafe drivers on the road, causing more accidents and issues and more rebooked driving tests.”

The gender gap

When breaking the data down according to gender, men stand a better chance of passing.

The national average pass rate for men is 49.5%. For women, the national average pass rate is 47.6%, almost two percentage points below their male counterparts and 1.2 percentage points below the combined overall national average.

Remote testing centres perform the best

With 7 passes out of 8 tests, the Isles of Scilly has the best pass rate It’s a similar story for other minor test centres. Scotland’s Isle of Tiree and Inveraray also both have pass rates over 80%.

Why do different test centres/areas have different pass rates?

It's worth noting that these areas have less than five miles of A-roads. Therefore, for an accurate overview of the easiest and hardest places to pass your driving test, it’s important to look at major centres.

Driving test pass rates by age

Learner drivers in the UK can take their practical driving test from age 17 onwards.

• Data from the research showed that the youngest learners hold the highest average pass rate, with 17-year-olds boasting a 61% average pass rate in the UK.
• Those with more life experience were found not to perform as well, with 63% of people aged between 50 and 59 failing.
• Those aged 60 years struggled the most, with 64% of tests taken resulting in failure.

Should you choose a test centre based on pass rates?

Although there are still delays of up to six months when it comes to booking a driving test, you should stop and think before confirming the first one that is available.

Before choosing a test centre, you can factor in the pass rates while also looking at how busy the surrounding roads are, how familiar you are with the test routes and you can also speak to family, friends and your instructor for advice.

Cheating is on the rise

Even before taking their practical test, some desperate or dishonest would-be drivers could be tempted to cheat their way through passing their theory test.

In fact, the data revealed that cheating has skyrocketed over the years.

Our data revealed there has been over 5,000 instances of theory test cheating between 2021 and 2024.

According to a BBC report, cheating methods can vary - from using technology like Bluetooth earpieces to hiring impersonators for up to £2,000 a time.

It goes without saying that it is illegal to cheat on your practical or theory test. Anyone caught using someone else to assist them in taking their test, or using an impersonator (as well as the impersonators themselves) can be:

• Sent to prison
• Banned from driving
• Ordered to carry out unpaid work
• Made to pay court costs

In addition to being a criminal offence, cheating on a driving test also endangers the safety of other motorists, their passengers, and pedestrians as it enables unqualified drivers to be on the road.

If you were found to have obtained your licence by cheating, your car insurance policy could be invalidated as a result of you providing false or fraudulent information.

This will increase your risk profile, which could have the knock-on effect of future policy costs increasing or, in the worst-case scenario, make you completely uninsurable.

Are you insured as a learner driver?

Learner drivers are required by law to be insured to drive, but they often do not require long-term cover and it may be costly to add them to a friend or family member’s policy.

This is where learner insurance comes in handy as it’s flexible to suit your needs, with policies lasting anywhere from just 12 hours to 28 days. It can help save on driving lesson costs as you take the car out with a friend or family member.

Our learner insurance provides fully comprehensive cover on every policy, providing you with complete peace of mind while you hone your driving skills.

Research methodology

This research data was sourced by conducting a freedom of information (FOI) request from the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), based on a survey of major UK centres where 1,000 people or more took their driving tests between 2024 and 2025.

Citations & references

• BBC News: Record number caught cheating on driving tests
• Gov.uk: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
• Gov.uk: Reporting Driving Test Impersonation