New report reveals UK’s best and worst places to take your driving test
● Newtown in Wales takes the title of best place to pass your driving test, with a 72.5% pass rate
● Test centres in the UK’s largest cities dominate the worst places to pass your test
A new report has revealed the driving test centres in the UK with the highest and lowest pass rates.
The experts at Go.Compare Car Insurance have analysed data from the DVSA to reveal the best and worst places to take your driving test. Looking at the most recent statistics that were released in June 2024, Wolverhampton takes the top spot as the worst place in the UK to take your driving test, with less than 4 in 10 people passing their tests (32.7%).*
| Rating | Test centre | Pass Rate (%) |
| 1 | Wolverhampton | 37.2 |
| 2 | Featherstone | 37.5 |
| 3 | Chingford (London) | 38 |
| 4 | Speke (Liverpool) | 39.1 |
| 5 | Luton | 40 |
| 6 | Wednesbury | 40 |
| 7 | Norris Green (Liverpool) | 40.9 |
| 8 | Crawley | 41 |
| 9 | Leicester (Cannock Street) | 41.1 |
| 10 | Greenford (Horsenden Lane) | 41.1 |
The report highlights that test centres in the largest cities have the lowest pass rates - with those serving London, Liverpool and Birmingham all taking spots in the top 10. Featherstone takes a close second spot behind Wolverhampton (37.5%), before London’s Chingford test centre in third spot (38%).
At the other end of the scale, the experts also took a look at the test centres with the highest pass rates:
| Rating | Test centre | Pass Rate (%) |
| 1 | Newtown | 72.5 |
| 2 | Montrose | 71.4 |
| 3 | Forfar | 70.2 |
| 4 | Arbroath | 70.1 |
| 5 | Kendal (Oxenholme Road) | 69.5 |
| 6 | Barrow In Furness | 69.1 |
| 7 | Dorchester | 67.4 |
| 8 | Galashiels | 66 |
| 9 | Alness | 65.5 |
| 10 | Fraserburgh | 65.5 |
Taking the top spot for the test centre with the highest pass rate is Newtown in Wales with a 72.5% pass rate. The second, third and fourth spots all went to test centres in Scotland, as did three other spots in the top 10 including Galashiels, Alness and Fraserburgh.
Tom Banks, motoring expert at Go.Compare commented on the findings: “Learning to drive and taking your driving test can be a really exciting, but also stressful experience. While there are a number of factors which could affect your test on the day, this report reveals that where you take your test could make a difference too.
“Pass rates across the country can really vary, with just over 7 in 10 passing their tests in Newtown but less than 4 in 10 in Wolverhampton. According to the numbers, the top 10 best places to pass your test seem to be dominated by rural areas, and while relocating just to pass your driving test isn’t a feasible idea, it may be worth considering a few options when it comes to deciding where to take your test. Take a look and compare the pass rates at your local test centres, and chat through your options with your driving instructor.”
Tom added “There’s a lot to think about when you’re learning to drive - it’s an exciting step for anyone but it’s also expensive and can be stressful if you’re trying to buy your first car, thinking about insurance and also preparing for a driving test. Our own “Cost of getting on the road report” has found that the overall cost has been increasing in recent years, making it a significant financial commitment. The report looks at a range of costs, from the price of a first car, through to driving lessons, the cost of the test itself, and also looking at car insurance costs and can be found here: https://www.gocompare.com/car-insurance/guide/the-cost-of-getting-on-the-road/ .”
To read the full driving test report from Go.Compare, visit here: https://www.gocompare.com/motoring/reports-statistics/driving-tests-uk/
Contact Information
Rubie Barker
Notes to editors
Notes to Editors
*According to data taken from Gov.uk. Data excludes test centres where under 400 tests were taken and LGV-only centres. Car driving test data by test centre 2023-2024
For further information please contact:
Lynsey Walden on lynsey.walden@gocompare.com, or Kath Chadwick on Kathryn.chadwick@gocompare.com
Keep up-to-date with GoCompare on Twitter; @GoCompare
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