Question 1

What is the UK driving test pass rate?

Accepted Answer

The overall UK driving test first-time pass rate is approximately 47% — meaning fewer than half of all learners pass on their first attempt. This figure has remained broadly stable for several years, though it varies significantly by test centre, ranging from under 35% in busy urban areas to over 70% in quiet rural centres.

Question 2

Which test centre has the highest pass rate?

Accepted Answer

Remote Scottish test centres like Lerwick and Mallaig consistently record the highest pass rates in the UK — sometimes exceeding 75%. This is largely because these centres have very light traffic, few complex junctions, and minimal test-day pressure. However, waiting times and travel distances may make them impractical for most learners.

Question 3

Which test centres have the lowest pass rates?

Accepted Answer

London test centres consistently record the lowest pass rates in the UK, particularly Erith, Belvedere and Barking where rates can fall below 35%. This reflects the complexity of London driving conditions — dense traffic, complex junctions, bus lanes, and pedestrian crossings — rather than examiner strictness, which is standardised nationally.

Question 4

Do all examiners mark to the same standard?

Accepted Answer

Yes — DVSA examiners are trained to a national standard and are regularly checked against other examiners to ensure consistency. An examiner in London and one in Inverness should mark the same driving faults the same way. The pass rate difference between centres reflects road conditions, not examiner bias.

Question 5

Can I take my test at a different centre to improve my chances?

Accepted Answer

Yes — you can book a test at any DVSA centre regardless of where you live or learned. However, your instructor must be familiar with the test routes there, and you should have practised on similar roads. Taking a test at a rural centre you've never driven before is unlikely to improve your chances. TestSwap lets you add multiple preferred centres to your swap request.

Question 6

Does test day time affect pass rates?

Accepted Answer

Yes — morning slots tend to have slightly higher pass rates than afternoon ones, likely because roads are quieter and learners are fresher. Midweek mornings (Tuesday to Thursday) are generally considered the lowest-pressure conditions for a driving test. You can use TestSwap to target a specific time slot when requesting a swap.

Test centre	Region	Pass rate
Lerwick Highest in UK	Scotland	79%
Mallaig Very rural, low traffic	Scotland	75%
Llandrindod Wells Quiet roads	Wales	72%
Berwick-upon-Tweed Low congestion	North East	70%
Carlisle Above average	North West	65%
York Mid-range	Yorkshire	58%
Bristol National average	South West	50%
Birmingham (Kingstanding) Below average	West Midlands	42%
Barking High traffic	London	38%
Belvedere Very high traffic	London	36%
Erith Lowest in London	London	34%

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Driving Test Pass Rates by Test Centre

Pass rates — highest to lowest (2025 estimates)

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