Town’s test centre is a difficult place to pass

557 drivers passed their test at the Hinckley centre in 12 months

WITH driving tests and lessons being put on pause due to Covid-19, many learner drivers will be eager to get on the road as soon as possible after tests resume today.

A new report by GoCompare reveals the best places to take a test to improve chances of a first-time pass.

And Hinckley is one of the toughest places in the Midlands to pass your test. Of 1,408 who took their test here, just 557 passed – a success rate of just 39.6% – from June 2018 to June 2019.

The only place with a worse record is Cannock Street, in Leicester,where the pass rate is just 33%.

During the pandemic, thousands of driving tests across the UK were cancelled and were only allowed to resume today, July 22.

Because of this, GoCompare has conducted a new report using DVSA data, analysing the first-time pass rates from over 324 driving centres across the country to find out where in the UK is the easiest (and most difficult) area to take your test.

The UK Driving Test Report reveals that on average it costs £647 to pass your test, including on average 22 lessons and a theory test, too – and that’s just if you pass first-time.

While some learner drivers can take off the L-plates after their first attempt, some need more than five chances before passing. And this can quickly add up. So where is the best place to take your test near you to get a higher chance of passing the first time around?

In the East Midlands, the best place to take your test is in Wellingborough as the centre has a high pass rate of 61.2%. Ashfield and Melton Mowbray also have high pass rates of 57-58% in comparison with other centres across the region.

However, it’s best to avoid Leicester if you’re looking for a quick pass as both centres in the city have pass rates among the lowest in the region.

The centre in Cannock Street is the hardest, with a pass rate of 33%, which also puts it among the toughest 10 centres in the UK.

There is set to be a large backlog of learner drivers, so planning ahead and changing which driving centre you plan to take your test could help you secure a quicker pass, which is something for those booking their practical over the next few weeks to bear in mind.

Other areas in the UK to avoid include big cities such as Birmingham, London and Manchester, which also have test centres with lower pass rates. The Pavilion in Birmingham is the hardest in the

UK with just a 29.3% pass rate. South Yardley, a busier centre also in Birmingham was placed second, as 1,850 learners failed their test.

These metropolitan areas are full of hazards that can put off even a well-seasoned driver during rush hour, so they are best to avoid for learners looking for a quick win.

The data shows that Llandrindod Wells in Powys, Wales, is the test centre with the highest first-time pass rate of 76.3%, which means more than three out of four people who took their test in the town received their licence straight away. Crieff in Perthshire, Scotland, is a close second as 74.5% passed first time.

For those in Yorkshire, the report reveals that Malton is the best place to take your test with a 66% first-time pass rate overall.

The places with the best chance of passing are in Scotland, Wales, Northumberland and Yorkshire, so those looking to pass quickly should head to the country. Smaller towns have fewer roundabouts, congestion and less builtup areas, so there is a reduced risk of complicated junctions, which means you’re more likely to have a smoother driving test.

Finding the more rural test centre in your area is likely to help – the difference in pass rate is more than double that of the UK’s busiest cities.

Pass rates, in general, are increasing. In December 2017, a number of changes were introduced to driving tests which corresponded with a 14% decrease in first-time pass rates from June 2017 to 2018. Within a year of these new measures being introduced, there was a 116% increase in first-time passes.

The report also looks at where in the UK are the busiest and least busy test centres.

Matt Oliver, driving expert from GoCompare said: “Preparation is always the key when it comes to tackling any challenge. But there’s no harm in looking at extra ways to boost your chances, and choosing a quieter route can keep your nerves at a minimum.

“The most common reason for failure in driving tests is responding incorrectly at lights. At busy junctions, it’s easy to lose your concentration when surrounded by different distractions - choosing a quieter location is a good way to limit this risk.

“To make sure you’re prepared, try to practise in a variety of conditions. Once you’ve chosen your test centre, drive the routes as often as possible, so you can get used to the trickier roads.”

The most common reason for failure in driving tests is responding incorrectly at lights