‘L’ of a lot harder to pass driving test in Stirling - survey

Taking your driving test in Stirling is not an easy option, according to a survey out last week.

It was rated the second hardest place in the country for learners to ditch their‘L’ plates.

Just 42 per cent of learner drivers in Stirling pass the test. Only Shieldhall in Glasgow , with 40 per cent, was worse. Anniesland in Glasgow also recorded a 42 per cent pass rate. The highest pass rate in Scotland is Golspie in Sutherland, where 80 per cent of students pass.

The Stirling Driving Test Centre is based in St Ninians Road.

Alex Adams, driving instructor for the Stirling Driving Company, 10 John Cowane Row, Stirling , was not surprised by the outcome of the study.

“The council aren’t doing enough,”he said. “The roads are badly marked, especially at the crossroads up near Drip Road. It makes my drivers even more nervous than they already are.”He also thinks that cyclists should have to pay insurance.

“It only takes a second for a cyclist to smash into a brand new car because they aren’t using the cycle paths.”

Changes are due to be made to the driving test from December this year.

Reversing around a corner and the three point turn will be removed from the test. The new test will include increased independent driving up to 20 minutes as well as following directions from a sat nav.

Learners will also be quizzed on vehicle safety whilst driving, and new to the test will be pulling up on the right-hand side of the road and reversing two car lengths and reversing out of a parking bay.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said:“We hope that the new test will help new drivers in Scotland to adapt to the modern conditions of our roads, especially through the independent driving task and using a sat nav. But it’s worrying that more than a third of drivers believe these new changes are still not going far enough.

“To make the roads safer, drivers believe more practical changes should have been included in the new updates set to be implemented in December. To help improve the quality of driving on our roads, there is a valid argument that new drivers should be taught general road etiquette and how to treat fellow drivers. This could help to minimise stress levels, road rage, and the risk of accidents, providing all drivers an easy ride.”

The survey has also shown 73 per cent of drivers believe that motorway driving should be added to the test and 66 per cent reckon night driving should be included.