Driving tests plummet over lockdown
Enormous frustration’ among learners trying to pass
THE number of people passing driving tests in Great Britain dropped dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. Just 3,448 people earnt their license to drive cars in the first quarter of 2020/21 compared to 182,572 during the same period in 2019/20. The new data from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA) also shows the huge drop in motorcycle licences given out.
Just 50 Module One tests (offroad) were passed in Q1 of 2020/21, compared to 11,582 the year before.
And so few people passed Module Two tests (on-road), that the government suppressed the figures to preserve the test-takers’ anonymity.
The RAC says that this is “undoubtedly” causing “enormous frustration” for learner drivers, especially since the ability to drive is crucial in enabling some people to work.
Driving theory tests also suffered a large drop in numbers during this period.
From April to June 2020 there were 6,369 driving theory test attempts resulting in 3,890 passes.
But during the same three months in 2019, there were 497,258 tests resulting in 234,844 passes.
From April 2019 to March 2020, the highest number of practical driving tests were taken by men and women at the age of 17.
Between those dates, 308,725 tests were conducted for that age group, resulting in 172,199 passes.
Test numbers then steadily declined as the age of the candidate increased.
The youngest test-takers, 17-yearolds, were also the most likely to pass, with a success rate of 55.8 per cent compared to less than 50 per cent for all other age groups.
Men were slightly more likely than women to both take and pass driving tests during this period.
Among all ages, the total number of men passing driving tests was 378,034, or 49.6 per cent of tests taken by men.
For women, that number was 356,542, which is 42.6 per cent of all tests taken.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “The scale of the pandemic’s impact on novice drivers is clear to see.
“Even with looser restrictions over the summer, the number of practical driving tests was only half what it was in the same period last year.
“Given how important the ability to drive is in enabling people to work, there will undoubtedly be enormous frustration among learners about having to delay the start of their driving careers.
“For that reason, it’s incredibly important that testing capacity is increased as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
A spokesperson for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said: “Demand for driving tests is high as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and national restrictions.
“We are working hard to ensure as many candidates as possible can safely take their driving test; our examiners are carrying out more tests per day where it is safe to do so, we are offering more tests at weekends and we’re ensuring staff who are qualified are conducting driving tests, such as desk-based staff and managers.”