Driving test pass rate rises

The driving test pass rate for the first three quarters of 2011/2012 has risen to 47%, a 3% increase on the 2006/2007 average.

The figures, presented in the DfT publication ‘Driver and Rider Test and Instructor Statistics, Great Britain: Quarter 3 2011/12’, also represent a 1% increase when compared to the 2010/11 average.

A total of 437,038 tests were conducted across all test categories between October and December 2011 (Q3 2011/12). This represents an overall increase of 14% in comparison with the same period the year before.

The increase in the number of tests conducted is due to the milder winter weather in late 2011. The heavy snowfall throughout most of Great Britain in December 2010 led to a reduction in the number of tests conducted and lowered candidate demand for tests.

The number of car tests taken by females is higher than for males largely due to females having a lower pass rate than males, hence taking higher number of tests before passing.

Click here to read the full report.