West Midlands announced as toughest area to pass practical driving test
Findings also saw Cumbria and Northumberland return the highest national pass rates
Passing a practical driving test in the West Midlands is harder than in any other part of the country, according to new analysis.
The average pass rate for the West Midlands was found to be 40 per cent – well under the national average of 48 per cent from the 1.3 million tests taken last year.
The results were found through analysis of driving test results from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
Shamus Hodgson, MD of Moneybarn, the company behind the report, said: “Our analysis has revealed some interesting and surprising results, with low pass rates for areas like Bedfordshire and the West Midlands not necessarily being what you’d typically expect.
“Whilst the average national pass rate has increased by four per cent, built-up areas are still showing themselves to be particularly difficult for learners, whether it’s because of extra traffic, complex road signage, or added pressure in a busier environment. It will be intriguing to see if this remains the case, once amendments are made to the practical test later this year.”
Within England, Cumbria and Northumberland have two of the highest national pass rates at just under 60 per cent. In contrast, the test centre in Belvedere, Kent, had the lowest pass rate in the UK at just 28 per cent.
