Revealed: The Welsh DVSA Centres That Are ‘Easiest’ and ‘Hardest’ To Pass At

Learner drivers in Wales have the best chance of passing their test in Newtown 

The ‘hardest’ test centre in Wales is Llanelli, where just half of learners earn their pink licence 

·       The data suggests that overall, it could be easier to pass your test in Wales (with a 59% pass average) than in England (51%). 

·       One in ten learners (9%) won’t book their driving test until the extended wait times caused by the pandemic have eased. 

·       Further information can be found here – https://www.collingwood.co.uk/blog/best-place-to-take-your-driving-test/ 

It turns out that location is key when it comes to booking your driving test, with the average pass rate varying massively depending on where you take it. 

The research by Collingwood Insurance Services looked at driving test centre pass rates using the latest DVSA data, revealing that it could be easier to get your licence in Wales (where the average pass rate is 59%) versus in England (where it is 51%).  

The test centre in Wales with the highest pass rate is located in Newtown, Powys where more than seven in ten test-takers earned their licence in the second half of 2021 (73.3%).  

Mallaig on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, had the highest pass in the whole of the UK (92.9%), while the East Yorkshire market town of Beverley had the highest pass rate in England (75%).  

In Wales it was Llanelli in Carmarthenshire where the fewest number of learners passed their test last year (49%), while in Scotland the ‘hardest’ test centre was Anniesland in Glasgow, which had a pass rate of 42%. In England, the lowest pass rate was found at Erith test centre in the South-East of London (27.5%). 

DVSA Test Centres with the Lowest Pass Rates in Wales (based on data from the second half of 2021) 

Test Centre Name	Region/Area	Male Tests – Pass rate (%)	Female Tests – Pass rate (%)	Conducted	Pass rate (%)
Llanelli	Carmarthenshire	50.7	47.4	1685	49.0
Swansea	Glamorgan	50.5	50.8	2964	50.6
Cardigan	Dyfed	52.1	51.4	762	51.8
Newport (Gwent)	Monmouthshire	55.7	51.3	2152	53.5
Rhyl	Denbighshire	57.3	50.3	1620	53.8

DVSA Test Centres with the Highest Pass Rates in Wales 

Test Centre Name	Region/Area	Male Tests – Pass rate (%)	Female Tests – Pass rate (%)	Conducted	Pass rate (%)
Newtown	Powys	71.3	75.1	401	73.3
Llantrisant	Glamorgan	66.8	66.5	1370	66.6
Barry	Glamorgan	68.4	62.1	755	65.0
Pembroke Dock	Pembrokeshire	63.9	60.7	1278	62.3
Pwllheli	Gwynedd	70.4	54.5	268	61.9

The study also reveals if men or women are more likely to pass their test, and the results are very close indeed with men (53%) marginally more likely to pass their test than women (48%) in recent months. 

Learners are advised² that they can take their lessons anywhere and book their test at any of the approved UK centres, so long as you are aged at least 17 and have your provisional licence. However, some experts³ have warned that knowing and practicing on test routes can improve your chance of passing, so booking your test somewhere with a higher pass rate may only be beneficial if you take a bit of time to get to know the area first. 

Collingwood also surveyed 350 learner-drivers on their driving test plans, with half of those polled (49%) planning to take their test in 2022. However, one in ten (9%) said that they would only take their test in 2022 if extensive waiting times (caused by the pandemic). 

Overall, there were 692,684 driving tests conducted in 2021 – up 59% versus 2020 (436,044), but down 131% versus 2019 (1,599,566). 

The UK pass rate has consistently improved since 2007 – steadily increasing year-on-year from 44%. 

Liz Laidler, Head of Learner Driver Products at Collingwood Insurance Services UK Ltd, said: 

“Booking in a driving test is a daunting time for anyone with ambitions to get behind the wheel, and this data is an interesting snapshot of the differences between urban and rural driving! 

“Nevertheless, accidents can happen at any time and any place on the roads, and while drivers can minimise their chances of an accident by driving carefully and considerately, having a suitable insurance product is essential to ensure that you are protected against anything that happens on the road. 

“Good luck to anyone looking to pass their test in the near future and remember that practice makes perfect!” 

For more information, please visit: https://www.collingwood.co.uk/blog/best-place-to-take-your-driving-test/