When it comes to driving, there are many things to consider, from taking driving lessons to applying for car finance to help with the cost of purchasing your vehicle. Despite the many factors involved, the excitement of driving a car makes us keen to get behind the wheel.
Recent figures estimate that over 1.6 million Brits took a practical driving test in the last financial year alone. But how many of these tests resulted in a pass? Using government data, MoneyBarn reveals where drivers achieved the highest pass rate in the UK and how pass rates have changed over the past decade.
Additionally, MoneyBarn will analyze the age groups with the highest pass rate, the average wait times to take a driving test across the country, the most common driving faults, and provide expert tips on how to prepare for the test.
How has the UK practical pass rate changed in the last decade?
The number of conducted driving tests peaked in the 2016/17 financial year when more than 1.73 million drivers were tested on the roads. However, the highest annual passes occurred in the 2022/23 year, where 816,775 successful practical tests were recorded.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown measures, fewer people took a driving test in 2020/21. Those who did take a test saw a practical pass rate of almost 50% – an 8.50% increase from the previous year and higher than any other pass rate in the last decade. Since 2020, the pass rate has consistently remained higher than pre-COVID but has seen a slow decline year-on-year, decreasing by -1.02% between 2021/22 and 2022/23.
How has the UK theory pass rate changed in the last decade?
The pass rate for theory tests has dropped from nearly 60% a decade ago to 44.20% in the 2022/23 financial year, indicating a significant decrease. The number of conducted theory tests has nearly doubled in the last decade – from just over 1.2 million in 2012/13 to more than 2.4 million in the 2022/23 financial year. However, this has also resulted in an 11.78% decrease in pass rates between 2021/22 and 2022/23.
Javascript and other details have been omitted. Last updated January 2024.