What is the UK driving test pass rate?

The UK average pass rate for the Category B (car) practical driving test is around 48%, though it varies significantly between test centres, from roughly 35% at the hardest urban centres to over 65% at the easiest rural ones.

Which UK driving test centre has the highest pass rate?

Small rural test centres (particularly in Scotland and the Scottish Islands) consistently show the highest pass rates, often above 65%. Lerwick in Shetland leads the UK at around 68.5%.

Where does the data come from?

All statistics come from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) quarterly statistical release on GOV.UK. The dataset is released under the Open Government Licence and is updated automatically each quarter.

Does PassRates.uk show motorcycle and HGV pass rates?

Yes. The data covers the Category B (car) practical test, motorcycle Module 1 and Module 2 tests, and heavy-vehicle (LGV/HGV) tests for every UK test centre.

Guide · Updated 27 April 2026

1 min read

How to Book a UK Driving Test. The Official Process Explained

Booking a UK driving test should cost £62 (weekday) or £75 (weekend/evening), and that’s all. Third-party "test-finder" sites that promise faster bookings charge premiums for slots you can find yourself.

#Before you book

You need three things: a valid UK provisional driving licence, a passed theory test certificate (issued in the last two years), and an instructor’s confirmation that you’re ready.

#The official booking site

Always book via gov.uk/book-driving-test. This is the only official channel. The fee is £62 for a standard weekday slot or £75 for evenings/weekends/bank holidays. No third party can offer a different price.

#Choosing a test centre

You can choose any DVSA test centre in the UK. Use our city pages and rankings to compare options before you book, the centre you pick affects your odds of passing meaningfully.

#Earlier slots and cancellations

Wait times average 14–20 weeks across the UK, but cancellations open up daily. The official site lets you check earlier slots, it’s free, just more tedious than the third-party tools. Set a reminder to check at the same time each day.

#On the day

Bring your provisional licence (mandatory) and arrive 10–15 minutes early. The test takes about 40 minutes. Failure costs you the full fee plus the wait time for a retake, book again immediately if you fail.

PassRates.uk Editorial

Independent UK driving test analytics, reviewed against the latest DVSA quarterly statistical release.

Published 26 April 2026Updated 27 April 2026Source DVSA · OGL v3.0

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Guide · 2 min read

How to Read UK Driving Test Pass Rate Statistics

A primer on reading DVSA pass-rate data critically: sample sizes, multi-year trends, gender splits, first-time vs overall, and why context matters.

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Guide · 2 min read

Easiest vs Hardest UK Driving Test Centres. What the Data Shows

Why some UK driving test centres have pass rates twice as high as others. Analysis of geographic, route, and demographic factors that drive the gap.

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