Driving test pass rates up in Q3 2011

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

The increase in the number of tests conducted during the quarter in comparison with the previous year (Q3 2010/11) 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.

Overall, the practical car test pass rate has increased slightly from 44 per cent in 2007/08 to 46 per cent in 2010/11.  The pass rate for the first three quarters of 2011/12 is 47 per cent.

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.