Britain's driving test pass rate has reached a five-year high, according to new figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). In May, 51.4% of tests were successful, up from 50.9% in April and the best performance since May 2021 when the rate stood at 51.9%.
The DVSA reported that 173,200 tests were conducted in May, a significant increase from 147,698 during the same month last year. Meanwhile, the number of future tests booked hit an all-time high of 674,165 at the end of May, indicating strong demand.
This week, the Government introduced a strict ban on third-party driving test bookings, making it illegal for anyone other than the learner driver to book or manage a test. The measure targets unofficial booking services, cancellation-finder apps, and automated bots that have been reselling limited test slots at inflated prices. Driving instructors and schools are also prohibited from booking tests on behalf of students.
Officials have urged learners to only book a test when they are confident of passing, as part of efforts to reduce the backlog. Freedom of information data from the AA Driving School showed the average waiting time for a test rose from 20.8 weeks in January to 22.4 weeks by April 6, compared to just five weeks before the pandemic in February 2020.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, commented: "Knowing there’s a queue ahead for a practical test is frustrating for learners, but a pass rate hovering around 50% suggests many would still benefit from more practice and real world experience before taking a test which is the gateway to the freedom and responsibility of unaccompanied driving."
