The 10 best places in the UK to pass your driving test first time revealed… do YOU live near one?

The Sun

20-06-2025

THE best places to take your driving test have been revealed in a new analysis of DVSA data - and it's good news for drivers in Scotland.
There are "remarkable" differences in first-time pass rates across the UK, according to the figures.
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It comes after The Sun previously revealed the hardest test centres to pass at.
From three-point turns to checking blind spots, there is plenty for novice drivers to think about during their test.
And with a long wait for a slot, knowing you have a good chance of success is crucial.
The best location to take your driving test is Montrose, in Scotland, where a staggering 69.6% of drivers pass on the first attempt.
The second-best test centre is Forfar, just down the road from Montrose.
Although 69.5% of learners pass in Forfar, men have much more luck than women.
While 75.5% of men pass, only 64.2% of women will receive their licence after their first attempt.
Although the two best centres in the UK are in Scotland, English drivers shouldn't worry.
There is only a tiny difference in the success rate between the best centre in England and Scotland.
The beautiful lake district town of Kendal, in Cumbria, has a first-time pass rate of 69.1%.
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And here women are more likely to get the stamp of approval from their examiner - 71.4% pass first time compared to 66.8% of men.
The best centre in Wales rounds out the top five with a 66.9% first time pass rate.
Nervous test-takers face a much bigger challenge in other parts of the country.
Test centres in cities in the Midlands and North West are the trickiest for first timers, according to the data provided by Traffic Chart.
In Wolverhampton, over two-thirds of people will leave disappointed after the first attempt.
This makes it the worst place in the country to take your driving test.
And down the road in Featherstone, only 31.9% of first-time test takers pass.
Martijn Hulshof, founder of Traffic Chart, said: "These figures show remarkable regional variations in driving test success rates.
"Scottish test centres perform exceptionally well, possibly due to less congested roads and different driving conditions compared to major urban areas."
When it comes to picking a place to take your test, Hulshof said: "Rural locations typically offer better odds of first-time success, but practical factors like travel distance should be weighed against the potential benefits.'
He also explained that men generally outperformed women across the country when it comes to first-time pass rates.
Hulshof said: "It suggests that factors such as anxiety and pressure may affect male and female drivers differently in testing environments."
How to boost your chances of passing first time
Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training, the largest driving school in the UK, that trains nearly a quarter of all driving instructors in the country, has shared his top five tips to help boost your chances of passing for the first time:
Master your manoeuvres
Ensure you're confident with key manoeuvres like parallel parking, a forward bay park or a reverse bay park. These can make or break your test, so practice them until you're confident in doing these under pressure. Let your instructor know ahead of your test if there's anything you're concerned about and they can help you practice until needed.
Plan your lessons with your instructor wisely
Take lessons at different times of day, including busy periods. This helps you get comfortable with all driving conditions and traffic situations, giving you a true feel for real-world driving. Particularly if the only time you can secure a test is during a busy period – you'll be thanking yourself later.
Your instructor will also help make sure you're test ready and point out anything that needs to be worked on. They're there to help your chances of passing for the first time!
Focus on observation and awareness
The driving test is as much about your ability to spot hazards as it is about your car control. Stay alert, check mirrors regularly, and always anticipate what's happening on the road. Your examiner will be looking out for this, so keep this in the back of your mind while taking the test.
Know your theory
Putting your theory knowledge into practice is more important during your test than ever. There are also resources students can use to ensure that they are fully prepared – at RED, we have apps to help our students prepare for their tests such as the Learn to Drive with RED app and RED's Complete Driving Theory app.
Stay calm under pressure
Don't let nerves get the best of you. Stay calm, take deep breaths, and if you make a mistake, don't let it get to you. Keep your focus on the next task and show the examiner you can recover quickly.
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