Less than half of people taking their driving test in Crewe passed within the last 12 months, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

New research by Confused.com reveals a striking postcode lottery when it comes to passing a practical driving test in the UK.

Between 2021 and 2024, pass rates varied dramatically across Britain, from 33 per cent in Speke, Liverpool to over 80 per cent percent in Mallaig, Scotland.

This suggests that where learners take their test could be the deciding factor in whether they manage to get on the road. 

In Crewe, between April 2024 and March 2025, the average pass rate was just 43.7 per cent, more than five per cent below the UK average.

Crewe's DVSA Driving Test Centre, Nile Street (Liam Jones).

These figures were obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland.

Between 2021 and 2024, more than 6.2 million driving tests were taken in the UK, but just 3.05 million passed, giving an average pass rate of 49 per cent over the last four years. 

In 2024 alone, almost 976,000 learners took their test, but fewer than 477,000 passed.

As a result, more learner drivers are having to pay to retake the test, adding further financial and emotional stress when learning to drive.

Behind the UK-wide figures lies a stark regional divide, with pass rates swinging dramatically from one area to another.

Many of the test centres with the lowest average pass rate are found in the North West and Midlands.

Driving test figures were obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland (Nub News).

Confused.com car insurance expert, Rhydian Jones, told Nub News: "Passing your driving test is a huge milestone but our latest research shows just how challenging and inconsistent the system can be.

"This is especially true when learners are waiting months for a test date, only to find their chances of passing depend heavily on where they take it.

"Shockingly, only around half of the six million tests taken since 2021 have passed.

"And with some centres showing pass rates as low as 33 per cent it is no wonder many feel the system isn't setting them up for success. 

"It is clear more needs to be done. But in the meantime, our learner driver tool can help learners make smarter choices about where to book.

"By ranking nearby test centres based on their pass rates, it encourages you to consider alternative locations that might speed up your booking and increase your chances of passing.

"You can also search by location to explore the options available near you."

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander (GOV.UK).

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has called on the DVSA to step up action to cut waiting times and widen access to driving tests through its Plan for Change.

However, the 2024/2025 DVSA Annual Report and Accounts show average waiting times for a practical test continue to rise.

As of March 2025, learners were waiting an average of 21.9 weeks to take their test, up from 16.1 weeks the year before.

To support learner drivers, Confused.com has launched a driving test pass rate calculator that ranks nearby test centres by their pass rate.

READ MORE:Drug dealer who targeted streets of Crewe jailed for over a decade.

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