The Toughest and Easiest Places to Take Your Driving Test in Greater Manchester

Few things in life compare to the nerve-wracking experience of taking your driving test for the first time. If you pass, you gain untold freedom. If you fail, you’re doomed to take public transport and re-tests. The DVSA ensures that its instructors are all held to the same high standard, but does this mean the location of your test has no impact on your chances of passing? Read on to find out more.

Pass rates in the UK

The average pass rate for the UK currently stands at 47%. This percentage varies however, depending on where you take your test in the UK. Scotland currently occupies nine of the top 10 spots for practical test pass rates - on a whole however, the average pass rate is 48.4%. Regions like the North East and East Midlands are further ahead at 50.9% and 50.1% respectively. Wales comes out on top however, with a 52.4% pass rate.

If you’re living in Greater Manchester, your chances of passing are slightly lower than the national average - 44% of tests result in a pass. This contrast between pass rates is rather understandable, as urban areas tend to be far less predictable than rural areas. Urban drivers have to deal with heavy congestion, a high volume of vehicles and a greater number of roundabouts in city areas. It’s worth noting that some learners find aspects like congestion to work in their favour - getting stuck in traffic means they have fewer chances to make mistakes.

Before you start panicking, the odds of you passing can also vary depending on which particular test centre you take your driving test at. In fact, some test centres have higher pass rates than both the Greater Manchester average and the national average.

It's key to note however, that all test centers across the UK have now updated the test itself as of 4th December 2017, putting more emphasis on the practical portion of the test. depending on your test centre this could make passing easier or harder.

The easiest and toughest test centres

Using figures released by the DVSA, we’ve found which test centres have the highest pass rates and which ones have the lowest. Before we get stuck into the figures, however, please note that when we say it’s easier to pass at certain test centres, we don’t mean that you won’t have to put in any effort. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a 100% guaranteed pass. Similarly, when we say some test centres are tougher to pass at, we don’t mean that you won’t have a single chance.

The star pupil of Greater Manchester currently stands as Hyde test centre with a whopping 58.5% pass rate. This is over 10% more than the national average and 14% more than the Greater Manchester average. Hot on its heels are Cheadle (54.5%), Bolton (52.7%), Atherton (50.9%) and Sale (50%).

Coming up in the steady middle ground is Bredbury (45.9%), West Didsbury (43%), Bury (42%) and Middleton (41%). While these test centres aren’t as impressive as Hyde, for example, they still give you a relatively good chance of passing - they’re only slightly lower than the Greater Manchester average.

Before you start thinking that it’s all sunshine and rainbows however, prepare to be disappointed. At the other end of the scale is Cheetham Hill test centre at a startlingly low 33%. Others in this sub-par category include Salford (34.5%), Failsworth (35.5%) and Rochdale (38.9%).

So there’s no chance of passing at certain test centres?

While the DVSA does try to make driving tests as equal as possible, unfortunately some test centres have a natural advantage. Learners who take their test in a quieter or more rural area are able to learn in a predictable environment. Beginner drivers take around 40-48 hours of lessons, which means that they will inevitably cover all of the local roads and features. In comparison, centres that are closer to major cities are subject to change - from roadworks, to hazards, to congestion.

This might tempt you to take your test further from where you live to avoid test centres with low pass rates. The Isle of Mull for example, has a pass rate of 88.2%, which is remarkable. So what’s to stop you from taking your test there, or at another rural test centre? It’s simple really. These types of areas lack major road features like dual carriageways and roundabouts. Rural learners therefore, won’t have experience with driving in cities.

You need to learn how to drive in the area you live in. It’s better to have an understanding of the area and its complex features. Otherwise, you could make small mistakes on the road that could have huge repercussions.

It’s not always down to the test centre or the location…

While it can be easier to blame the test centre and the location for failing, this isn’t always the case. Some candidates rush into taking their driving test before they’re ready. The DVSA recommends learners take 45 hours or more, and while this sounds like a lot, you should bear in mind that there’s no such thing as too much practice. Bear in mind that you can never really predict how well a learner will do on their test. Some learners are nervous throughout their lessons only to pass flawlessly on the day of their test. Others are confident in their ability only to choke up on the day.

There are many factors that work against a driving learner during the test. A main contribution to failure is a lack of foresight and observational skills. Many learners struggle with junctions and crossroads—with inappropriate use of mirrors, signaling speed and position. Understandably, the unpredictability of the road and other drivers can make candidates panic or stall on the day of their test. Below, you’ll find the DVSA’s top 10 reasons for failing in 2015/16.

There are 3 types of faults you can make during your test:

• A dangerous fault: this involves actual danger to you, the examiner or the public.
• A serious fault: something potentially dangerous.
• A driving fault: this isn’t potentially dangerous, but it could become a serious fault if you keep on making the same fault.

You can pass your test as long as you make no more than 15 driving faults (also known as ‘minors’) and no serious or dangerous faults (also known as ‘majors’). It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or if it’s your second (or third, fourth) retake - only 47.5% of people pass on their first attempt, but 85.8% of people pass within their first three attempts.

Practice Makes Perfect

The key to passing is experience and preparation. You need to feel comfortable driving around in both urban and rural areas before your test. As tempting as it can be to obsess about pass rates and statistics, you should be confident in your own ability. Choose a test centre close to home, so you can be sure that you’re confident with the driving conditions that you’ll have to deal with every day once you’ve passed.

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