• Wanstead is the toughest place in the UK to take a driving test
• Failure rate of over 64 per cent in UK’s toughest six towns
• Easiest place to pass in Barrow in Furness
• Most common reason for failure is observation at junctions
• Four of the top ten hardest test locations are in London
• Four of the top ten easiest test locations are in Scotland
   

A new report out today from Privilege Car Insurance, has revealed the toughest and easiest parts of the UK to take the driving test.

According to analysis of five years of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) data, the toughest place in the country to take your test is Wanstead in London where more than two in three (67.15 per cent) learner drivers fail their test.

This is compared to the next ‘failure capitals’ Belvedere and Wood Green (both in London), which have a fail rate of 66.92 and 64.78 per cent respectively. 

The new report reveals that the ‘easiest’ place in the UK to take your test is Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, with just one in three (33.93 per cent) learner drivers failing in the last five years.

Barrow-in-Furness is followed closely by Whitby, North Yorkshire (34.54 per cent) and Llandrindod Wells, in Powys, Wales (34.94 per cent).
 

Top 10 toughest towns and cities in the UK to take your driving test:

Source: Privilege Car Insurance

Top 10 easiest towns and cities in the UK to take your driving test:

Source: Privilege Car Insurance

Neil Beeson, Privilege driving consultant and driving test expert, commented: “The data reveals that it is easier to pass in a rural setting than in a city one and this can be put down to a number of factors including; heavier congestion, higher volume of vehicles, both parked and moving, and an increased number of roundabouts in city areas.” 

“Wanstead’s driving test routes incorporate up to four major roundabouts, including the Redbridge roundabout which is particularly problematic due to multi-lanes and heavy traffic flow. Getting into the correct lane is a problem for lots of drivers and this can cause even bigger issues for learners, as they have to deal with people changing lanes at the last moment. 

“Situations such as these can result in a number of minor faults being incurred and with only 15 allowed during the test, a higher than average fail rate is understandable.

“Additionally, Wanstead is extremely congested and lots of its roads have on-street parking. This causes issues for learners when emerging from side roads onto main roads as their view can be seriously restricted.”

Beeson continued, “By contrast, Barrow-in-Furness – the easiest place in the UK to take your test - is a much quieter test area.  Although it is still in a town, the traffic is less heavy than Wanstead and test routes include rural areas, which tend to have less volume of traffic. This makes the driving more predictable, or at least less affected by the actions of other drivers.

“Overall driving in quieter areas gives you more time to think about what you need to do, and you don’t feel as pressured from other drivers. The downside to learning to drive in quieter areas is that it can put you at a disadvantage when you have to drive in heavy traffic, or in complicated multi-lane situations.”

Privilege also looked into the most common reasons for failing a driving test. A Freedom of Information Act request revealed that lack of observation at junctions, not checking mirrors, steering control and turning right at junctions are the most common reasons people fail their driving test.
 

Top 10 major and minor faults June 2011 – June 2016:

Charlotte Fielding of Privilege Car Insurance said: “Good drivers are vigilant and at ease in almost any motoring situation. Therefore, taking the driving test in a difficult area such as Wanstead may even stand to help people in the long run.

“Regardless of where you sit your test, to ensure the best chance of success it’s important to be fully prepared and in the right state of mind. With newly qualified drivers experiencing some of the highest number of accidents, it is essential to have an insurance policy that stands you in good stead after you pass and provides peace of mind in case of accident.”
 

ENDS
 

For more information, please contact: Fran Langdon or Laura Nugent at Van Communications

[email protected] / [email protected] / 020 3179 0720
 

Notes to Editors

1. Analysis of data from the DVSA undertaken by Privilege Car Insurance, June 2016 [FOI REF: IA/00188/16 - A breakdown of test centre and the routes driven in each centre with failure rates for each] NB – only test centres with 3+ test routes for each of the past five years were included within the analysis.
2. Analysis of data from the DVSA undertaken by Privilege Car Insurance, June 2016  [FOI REF: IA/00296/16 - Top 10 reasons for failing the practical driving test, 2006 to 2016]
3. Data analysis sourced from driving test expert and instructor, Neil Beeson.
    

Privilege

Privilege Insurance specialises in car insurance for safe drivers. It also offers home insurance and breakdown cover by phone or on-line.

Privilege general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Privilege and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Privilege’s products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 0515 or visiting www.privilege.co.uk

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