According to the latest figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), there are more and more learners passing their tests than before the pandemic. For instance:
The average pass test rate for the practical theory test was 46.4% pre-pandemic. It is now 51.9%.
It’s good news for theory test takers as well. The average pass rate for the theory test rate was 49% pre-pandemic and is now 55.9%.
Why the increase?
Because of the increase in waiting times for tests, industry experts believe that learners are taking more time to practice so they get a pass on their first attempt. After all, failing your test potentially means another potentially long wait before another slot becomes available.
That’s good news for the DVSA. Last year, it asked driving instructors to help the agency reduce waiting lists by ensuring their pupils were ‘test-ready’ – and it appears that learners and instructors took that request seriously.
Contributing factors
There are other reasons that could be contributing to the uptick in passes as well: “The pass rate can possibly be explained by a variety of factors including driver preparation, higher determination held by learners after considerable backlog, as well as quieter roads,” explained Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driving School, to the Daily Express.
“Although the closure of the test centres was undeniably a stressful time for many, it allowed learners more time for lessons meaning more time to prepare and practice before their big day.”
Going forward
With test waiting times now officially predicted to be around 3.5 months, the latest pass rates demonstrate that practice does indeed make perfect whether you’re booking extra lessons or spending more time learning the Highway Code.
Hopefully, as Britain opens up, waiting times will fall but the ‘prepare yourself fully’ attitude that’s been adopted by learners will continue long after the pandemic is finally over.
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