Do N. Wales learner drivers face toughest test? – ask Bedford driving instructors

PASSING the driving test in North Wales appears to be far tougher than anywhere else in Wales, according to latest figures.

In Rhyl, the pass rate in 2007 for learner drivers was just 35%, compared to 63% in Lampeter, West Wales.

In Mold, it was 38% and in Colwyn Bay, 39%. Further south, 58% got through in Cardigan and 54% in Aberystwyth.

Pass rates also top 50% in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea while the national Wales average is 49%.

The figures were obtained by Plaid Cymru, and have prompted South Wales Central AM Chris Franks to seek an explanation from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

Mr Franks said: “The figures from the DSA show a considerable discrepancy between the pass rates for drivers in parts of Wales.

“It does appear much harder to pass a driving test in North Wales than, for instance, in parts of West Wales. Learner drivers also seem to wait longer for tests in the north than their counterparts in other parts of Wales.

“I will be writing to the DSA to find out if there are any local reasons for such a significant difference in pass rates across Wales. I’m sure learner drivers would expect to be treated the same wherever they take their test.

“Waiting times for driving tests also vary considerably which might suggest there are not enough examiners in some areas. For instance, there is a wait of three months in Llanelli but half that time in Cardiff or Newport.”

A spokesman for the DSA denied there was any difference in the difficulty of tests in different regions.

But he said that there could be a correlation between an area’s affluence and the success rate of learners.

“Socio-economic factors, related to different areas, can have a bearing on pass rates and the fact that some people are more prepared for the test than others,” he said.

“The wealthier the town or area, the more likely people are to be able to invest more money on lessons and will have more opportunities for private practice, access to family vehicles etc, and it would be highly improbable that every test centre would return the same pass rate countrywide.

“Examiners are highly trained to ensure they consistently apply the DSA standard of assessment and all driving tests are assessed to a uniform standard throughout the country.

“This ensures that only those candidates who can demonstrate an appropriate and safe standard of driving during the test receive a driving licence.”

He added that all learner drivers should be able to get a practical car driving test within nine weeks at any permanent centre.

Commenting on the statistics, one Mold driving instructor said: “I don’t know whether the closure of the Wrexham test centre had any bearing, but the closure was supposed to be temporary, although nothing seems to have happened about a new one. It’s certainly got far more difficult for the younger ones. I don’t know what the answer is, but we can’t be so bad up here and everywhere else so good!”

 Source: Daily Post website by Carl Butler

Comments please from driving instructors and driving schools who are BADDIA (Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association) members giving driving lessons, Pass Plus, advanced lessons, automatic lessons, disabled lessons, towing lessons, refresher courses, motorway lessons, fleet training in preparation for driving tests or driver improvement in the Bedford area.