There’s nothing like the buzz of booking your driving test – freedom is just around the corner. But before you hit the road, there’s one hurdle every learner has to clear: the theory test. And while it might seem like a level playing field, fresh data shows that your chances of passing vary depending on where you take it – and whether you’re male or female.
We analysed GOV.UK data from April to September 2024 across 157 driving theory test centres (each with at least 100 tests taken), and the results show clear regional patterns. Scotland and southern England lead the way for female pass rates, while male candidates tend to perform best in England. But here’s the twist: women outperformed men at 94% of test centres nationwide.
Looking for insurance as a young driver? Read more.
Scotland and the South shine
Scotland’s North Berwick tops the charts with the highest female pass rate in the UK – 61.11%. Out of 90 women who took the test there, 55 passed. Male candidates at the same centre weren’t far behind, with a 53.54% pass rate – the highest male success rate across all centres.
Southern England also features prominently in the top 10 for female pass rates. Royal Tunbridge Wells ranks second, with 58.32% of women passing, followed by Cambridge (57.34%) and Guildford (56.24%). These centres also show strong male performance, though consistently lower than their female counterparts.
Lerwick in Scotland and Oban also make the top five for female pass rates, reinforcing the trend that Scotland is a stronghold for female theory test success.
Tougher roads in Wales, the Midlands and up North
On the flip side, Wales and parts of northern England and the Midlands present more of a challenge. Porthmadog in Wales has the lowest male pass rate in the UK – just 32.62%. Interestingly, female candidates there also struggled, with a pass rate of 37.78%, making it the second-lowest for women.
Stranraer in Scotland ranks lowest for female pass rates at 35.53%, though men fared better there with a mid-table 45.45%. Wick, Bradford, and Dudley also appear in the bottom 10 for female pass rates, with men only slightly outperforming them.
Women lead the way
Across the board, women are more likely to pass their theory test than men. Out of the 157 centres analysed, female candidates had a higher pass rate at 148 of them. That’s a whopping 94%.
Only nine centres bucked the trend, including Rhyl, Wick, Boston, Dumbarton, Burnley, Stranraer, Fort William, Newport, and Glossop – where male candidates edged ahead.
Even in centres where both genders struggled, such as Porthmadog, the gap between male and female pass rates remained consistent, suggesting that while some locations are tougher overall, women still tend to perform better.
What does this mean for learners?
So, what’s driving these regional and gender differences? It could be down to local education initiatives, demographic factors, or even test centre environments. But one thing’s clear: if you’re preparing for your theory test, it’s worth knowing how your local centre stacks up.
Whether you’re booking your test in Edinburgh or Exeter, knowing the stats can help you feel more confident – and better prepared. And if you’re looking for insurance once you’ve passed, well, then we can help!
With branches across the UK, you can either pop into your local branch or give the team a call to get started. Find your nearest branch here.
Sources: GOV.UK
You could also read:
- Could you still pay your bills if you couldn’t work?
- Where in the UK your car’s most likely to fail its MOT
- The truth behind smart doorbells
- What the Bank of England base rate cut means for you
- Rental laws are changing – landlords, are you covered?
This is a marketing blog by Howden Insurance.