Scots area named best in UK for passing your driving test first time – with three more in top 10
TESTING TIMES Scots area named best in UK for passing your driving test first time – with three more in top 10
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SITTING a driving test is one of the most stressful, nerve-wracking times of a young person's life.
Most people behind the wheel will have memories of the longest 40 minutes as they put everything into securing their driving licence.
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Four Scottish locations made the list of the best 10 places to pass a driving test
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And now new data has found that some learners might have it easier when taking the dreaded driving test.
This is because the best places to pass across the UK have been revealed - and four of which are in Scotland.
And one test centre north of the border had the highest first-time pass rate compared to every other centre across Britain.
Locations across the country were named in the list of pass-friendly areas compiled by experts at traffic plan software Traffic Chart.
And Montrose, in Angus, came in top of the rankings, with an impressive first-attempt pass rate of 69.6 per cent.
This is just slightly higher than that of nearby Forfar, in Angus, which comes in second place at 69.5 per cent.
Scottish test centres perform exceptionally well, possibly due to less congested roads and different driving conditions compared to major urban areas
Martijn Hulshof
The data reveals an interesting gender split at these top centres.
In Monstrose, women achieved a higher pass rate (69.6 per cent) than men (69.2 per cent).
While in Forfar, men performed better with a 75.5 per cent pass rate compared to women's 64.2 per cent.
Rounding out the top three spots is Kendal, in Cumbria, with an overall pass rate of 69.1 per cent.
I'm a driving instructor and here's how to get a test date quicker
But it's another Scottish location that ranks fourth, with Arbroath, in Angus, having an impressive pass rate of 68.4 per cent.
Newtown, in Wales, secures fifth position with a pass rate of 66.9 per cent.
Barrow-In-Furness, in Cumbria, lands in sixth, with a 66.7 per cent pass rate.
The final Scottish location on the list is Fraserburgh, in Aberdeenshire, which landed in seventh place with a 64.8 per cent success rate.
The final three spots in the top ten were sealed by Chichester, in West Sussex, Dorchester, in Dorset, and Lancing, West Sussex, which all received rates between 63.5 per cent and 62.5 per cent.
Martijn Hulshof, founder of Traffic Chart, said: "These figures show remarkable regional variations in driving test success rates.
"Scottish test centres perform exceptionally well, possibly due to less congested roads and different driving conditions compared to major urban areas.
Full list of best UK locations to pass your driving test on the first attempt
Rank. Location, Region - Total pass rate Montrose, Angus - 69.6 per cent Forfar, Angus - 69.5 per cent Kendal, Cumbria - 69.1 per cent Arbroath, Angus - 68.4 per cent Newtown, Powys - 66.9 per cent Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria - 66.7 per cent Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire - 64.8 per cent Chichester, West Sussex - 63.5 per cent Dorchester, Dorset - 62.9 per cent Lancing, West Sussex - 62.5 per cent
"The gender differences are particularly interesting, with men generally outperforming women in first-time driving test pass rates.
"Since this trend appears consistent across the nation, it suggests that factors such as anxiety and pressure may affect male and female drivers differently in testing environments.
"Additionally, traffic volume, road complexity, and examiner approach can also influence a person's performance and potentially impact their test result.
'The data also shows that choosing where to take your test can significantly affect your chances of passing on the first attempt, although individual motor skills also play an important role.
"Rural locations typically offer better odds of first-time success, but practical factors like travel distance should be weighed against the potential benefits.'
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