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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Scots area named best in UK for passing your driving test first time – with three more in top 10
The first-time pass rates for the best locations have been revealed TESTING TIMES Scots area named best in UK for passing your driving test first time – with three more in top 10 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Four Scottish locations made the list of the best 10 places to pass a driving test Credit: Alamy 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.'
Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
The 10 best places in the UK to pass your driving test first time revealed… do YOU live near one?
See The Sun's map of the top places below SCHOOL'S OUT The 10 best places in the UK to pass your driving test first time revealed… do YOU live near one? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE best places to take your driving test have been revealed in a new analysis of DVSA data - and it's good news for drivers in Scotland. There are "remarkable" differences in first-time pass rates across the UK, according to the figures. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A town in Scotland has a staggeringly high pass rate Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 5 A beautiful lake district town is the best place in England to take your test Credit: Alamy 5 Forfar in Scotland is the second-best place in the UK to take your test Credit: Andrew Barr - The Sun Glasgow 5 It comes after The Sun previously revealed the hardest test centres to pass at. From three-point turns to checking blind spots, there is plenty for novice drivers to think about during their test. And with a long wait for a slot, knowing you have a good chance of success is crucial. The best location to take your driving test is Montrose, in Scotland, where a staggering 69.6% of drivers pass on the first attempt. The second-best test centre is Forfar, just down the road from Montrose. Although 69.5% of learners pass in Forfar, men have much more luck than women. While 75.5% of men pass, only 64.2% of women will receive their licence after their first attempt. Although the two best centres in the UK are in Scotland, English drivers shouldn't worry. There is only a tiny difference in the success rate between the best centre in England and Scotland. The beautiful lake district town of Kendal, in Cumbria, has a first-time pass rate of 69.1%. Shocking moment speeding van driver distracted by phone slams into broken-down car leaving victim with lifelong injuries And here women are more likely to get the stamp of approval from their examiner - 71.4% pass first time compared to 66.8% of men. The best centre in Wales rounds out the top five with a 66.9% first time pass rate. Nervous test-takers face a much bigger challenge in other parts of the country. Test centres in cities in the Midlands and North West are the trickiest for first timers, according to the data provided by Traffic Chart. In Wolverhampton, over two-thirds of people will leave disappointed after the first attempt. This makes it the worst place in the country to take your driving test. And down the road in Featherstone, only 31.9% of first-time test takers pass. 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." When it comes to picking a place to take your test, Hulshof said: "Rural locations typically offer better odds of first-time success, but practical factors like travel distance should be weighed against the potential benefits.' He also explained that men generally outperformed women across the country when it comes to first-time pass rates. Hulshof said: "It suggests that factors such as anxiety and pressure may affect male and female drivers differently in testing environments." How to boost your chances of passing first time Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training, the largest driving school in the UK, that trains nearly a quarter of all driving instructors in the country, has shared his top five tips to help boost your chances of passing for the first time: Master your manoeuvres Ensure you're confident with key manoeuvres like parallel parking, a forward bay park or a reverse bay park. These can make or break your test, so practice them until you're confident in doing these under pressure. Let your instructor know ahead of your test if there's anything you're concerned about and they can help you practice until needed. Plan your lessons with your instructor wisely Take lessons at different times of day, including busy periods. This helps you get comfortable with all driving conditions and traffic situations, giving you a true feel for real-world driving. Particularly if the only time you can secure a test is during a busy period – you'll be thanking yourself later. Your instructor will also help make sure you're test ready and point out anything that needs to be worked on. They're there to help your chances of passing for the first time! Focus on observation and awareness The driving test is as much about your ability to spot hazards as it is about your car control. Stay alert, check mirrors regularly, and always anticipate what's happening on the road. Your examiner will be looking out for this, so keep this in the back of your mind while taking the test. Know your theory Putting your theory knowledge into practice is more important during your test than ever. There are also resources students can use to ensure that they are fully prepared – at RED, we have apps to help our students prepare for their tests such as the Learn to Drive with RED app and RED's Complete Driving Theory app. Stay calm under pressure Don't let nerves get the best of you. Stay calm, take deep breaths, and if you make a mistake, don't let it get to you. Keep your focus on the next task and show the examiner you can recover quickly.
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
UK's traffic hell mapped – towns with WORST congestion revealed where drivers spend 360 HOURS trapped in queues a year
Motorists in one city spend 15 whole days a year stuck in traffic WAIT BRITAIN UK's traffic hell mapped – towns with WORST congestion revealed where drivers spend 360 HOURS trapped in queues a year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW map has revealed the towns and cities with the worst traffic congestion in the UK - where drivers spend up to 360 hours a year trapped in queues. The map, based on research by Compare the Market's car insurance, has Bradford in first place, with a traffic index score of 217. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The average Brit spends 240 hours, or ten days, a year stuck in traffic, according to research Credit: Alamy The average Bradford local spends nearly 360 hours - or 15 whole days - spent in traffic queues, according to the study. This is mainly down to the high number of motorists in the area - with 80 per cent saying they drive to work. Next up is Peterborough with a score of 210.4, followed by Bedford with 173.3, Huddersfield with 178.2 and Bournemouth with 171.6. The research also suggests that the average Brit spends 240 hours a year stuck in traffic - or ten days. Julie Daniels, from Compare the Market, told the Express: "Getting stuck in traffic, especially when you're running late, can be incredibly frustrating. "However, this is a common occurrence for many, as we spend almost 10 days a year stuck in traffic on average. "Plus, 17 per cent of drivers admit to experiencing road rage due to slow driving, so it's important to take steps to help reduce the stress brought on by traffic." To reduce inconvenience, Julie advised allowing extra journey time. She also recommended checking traffic apps for live updates - to make sure you're always prepared. This can help motorists alleviate stress, Julie added. Glasgow drivers swerve to avoid abandoned roadworks in city centre traffic She also highlighted the importance of staying alert, no matter how tedious standstill traffic may feel. "Keep the music volume down, maintain a safe distance, and resist the urge to reach for your phone," she said. "Using a mobile phone while driving - even when stationary - is illegal and could result in a fine of up to £1,000 and six penalty points on your license." Last month, a different study by Traffic Chart, suggested that Surrey, Essex, Hampshire and Kent are also among the worst areas for traffic. The numbers were calculated by looking at the total volume of all vehicle traffic miles, the number of licensed vehicles, and the annual average daily flow of traffic in 2023. Traffic Chart then gave each factor a score out of 100 - which was tallied for each local authority. Surrey topped the table, with a total index score of 88.70 out of 100. The data showed that the county had 802,236 licensed vehicles, which spent a total of 8.448 billion miles in traffic in 2023.
