The number of learner drivers passing their test with ZERO minor faults has risen significantly in the past five years, according to a new study by Select Car Leasing.
The UK driving test went through a major shake-up in December 2017, with traditional manoeuvres like ‘reversing around corners’ and ‘three-point-turns’ removed and replaced with elements like ‘driving with a sat-nav’ instead.
Now new stats uncovered by Select - via a Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) - has revealed that pass rates among those who ace their test without a single minor fault are soaring.
In 2018, around 2.4% of those who passed their tests did so without picking up a single minor fault.
By 2022, however, that figure has risen to 3.8% and by a difference of almost 11,500 learner drivers each year.
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, says: “On the face of it, an increase in the number of learner drivers passing their test without making any errors whatsoever is to be applauded. It could be a reflection that the UK’s dedicated vehicle instructors are driving up standards. However, the stats could also be seen by some to be a result of the ‘dumbing down’ of the driving test in recent years, which has made it easier to pass with flying colours. In my view, it’s important we continue to monitor these figures to ensure all road users are protected.”
The DVSA would refute claims the driving test is becoming easier.
In August last year the agency revealed how the overall pass rate between January and March 2022 was 47.1% - down from 48.1% in the previous quarter.
At the time the DVSA also launched a ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign, which urged learners to make sure they were truly ‘test-ready’ before booking an exam, to avoid disappointment and to also ease the burden on crippling waits to get a test slot
When it comes to driving test faults, if an examiner considers that a learner has made a ‘dangerous’ or ‘serious’ fault, putting themselves or others in danger, it’s an instant fail.
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Learners can, however, make a series of ‘driving faults’, or ‘minor faults’, and still pass. These minor faults cover things like failing to check mirrors, being too hesitant at roundabouts, or stalling.
In order to pass the test, a learner driver can make no more than 15 minor faults. If they make three of the same minor fault, they’ll also fail.
The Select Car Leasing stats reveal which test centres welcomed the highest number of faultless test passers.
In 2022, Cardiff’s Llanishen test centre topped the list of squeaky-clean learners, with 588 drivers having received zero minor faults when passing their tests.
Cardiff was followed by Ipswich (481), Preston (476), Norwich (459) and Goodmayes, London (453). Preston, Norwich and London’s Goodmayes test centres also featured in the top 5 list for 2021, too.
At the other end of the scale, around 1,000 learner drivers pass their test each year after racking-up the maximum 15 minor faults that are allowed.
The percentage of those who pass their test while right on the limit of possible failure has dipped slightly in the past five years - going from 0.15% of individuals who pass in 2018, to 0.12% in 2022.
Last year the test centre in Swansea saw the highest number of 15-point passers, with 72 individuals in 2022.
Swansea was followed by Bury St Edmunds (38), Canterbury (31), Macclesfield 26 (26), and Barnsley (22)
The two most common minor faults that trip-up learner drivers - and which have been consistent for the last five years - are ‘Moving off safely’ and ‘Maintain progress - speed’.
‘Moving off safely’ covers the inappropriate use of mirrors and/or failing to check blind spots, while ‘maintaining progress - speed’ actually penalises learners for driving too slowly for the speed limit and conditions.
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Number of people who passed their driving test:
- 2018: 772,507
- 2019: 746,823
- 2020: 388,166
- 2021: 552,108
- 2022: 801,932
- Overall: 3,245,929
Learner drivers who passed with zero Faults (overall 100,437 in five years)
- 2018 - 18,761 - 2.4% of those who passed overall in that year.
- 2019 - 19,383 - 2.6%
- 2020 - 11,831 - 3.0%
- 2021 - 20,252 - 3.7%
- 2022 - 30,257 - 3.8%
Top 10 test centres with most zero passes: 2022:
- Cardiff (Llanishen) - 588
- Ipswich - 481
- Preston - 476
- Norwich (Peachman Way) - 459
- Goodmayes (London) - 453
- Farnborough - 442
- Bolton (Manchester) - 422
- West Didsbury (Manchester) - 412
- Hartlepool - 386
- Bristol (Kingswood) - 379
Top 10 test centres with most zero passes: 2021
- Goodmayes (London) - 362
- Preston - 285
- Norwich (Peachman Way) - 277
- Bristol (Kingswood) - 276
- Bolton (Manchester) - 275
- Lee On The Solent - 274
- Farnborough - 269
- Middlesbrough - 252
- Cardiff (Llanishen) - 232
- Hither Green (London) - 215
Number of people who passed with maximum 15 points
- 2018 - 1,139 - 0.147% of those who passed overall in that year.
- 2019 - 859 - 0.115%
- 2020 - 549 - 0.141%
- 2021 - 938 - 0.169%
- 2022 - 940 - 0.117%
Top 10 test centres with the most number of people passing with max 15 points in 2022
- Swansea - 72
- Bury St Edmunds - 38
- Canterbury - 31
- Macclesfield - 26
- Barnsley - 22
- Brentwood (London) - 22
- Scunthorpe - 21
- Scarborough - 20
- Scunthorpe - 21
- Worcester - 19
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