ADUK Archive

Simply, yes.

This can be for various reasons, but principly lesson cost and centre pass rates.

IIRC, the best rate was Stonehaven (near Aberdeen) and the worst was either Birmingham or Leicester.

Stonehaven did well because there were few hazards - hills, traffic lights, roundabouts etc.

Birmingham or Leicester was worst because of the high ethnic population and language difficulties.

The rates were posted on the DSA's website

The DSA pass rates do not say which test it is though - 1st, 2nd ,3rd etc so how much creedance you put on them is up to you

ROG wrote:The DSA pass rates do not say which test it is though - 1st, 2nd ,3rd etc so how much creedance you put on them is up to you

Wouldn't it be from a total?

ie, if they do one test, a pass, then 100%. If the trainee fails, then passes = 50%. etc.

So although there may be a similar number of 'first time passes' at each centre, it could be those having trouble who bump up the stats. Or is that what you meant?

Newbury used to be good pre-bypass. Book your test on a Thursday (market day) and you'd hardly get out of the test centre!

Angus wrote:IIRC, the best rate was Stonehaven (near Aberdeen) and the worst was either Birmingham or Leicester.

Stonehaven did well because there were few hazards - hills, traffic lights, roundabouts etc.

Hmm, as I remember it, there are quite a few hills around Stonehaven.

Angus wrote:Birmingham or Leicester was worst because of the high ethnic population and language difficulties.

This suggests the differential in pass rates may be to do with the level of preparedness of the candidates rather than any intrinsic differences in the difficulty of the test. So you wouldn't necessarily improve your individual chances by taking the test somewhere else.

A thought -

A driver should be able to pass the DSA car test no matter where it is if they are good enough....

chriskay wrote:I don't think it's necessary to involve a driving school at all. As far as I know, you can simply apply to the DVLA for both theory & practical tests at a centre of your choice. You can do this on-line.

The DSA not the DVLA administer driving tests.

No, you don't need to involve a driving school at all, though it may be worth a couple of lessons in an area with an instructor prior to test just to get some experience on any quirky areas (eg in Swindon, the Magic Roundabout can cause problems for experienced drivers who have never come across it before! Sadly it is no longer on any test routes!)

Rog, quite agree that anyone should be able to pass a test anywhere if they are good enough, but there are some unique quirks to some areas that can catch people out.

The only trouble with Newbury are the very short slip roads, some almost immediately after a bend!

Nigel

ROG wrote:A thought -

A driver should be able to pass the DSA car test no matter where it is if they are good enough....

But the way the UK test works is you don't pass it, you fail it.

The initial assupmption is that you are a perfect driver and it's the mistakes you make that fail you.

Angus wrote:

ROG wrote:A thought -

A driver should be able to pass the DSA car test no matter where it is if they are good enough....

But the way the UK test works is you don't pass it, you fail it.

The initial assupmption is that you are a perfect driver and it's the mistakes you make that fail you.

and the problem with that is....?

Nigel

adiNigel wrote:and the problem with that is....?

Definition of 'perfect' - DSA perfect or Roadcraft perfect for example.........

Surely the DSA test for competence rather than perfection. The minimum standard needed to be let loose on the public roads.

MGF wrote:Surely the DSA test for competence rather than perfection. The minimum standard needed to be let loose on the public roads.

Agreed but I would have said basic competence

Having read through the previous answers and in case it's not completely clear ...

musicmad wrote:is it possible to approach any driving school in the UK to pass your test even though you’re not from that part of the country ?

In the UK, driving schools are the most common way people learn to drive.

Driving tests for learners are arranged and administered by a central government body and are absolutely nothing to do with the driving schools.

The advantage to taking the test in the same area as your chosen driving school is that the instructors will know the test routes used by the local test centres and are therefore likely to make sure you know how to negotiate any particularly tricky junctions along those routes.

Having said that, if your driving instructor has done a good job and taught you to drive rather than just to pass the test, (and some people say there is a real difference between the two), then you should be able to take the test pretty much anywhere in the UK with a reasonable expectation of being able to pass, assuming you don't suffer overly from being nervous in the test.

Absolutley! We have had students come from Scotland to learn to drive with us at Bristol Driving School. If you know of a good instructor and he/she is free for an intensive course, why not travel? That's if you can afford all the expense.

www.a-class-driving.com