The DVSA has announced new rules for driving test bookings in a bid to slash waiting times. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the average wait time for a driving test was approximately 7 to 9 weeks at most test centres across the UK. However, drivers are now having to wait up to six months for a driving practical test, a 200% increase in waiting times.
A recent X post has gone viral, stating there are “no driving tests till 2026” due to the backlog of drivers waiting to take their test after the COVID-19 pandemic. The post has over 1.2 million views and 14k likes, with many drivers experiencing the same issue.
It’s unsurprising that many drivers are keen to pass their test the first time to avoid having to wait again. To help you avoid the worst-performing centres, we have analysed the latest official DVSA data for 2023/24.
These are the five lowest-performing practical test centres in the UK based on official (2023–24) DVSA figures:
Rank | Location | Tests Conducted | No. of Passes | Pass rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Featherstone | 7741 | 2620 | 33.8 |
2 | Wolverhampton | 6345 | 2152 | 33.9 |
3 | Wednesbury | 4821 | 1727 | 35.8 |
4 | Chingford (London) | 6830 | 2446 | 35.8 |
5 | Belvedere (London) | 2303 | 862 | 37.4 |
Featherstone – Lowest Pass Rate in the UK
Featherstone ranks as the worst location for learner drivers, based on DVSA data. Located in the City of Wakefield, just twelve miles from Leeds. It ranks number one in the top five worst places to take your driving test. Out of 7,741 drivers, only 2,620 drivers passed their practical test, resulting in a pass rate percentage of only 33.8%.
Wolverhampton – Long Waits and Low Pass Rates
Wolverhampton ranks in the top five worst locations to take your driving test. At the Test Centre, only 2,152 drivers passed their test, resulting in a pass rate of 33.9%. According to Driving Test Routes the current average wait time for a driving test at the test centre is 19.92 weeks.
Wednesbury – Over 60% Fail First Time
Found in the county of the West Midlands, Wednesbury is a market town in the Sandwell district. Drivers taking their practical driving test here are likelier to fail than pass. The 35.8% pass rate is among the worst in the UK, with over 60% of drivers failing to pass at the Wednesbury test centre.
Chingford – One of London’s Toughest Test Centres
Chingford is located within the London Borough of Waltham Forest, a suburban town in East London. For drivers looking to take their practical driving test, the past rate at Chingford is only 35.8%. Only 2,446 drivers passed their test here in the last year, leaving 4,384 drivers failing their test.
Belvedere – Long Waits in Southeast London
Only 862 drivers out of over 2000 passed in Belvedere with a pass rate of only 37.4%, the test centre in Belvedere in London is the fifth worst in the ranking. The average waiting time for a driving test in this southeast town of London is 15.75 weeks, according to Driving Test Routes.
There’s no single reason, but several issues have added up:
- COVID-19 backlog: Tests were cancelled for months, creating a massive queue.
- High demand: More people are learning to drive since the pandemic.
- Examiner shortages: DVSA is still catching up on recruitment and training.
- Retests: Low pass rates mean more learners are taking multiple tests.
According to The AA, demand for tests still far exceeds supply in many areas, especially cities.
If you're booking your driving test, avoid the lowest-ranking centres if you can. Long waits and low pass rates are a bad combination. Consider alternative locations with better pass stats and shorter queues. Use official sources like GOV.UK and Driving Test Routes to check both pass rates and waiting times before you book.
Driving test delays aren’t going away anytime soon. But with the right planning, you can give yourself a better chance of passing with our How to Pass Your Driving Test First Time in the UK blog.
You can read more in our Ultimate Guide to Passing Your UK Driving Test. We also publish weekly blogs covering a range of topics, browse the blog section on our website to explore them all.
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