Official Statistics

Driving test, theory test and instructor statistics, January to March 2013

The number of theory tests and driving tests taken between January 2013 and March 2013, pass rates, and the number of instructors.

From:
Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published
27 June 2013

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Driver and rider tests and instructor statistics: 2012-13

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Driver and rider tests and instructor statistics: 2012-13 and XLS tables

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Details

This publication presents information on the number and pass rates of driving and riding practical tests conducted in Great Britain for the quarter to 31 March 2013 and statistics from the Approved Driving Instructor register and the Integrated Register of Driver Trainers.

The test and instructor statistics are derived from data held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which administers the driving test and training schemes in Great Britain.

Key points:

  • There were 329,055 car practical tests conducted between January and March 2013, 16.8% fewer than in the same period of 2012. The pass rate for these tests was 47.2%, differing only slightly (up 0.4%) from the same period of 2012. Prolonged winter weather during early 2013 is likely to have reduced the number of tests carried out.
  • There were 289,556 car theory tests conducted between January and March 2013, 17.5% fewer than in the same period of 2012. The pass rate for these tests was 52.3%, 7.2 percentage points lower than in the same period of 2012.
  • In January 2012, the car theory test question bank was withdrawn from publication, and new, previously-unpublished questions were added to the test in January 2013. These changes affecting the car theory test appear to have reduced both candidate numbers and pass rates.
  • On 19 January 2013, the EU 3rd Driving Licence Directive came into force in the UK. This limits the engine size of motorcycles available for use on UK roads by riders under the age of 24 at the date of attempting the practical test. There was an increase in the number of theory and practical motorcycle tests for riders in this age group in the lead-up to the implementation date, with a sharp fall afterwards.

Technical information

Information on Driver and Rider Test and Instructor statistics, including the pre-release access list, and related technical documentation can be found here.

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Published 27 June 2013

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