Birmingham driving test centres with the lowest - and highest - pass rates

On average 1.6 million people take a driving test each year across Britain, but some test centres have far higher pass rates than others.

The coronavirus pandemic severely hampered the number of tests carried out. In the 12 months to March 2021, just under 440,000 tests were conducted, with half of drivers (217,000) passing, according to data sourced from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

In the West Midlands there were 125,517 conducted between April 2020 and September 2021 and 56,658 passes. This means 45.1% of tests resulted in a pass.

The most recent figures available for this year also show that some areas of Birmingham are the hardest in the country to pass a driving test.

The figures - from April to September 202 - shows a big increase in the volume of tests carried out.

Some 700,000 tests were completed, again with about half (350,000) of drivers passing.

A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency spokesperson said: “DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.

“The driver testing and training regime tests candidates’ ability to drive safely and responsibly as well as making sure they know the theory behind safe driving.

“All candidates are assessed to the same standard and the result of their test is entirely dependent on their performance on the day.”

As mentioned, not all driving centres have high pass rates either, here we reveal the driving centres in Birmingham where it is hardest to pass your driving test.

1. Sutton Coldfield

In Sutton Coldfield there were 5,516 tests conducted between April 2020 and September 2021 and 1,990 passes. This means 36.1% of tests resulted in a pass.

This was the worst pass rate in the West Midlands during that time period, and the fourth worst in the whole of Great Britain.

2. South Yardley

In Birmingham South Yardley, there were 6,458 tests conducted between April 2020 and September 2021 and 2,335 passes. This means just 36.2% of tests resulted in a pass.

This is the second worst pass rate in the region and fifth worst in Britain.

3. Kingstanding

In Kingstanding, there were 8,502 tests conducted between April 2020 and September 2021 and 3,097 passes. This means 36.4% of tests resulted in a pass - meaning Kingstanding is the sixth hardest place to pass a test in Britain and the third hardest in the West Midlands.

4. Kings Heath

In Kings Heath, there were 4,195 tests taken between April 2020 and September 202, with 1,765 passes. This means 42.1% of tests taken here resulted in a pass.

This is the fourth worst pass rate in Birmingham, ninth worst in the West Midlands region and 29th worst in Britain.

5. Gerretts Green

In Garretts Green, there were 8,866 tests taken between April 2020 and September 202, with 3,745 passes. This means 42.2% of tests taken here resulted in a pass.

This is the fifth worst pass rate in Birmingham, tenth the West Midlands region and 30th worst in Britain.

Where is the easiest place to take a test in Birmingham

1. Shirley

In Shirley, there were 3,166 tests taken between April 2020 and September 2020, with 1,598 passes. This means 50.5% of tests taken here resulted in a pass.

This means Shirley has the best pass rate in and around Birmingham and is the 11th easiest place to take pass a test in the West Midlands.

2. Wyndley

In Wyndley, Sutton Coldfield, there were 2,965 tests taken between April 2020 and September 2020, with 1,485 passes, meaning 50.1% of tests taken here resulted in a pass.

This is the twelfth best pass rate in the West Midlands and second best in Birmingham.

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