This autumn, thousands of people will migrate across the country to move into their student halls and housing for their first year of university. As guidelines currently stand, driving lessons are permissible under COVID-19 regulations.
With many young people raring to get behind the wheel, university might be the best opportunity to learn to drive. Students often have more free time along with that extra taste of freedom after moving away from home.
In this study, CAT Autokeys has identified the universities where students are most likely to pass their test. This research was done by sourcing the closest driving test centre to each university, and then using the most recent government to find out the average test pass percentage for those aged between 17-25, in England, Scotland and Wales*.
Many of us want to learn to drive before graduating university. It not only increases the scope of where we can drive to for work, but it’s also always a bonus on CVs. In some cases, it’s even a requirement for a job.
Do you go to one of the top universities for pass-rates in Great Britain? Take a look at the findings below:
Great Britain’s Top 5 Universities for Driving Test-Pass Rates (England, Scotland, Wales)
1 – Durham University – 62% – Durham Test Centre
2 – Bournemouth University – 58.9% – Poole Test Centre
3 – University of St Andrews, University of Dundee, Abertay Dundee – 58.6% – Dundee Test Centre
4 – University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University – 57.1% – Aberdeen South Cove Test Centre
5 – University of Central Lancashire – 56.7% – Preston Test Centre
Durham comes top across the country for pass rates by more than 3%. With two of the top five driving centres in the list residing in Scotland, students attending any of the five universities in the country mentioned appear to have one of the best chances of passing behind the wheel..
UK’s Top 5 Universities with the lowest driving test pass rates
1 – University of East London – 36.1% – Barking Tanner Street Test Centre
2 – Birmingham City University – 36.3% – Birmingham South Yardley Test Centre
3 – Queen Mary University of London – 37.5% – Wanstead London Test Centre
4 – University of Bedfordshire – 37.6% – Luton Test Centre
5 – University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marjon University – 38.5% – Plymouth Test Centre
Birmingham and London are two of the most congested cities in the UK, which could make it harder to pass your test. But sensible planning, lots of practice and limited caffeine on the day will increase your chances!
England’s Top 5 Universities for Driving Test-Pass Rates
1 – University of Durham – 62% – Durham Test Centre
2 – Bournemouth University – 58.9% – Poole Test Centre
3 – University of Central Lancashire – 56.7% – Preston Test Centre
4 – University of York and York St John University – 56.1% – York Test Centre
5 – Bolton University – 53.9% – Bolton Test Centre
Scotland’s Top 5 Universities for Driving Test-Pass Rates
1 – St. Andrews University and Dundee University and Abertay Dundee – 58.6% – Dundee Test Centre
2 – University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University – 57.1% – Aberdeen South Cove Test Centre
3 – Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University – 53.9% – Edinburgh Currie Test Centre
4 – University of Edinburgh and Queen Margaret University – 48% – Edinburgh Musselburgh Test Centre
5 – University of Stirling – 44.8% – Stirling Test Centre
Wales Top 5 Universities for Driving Test-Pass Rates
1 – University of Glamorgan – 56.2% – Llantrisant Test Centre
2 – Lampeter University – 55.3% – Carmarthen Test Centre
3 – University of Swansea – 54.2% – Swansea Test Centre
4 – UWIC and University of Cardiff – 53.4% – Cardiff Llanishen Test Centre
5 – University of Aberystwyth – 50.8% – Aberystwyth
Stephen Crawford, University Driving Instructor at Local Driving School, said: “It’s interesting to see the likes of Dundee and Aberdeen achieving the highest pass rates, with some universities in London, Birmingham and Bedfordshire in the bottom five. Generally, cities with quieter suburbs result in less road traffic, so present fewer unforeseen hazards where learner drivers can fail their test.
“There are several ways to calm any nerves for the first driving test. Ensure that the test is taken in the car that you are most familiar with, whether that’s your own or the instructors. Take a mock-test or an intensive course with your instructor. After this, you’ll know what to expect, and any areas of driving that need developing. Finally, work on these weaker areas of your driving rather than spending too much time on your strengths.”
Sources and Methodology
This research is based on the most recent government data available online. Current driving test statistics may differ.
You can find the full pass rates for each university in this doc:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16Q3bc5-yDd740yEkqWOLJzENjmYkzHRMADnnMSriaZA/edit#gid=0
*Data was not available for Northern Ireland