According to the most recent data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), learners are passing their examinations at a higher rate than before the pandemic. Consider the following example:
Pre-pandemic, the average pass rate for the practical theory test was 46.4%. It has already reached 51.9%.
It’s also good news for those taking theory exams. Pre-pandemic, the average pass rate for the theoretical test was 49%; it is now 55.9%.
What’s the reason for the increase?
Because of the longer test wait periods, industry experts feel that students are spending more time practising in order to pass on the first try. After all, if you fail your test, you may have to wait a long time for another spot to become available.
This is excellent news for the DVSA. It encouraged driving instructors last year to help the agency cut waiting for lines by making sure their students were ‘test-ready,’ and it appears that both learners and instructors took the request seriously.
Good times ahead
With test wait times currently expected to be about 3.5 months, the new pass rates show that whether you’re booking extra classes or spending more time studying the Highway Code, practice does truly make perfect.
Waiting times may hopefully decrease as Britain opens up, but learners’ ‘prepare yourself thoroughly’ attitude will likely persist long after the pandemic is finished.
