BASINGSTOKE has been ranked the seventh easiest place to pass your driving test in the UK, according to a new study.

With a high pass rate of 62 per cent, the study by moneybarn.com found Basingstoke to be the seventh easiest place to pass your driving test in the UK.

Of the 2,048 tests taken here between April 2023 and September 2023, 1,270 have resulted in a pass, placing it among the highest pass rates of every test centre across the country.

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Learner drivers in Kendal (Oxenholme Road) test centre have the most luck at passing their driving test, with a pass rate of 67.9 per cent. Of 1,058 tests taken there between April 2023 and September 2023, 718 were passed by learner drivers.

Chichester has the second-highest practical driving test pass rate of 64.4 per cent. This test centre also has more passes than any other entry in the top three, totalling 2,361 between April 2023 and September 2023, making it a lucky location to take your driving test.

The full list is as follows: 

  1. Kendall (Oxenholme Road test centre)
  2. Chichester
  3. Dorchester
  4. Ludlow
  5. Dundee
  6. Bridlington
  7. Basingstoke
  8. Ipswich
  9. Yeovil
  10. Salisbury

Further investigations found that Speke in Liverpool ranked as the test centre with the worst pass rate, at 31.6 per cent. This is quite a way off the 48.8 per cent national average.

It was also found that 17-year-olds have the highest number of conducted tests in the UK, with a better pass rate than any other age group, at 54.5 per cent.

Paul Green, national remarketing manager at Moneybarn, shared his five top tips to help driving test takers pass their test:

  1. Plan ahead - It can be tempting to pick the nearest test date, but you should ensure it doesn’t clash with any stressful events you may have or risk stressing yourself out further.
  2. Take a mock driving test - Mock driving tests allow you to practise in a test-like environment, helping you and your instructor identify potential improvement areas, so be sure to ask for one.
  3. Manage your nerves - Whether your test slot is in the morning or afternoon, getting a good night’s sleep is imperative to maximise your chances of passing. For more energy, be sure to stay hydrated and eat slow-burning foods while avoiding caffeine where you can, as this can induce anxiety. 
  4. Stay positive - You can have up to 15 minors on your practical test, so having the mindset that you don’t need to be perfect will help you stay calm during your test.

  5. Use online tools - There are lots of free online tools to help with your practical and theory tests. You can take a free mock theory test online, and for your practical, there are extra tips on the gov.uk website.

Readers can read the full findings here