Milton Keynes learner drivers record one of the worst records for passing driving test first time

The RAC Foundation warned the real challenge for newly qualified drivers comes after their test as they are much more likely to have a crash in their first year on the road.

Hopeful students made 3,870 first attempts at passing their car driving test at Bletchley Test Centre in 2019-20, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency figures show.

Of those, 1,590 were successful, which at a pass rate of 41%, was one of the lowest of any test centre in the region included in the data.

This excludes centres that recorded fewer than 100 first-attempt tests as the DVSA cautions against drawing conclusions from such low numbers.

The average pass rate for first attempts across Britain was 46% last year.

Learners at the Arbroath Test Centre in Scotland held the best record, at 72%, while only just over a quarter of those making a first attempt at the Pavilion Test Centre in Birmingham gained their licence at the first time of asking.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said test centres in quieter locations may prove less challenging on the day than those in congested urban areas.

“Every driver knows that passing the test is only the first hurdle – the real challenge comes when a newly qualified driver has to take full responsibility themselves,” he said.

“Safely negotiate the first 1,000 miles after gaining your licence and the risk of having a crash drops sharply.”

Mr Gooding said data suggested that a decline in the number of young people holding a driving licence in recent years had begun to reverse.

He added: “With the challenges of Covid-related restrictions we could witness higher numbers of young people learning to drive because they see it as important to their employment prospects."

Of the 3,870 first attempts made at Bletchley Test Centre, 17 drivers passed with no faults.

They were among 10,375 learners across Britain who passed on their first attempt without putting a foot wrong.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said pass rates can be affected by many factors before the test, including the number of lessons a learner takes, their level of experience and road layouts in the area.

The DVSA said the figures are based on driver licence numbers, so someone who has changed their licence number could be reported more than once in the data.