#Average age to pass driving test uk drivers
#Average age to pass driving test uk full

The gap in pass rates between 1st timers and 6th+ timers is a relatively slim 1.6%. This suggests that younger learners are able to see their first practical as a learning experience and settle into the routine of the test better on later attempts. But, interestingly, for the youngest age groups, pass rates are actually higher for 2nd–5th attempts than they are for the 1st attempt. For all age groups, pass rates are at their lowest for those taking 6 or more tests. You can see the detail in the graph below.Ī few things stand out here. It's for this reason that it's interesting to see how pass rates vary for each attempt by age group. It also affects your ability to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back in the saddle when it comes to trying again. The issue of confidence doesn't just come into play with a learner's first driving test. However, this can often manifest itself as overconfidence when they actually get behind the wheel sans instructor-going some way to explaining the greater crash rate amongst this age group. Younger drivers, meanwhile, may initially gain some advantages from their more confident approach. That's because, while caution is a quality you will need to display on the roads, too much of it can result in driving test faults such as undue hesitation.

#Average age to pass driving test uk drivers

In fact, differences in confidence between age groups can have negative effects for older and younger drivers alike.įor older drivers, this overly cautious approach can have a negative effect when it comes to passing the practical test. This isn't to say, though, that there isn't some truth in it. It's a common trope that the older we get, the more cautious we become. Why is this the case? We set out to investigate. Nonetheless, pass rates for older learners stubbornly remain lower than those of younger age groups. The ABI found that, in fact, drivers between the ages 18 and 20 pay over four times the amount of 66–70-year-olds. And then there's the matter of higher insurance premiums for younger drivers. In fact, 23% of 18–24-year-olds crash within two years of passing their test. Department of Transport figures show, for example, that 60–69-year-olds are involved in less than half the number of crashes than 20–29-year-olds. It may come as something of a surprise that pass rates are lower amongst older age groups. Why are older drivers less likely to pass? You can also check out the progress of driving test pass rates by age in the graph below.

#Average age to pass driving test uk full

That's a full 23.5% lower than the rates for 17-year-olds! Of the ages for which data exists, 60-year-olds have the worst chances of passing their driving test: just 32.3%.

This is due to much smaller numbers of candidates taking their test at older ages. There's little variation in pass rates between the ages of 19–26, with learners in this age range enjoying pass rates around the national average.Īfter this point, pass rates enter a relatively steady decline for candidates up to the age of 43-for whom pass rates stand at 35.4%.īeyond this point, we see more statistical fluctuation. There's a huge gulf between pass rates for 17 and 18 year olds, though, with the latter 7.6% less likely to pass.įrom here, the trend becomes a little smoother.

As such, those who make the decision to drive as soon as they're able to seem to have the right idea! In fact, pass rates for 17-year-olds stand at 55.8%. The age at which you have the best chances of passing your test is 17. Here's what we gleaned from their (extensive) data tables. Having already enlightened us on the country's best and worst test centres, we delved through their stats once again to view the driving test pass rates by age. When it comes to the driving test, the DVSA is the fountain of all knowledge. Older and younger folk alike claim to be the better drivers-but who's right? To figure it out, we decided to take a look at driving test pass rates by age. Perhaps one of the fiercest rivalries, though, is the one between different age groups. Elsewhere, the different regions of the UK slug it out for dominance. In one corner, men and women viciously argue the case for their gender. In the pantheon of great driving debates, you'll find plenty of battles raging.

Driving Test Pass Rates by Age: Are Older Drivers Less Likely to Pass?