Cumbria has some of the highest driving test pass success rates in the country according to new figures.

Carlisle, Kendal, Workington and Barrow all had higher test success rates than the national average of 48 per cent.

These figures have raised to record levels with some local centres having a 10 per cent higher success rate than before the pandemic.

The most successful centre in the region was Kendal where almost 63 per cent of people passed their driving test and Workington was the least successful with 57 per cent of people passing their test – still almost 10 per cent higher than the national average.

Cumbria also had a first-time pass rate much higher than the national average with nearly 60 per cent of people passing first time.

Men also had a higher chance of passing their tests than women with men more successful than women at every centre across the county.

The highest pass rates in the area were all seen whilst coronavirus restrictions were still in place.

In May 2021 Carlisle test centre saw a staggering 72 per cent of tests passed – meaning 3 out of every 4 were successful.

The figures were replicated across the area with the remaining centres all seeing record pass rates in April 2021.

Driving instructors have put the sharp rise in figures during the pandemic down to ‘incredibly motivated’ students who know failure could mean up to a 6 month wait to have a retest and the quieter roads caused by lockdown gave learner drivers more confidence in their ability.rec

According to the ‘Driving Test Cancellations’ website the current shortest wait time for a test in Cumbria is 12 weeks in Workington.

 

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