If you’ve ever failed your driving test (especially if you have more than once) the following facts will most likely apply to you:

1. You think every examiner is out to get you.

2. You seem to be spending all your money on retests and driving lessons.

3. It’s always other road users’ fault.

4. Your eyesight becomes blurry.

5. You completely forget how to drive on test.

6. You don’t tell your friends, family or work when your next test is.

7. You wish people would stop saying ‘you’ll do better next time’.

8. You start to resent the friends with driving licences.

9. You grit your teeth when accepting lifts from others.

10. You watch other people’s driving like a hawk.

11. And then you realise they’ve already picked up bad habits since passing.

12. You feel embarrassed taking public transport.

13. You feel even more embarrassed when you have to show your green licence as ID.

14. You give up believing you’ll pass before your start your test.

As disheartening as it is to fail your test, the key is perseverance and staying calm despite the nerves.

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32 test centres have been selected across the country where volunteer learners can take part in the trial test which involves changes to the independent driving section as well as the manoeuvres section of the driving test.

Learners taking part in the trial will be able to use satnavs in the independent driving section of the test, which will increase the length of this section from 10 minutes to around 20 minutes.

In a recent poll, 52% believe satnav driving tests were a good idea and 48% believed they weren’t.

Critics of the recent test say that learners should be very competent before becoming reliant on a satnav because they can be very off-putting. However, supporters of the test have argued that a lot of pupils make mistakes on the independent drive because they forget the directions and the satnav is a bit more useful and tries to modernise the test. People who have had the satnav test have been going on longer drives on faster roads and changing speed limits.

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The cost of car and motorcycle theory tests will drop from £25 to £23 for tests taken from 1 October 2015.

Theory test fees for other types of vehicle will also be reduced at the same time.

The changes apply to theory tests taken from 1 October 2015. You can now book tests for this date onwards.

You’ll have to pay the old fee if you choose a test date before 1 October 2015.

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A learner driver did not pass his driving test under their 36^th attempt. The learner finally passed at Sutton Coldfield five years after their first attempt, spending £2,232 in fees.

The driver failed their first ten attempts in Kingstanding, then tried once in Kings Heath. They then went back to Kingstanding for another 12 unsuccessful efforts, before switching back to Kingstanding, Sutton Coldfield and South Yardley. The motorists was finally successful in 2013.

However this is not the record for highest number of failing driving test. A learner in Stoke failed 36 times.

The learner from Birmingham almost passed on their second attempt but racked up a serious fault leading to an automatic fail. If it were not for that mistake, they would have avoided their 33 subsequent tests.

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It is 80 years since driving tests became compulsory for all new drivers in Britain, but why does it matter where you take the test?

Every learner driver goes through the same motions when going for their test. The nerves, ensuring you have the right documents, your last run through with your instructor before you go into the test centre. Pass and you are greeted with freedom, career prospects and that rewarding pink licence that you can show off. Fail and you have to wait just that bit longer for that rewarding moment, and the pressure of the day can even put people off trying again.

In recent years the number of people requiring 3, 4, 5 or even more tests in order to pass seems to be increasing and a lot attribute it to the test getting hard. But with some test centres boasting pass rates well in excess of that national average, does it matter where you take your test? In short, the answer is no since the DVSA states that examiners are regularly assessed to ensure tests are consistent across the country.

However, the case is more complicated than this. Learners in rural areas are effectively learning test routes in a fairly predictable environment. That way, there will be no nasty surprises. The opposite is the case in major cities as the situation is constantly changing with multiple hazards. Figures show that the lowest pass rate was in Belvedere in London with a pass rate of just 32.2% whilst the highest pass rate is in Isle of Mull, off the coast of Scotland with an 80% pass rate.

Shona from Britannia Driving School says ‘Driving tests in London are harder but this gives pupils a more varied experience, providing them with the skills to tackle all kinds of situations. The driving tests used by our pupils have pass rates above the national average and are the highest rates in the London area.’

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Before you attempt a practical test you will need to pass the theory test, which costs £25 and can be booked online, and have taken enough lessons to get you to test standard. The DVSA currently recommends 47 hours, this can be more or less depending on the individual and the programme on lessons.

Next, you need to think of where and when you want to book your test for. It is best to speak to your instructor regarding these details as they will be able to advise you on the test centre and time that best suits your needs. The test centre with the best record is Gairloch, a small village in the Scottish Highlands, with a 93.8% pass rate. On the other end of the scale, Belvedere test centre in London is the worst with a 30% pass rate. It is generally harder to pass in London than rural areas, however, the test centres used by our instructors generally have higher pass rates than the national average.

When it comes to actually booking your test, it is a common misconception that there is a ‘test cancellation list’. This is not the case and services claiming to find you a test cancellation are generally a scam and should be avoided. You can either book yourself either online or by calling the DVSA. Alternatively, you can use our fast track driving test service where our bookings team can find you an earlier test date.

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