DATA released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed that the pass rates for driving tests at Cornwall test centres in 2022 were lower than 50 per cent. 

According to recent data released by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), only 43.4 per cent of all driving tests conducted at the Camborne test centre between April and September 2022 resulted in a pass.

Figures for the Pezance test centre fair a little better, with 48.7 per cent of tests resulting in a pass, however, Camborne did six times as many tests as Penzance with 2,604 to 427. 

For context, the national average pass rate of 48.7 per cent with 816,844 tests undertaken April and September 2022. 

The data also sheds light on the differences in pass rates between male and female drivers.

At the Camborne test centre, boys took 1,279 tests between April and September, with 585 resulting in a pass, giving a total pass rate of 45.7 per cent. 

Girls took 1,325 tests with 544 passes and a total pass rate of 41.1 per cent. 

In Penzance, boys took 173 tests between April and September, with 91 resulting in a pass, giving a total pass rate of 52.6 per cent. 

Girls took 254 tests with 117 passes and a total pass rate of 46.1 per cent. 

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Nationally, boys took 423,515 tests, with 214,434 resulting in a pass, giving a total pass rate of 50.6 per cent. 

Girls took 393,150 tests with 183,265 passes and a total pass rate of 46.6 per cent. 

Earlier this year, the DVSA revealed the ten most common reasons learners have failed their driving tests.

The communications were sent out to instructors during the backlog caused by the pandemic in the hope that if instructors focus on these areas during tuition and refresher sessions, with many learners having been out of practice due to lockdown, many more will pass first time. 

The top ten mistakes causing learners to fail their driving test included:

  1. Not making effective observations at junctions
  2. Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
  3. Not having proper control of the steering
  4. Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions
  5. Not moving off safely
  6. Not responding appropriately to traffic lights
  7. Poor positioning on the road during normal driving
  8. Not responding correctly to traffic signs
  9. Not having control of the vehicle when moving off
  10. Not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking