Could You Pass Your Theory Test Today?

All drivers remember the feeling of passing their theory test and being that one step closer to getting out on the open road. But according to the Department for Transport’s latest report only 47% of provisional drivers passed the theory test over the last 12 months, down 15% in just over a decade.

With a new series of reforms made last year, the test is arguably the toughest it’s ever been, but just how many Brits would pass their theory test if they had to re-take it today? And how does the pass rate differ depending on age, gender and region?

We surveyed 2,000 people across the UK and asked them a sample 15 questions from the UK theory test to see who could answer the most questions correctly. Based on the national base pass mark of 86%, participants who answer over 13 questions correctly were judged as having passed.

The Results are In

Shockingly just 1 in 20 (5.5%) Brits passed our driving theory test, achieving a pass rate of 86% or above. Whilst this figure included non-drivers, the pass rate for full UK driving licence holders only increased by 2% to 7.8%.

Whilst critics argue that older drivers should be subject to driving test retakes, our data indicates that the older you are, the more likely you are to pass your test. In fact, over 55’s had the highest pass rate at 11%, more than double the rate of the next highest group (45-54).

People in the South West were most likely to pass with 8.2%, followed by Yorkshire with 6.7%. Northern Ireland had the worst pass rate (0%), with no-one who took the test achieving a pass rate mark.