The Hardest UK Cities & Test Centres to Pass Your Driving Test

Passing your driving test can be tough - and the numbers prove it. The latest Government data shows that less than half of learners pass on their first try, with the national first-time pass rate sitting at just 48%.

To understand where learners face the biggest hurdles, EzLicence analysed five years of DVSA driving test data. The results pinpoint the cities, test centres, and manoeuvres that most often lead to faults — offering valuable insights for learners preparing for their big day.

The 10 Hardest Cities to Pass Your Driving Test

Birmingham takes the crown as the hardest city to pass your driving test, with over 250,000 faults recorded since 2020. The most common faults include poor observation at junctions (19% of all faults), failing to check mirrors when changing direction (14%), and lack of steering control (11%). Garretts Green test centre was the toughest in the city, with 63,387 faults!

London ranked second, with more than 211,000 faults across the capital’s many test centers. Once again, poor observation at junctions was the top issue (23%), followed by difficulties with steering control (14%) and mirror use when changing direction (13%). Goodmayes proved the hardest test centre in London, with a massive 106,468 faults recorded.

Leicester claims third place with 113,907 faults. Like other cities, observation at junctions was a common issue (20%), along with failing to use mirrors when changing direction (18%) and turning right at junctions (11%). Wigston test centre was the most difficult in the area, with over 61,000 faults on record.

In Liverpool, over 110,000 faults were recorded. The biggest mistakes were observation at junctions (18%), mirror use when changing direction (14%), and turning right at junctions (14%). Norris Green test centre stands out as the toughest, with 62,530 faults, ranking as the third hardest centre in the UK.

Glasgow rounds out the top five toughest cities with over 100,000 faults over the past five years. Common mistakes include observation at junctions (22%), using mirrors to change direction (15%), and turning right at junctions (12%). Anniesland test centre was the hardest to pass, with 16,738 faults recorded.

In Manchester, 98,111 faults were recorded since 2020. The main issue? Using mirrors to change direction (18%), followed by poor observation at junctions (13%). West Didsbury emerges as the most difficult test centre in Manchester, with 54,494 faults recorded.

Leeds takes seventh place with 80,329 faults, with poor observation at junctions again making up the largest portion (19%). Mirror use (17%) and responding to traffic lights (10%) were other common issues. Horsworth test centre is the toughest in the area, with 23,545 faults.

Sheffield comes in eighth with 74,121 faults. Observation at junctions was the most common fault (17%), followed by issues with speed control (11.%) and mirror use when changing direction (11%). Handsworth test centre is the hardest in Sheffield, recording 40,060.

Nottingham also ranks high, with 63,665 faults recorded since 2020. Mirror use when changing direction was the biggest issue (18%), along with poor observation at junctions (14%) and failing to respond to traffic signs correctly (12%). Colwick is the hardest test centre, with 35,645 faults.

Finally, Wolverhampton rounds off the top ten hardest cities to pass a driving test, with 58,128 faults. As with many of the other cities, observation at junctions was the most common mistake (20%), followed by mirror use (18%) and turning right at junctions safely (12%). 

Which London Borough Is the Hardest to Pass Your Driving Test?

When it comes to passing a driving test in London, some boroughs are definitely tougher than others. 

Merton takes the top spot, with over 103,000 faults recorded. This borough is home to the notoriously tricky Morden test centre, which alone accounted for over half of those faults.

Bexley comes second, with 78,467 total faults across areas like Sidcup, Erith, and Belvedere, making it another difficult area for learner drivers. Haringey follows with 67,150 faults, driven by challenges in test centres such as Tottenham and Wood Green.

Barnet, in fourth place with 66,622 faults, sees many mistakes at both the Barnet and Mill Hill centres. Ealing ranks fifth with 62,896 faults, likely influenced by its mix of busy traffic zones and emission-restricted areas.

Waltham Forest places sixth, with nearly 58,000 faults, followed by Bromley and Harrow, which each logged over 55,000. Finally, Hillingdon and Hounslow complete the top 10, both recording just under 50,000 faults. 

Across all boroughs, common challenges include navigating heavy traffic, complex road layouts, and observation issues at junctions.

If you're planning to take your test in London, it's important to be aware of the tough areas and be ready to face the challenges head-on!

The UK’s Top 5 Hardest Test Centres 

We’ve seen the toughest cities in the UK, but it’s not just about the location; individual test centres within these cities have their unique challenges. 

Let’s dive deeper into the specific centres where learners are most likely to face trouble.

 

 

Goodmayes in London tops the list as the most difficult test centre in the UK, with a staggering 106,468 faults, with over 13,000 of them for poor junction observation alone. Whether it’s complex routes or test-day nerves, Goodmayes leads the list by a wide margin.

Garretts Green in Birmingham isn’t far behind, with 63,387 faults over five years. Top slip-ups? Failing to check mirrors when changing direction (4,215), misjudging road markings (3,716), and, again, observation at junctions (8,365).

Liverpool’s Norris Green ranks third, with 6,375 faults for junction observation driving up the centre’s total.

Next is Wigston in Leicester, with over 61,000 faults. Junction observation (8,401), traffic lights (3,510), and road markings (3,289) all proved tricky.

Rounding out the top five is Morden in London. With common issues including missed junction checks (5,545), failure to respond to signs (5,121), and poor mirror use (4,430), this centre proves just as tough as its capital city location suggests.

The 5 Most Challenging Manoeuvres For Learner Drivers

The most common reasons learners fail their driving tests stem from just a few key manoeuvres. 

 

Interestingly, the data revealed that almost 12% of UK drivers have struggled with junctions, with over 768,000 being marked down due to not properly observing and assessing their surroundings when approaching or navigating adjoining roads. 

Failing to check mirrors before turning or changing lanes is the second most common mistake that often catches drivers out, accounting for 9% of overall faults. This highlights the importance of regularly checking mirrors throughout the examination before signalling or performing a manoeuvre.  

Moving off safely is the third most common reason UK drivers fail their driving test, accounting for 5% of all faults. To avoid this mistake, drivers should always check their mirrors, signal, and maintain proper control of the vehicle before moving off.

Another problem many drivers face with junctions is turning right, which can prove challenging as it requires crossing oncoming traffic. Since 2020, it has led to over 320,000 errors or 4.9% of all faults. To avoid this, learners should position the car correctly and check mirrors or blind spots before turning.

Control over steering is a massive issue, accounting for 4.8% of all faults. To maintain safety on the roads, full control of the steering wheel is essential for avoiding potential accidents. 

Hardest Manoeuvres By Age

While specific manoeuvres present challenges across the board, age also plays a significant role in learners' mistakes. 

Younger Drivers (Aged 16–29)

For those under 30, poor observation at junctions is by far the most common reason for test failure. In fact, drivers aged 16–20 alone were responsible for 330,169 faults in this category. Mirror use is another weak spot, with 221,597 mirror-related faults among the youngest group. Steering control also caused problems, leading to 123,994 faults.

Young learners should focus on building awareness at junctions, checking all directions and mirrors before proceeding is crucial.

Middle-Aged Drivers (30–39)

Observation at junctions continues to be the top issue, with over 144,000 faults in this age group. While the numbers drop slightly compared to younger drivers, this remains a key area to improve.

Older Drivers (40+)

For learners aged 40 and above, the most common fault shifts to mirror usage when changing direction. Drivers in this age range recorded over 71,000 mirror-related faults, suggesting that this habit can weaken over time if not reinforced.
Interestingly, junction observation still appears as a secondary issue, particularly for those in their 50s and 60s, with 13,381 and 2,455 faults respectively.

These patterns highlight how different age groups face different challenges. For younger learners, developing strong observation and awareness at junctions is essential. 

For older learners, getting into a consistent mirror-checking routine, before turning, changing lanes, or overtaking, is key to safer, more confident driving.

By focusing on these habits, learners of all ages can focus their preparation and develop safer, more confident driving habits. 

Expert Tips to Boost Your Chances of Passing Your Test

Our expert instructors share their top tips to help you prepare, build confidence, and pass your test on the first attempt.

1. Understand the Test Format
   One of the most common challenges learners face on test day is not fully understanding the exam’s format. This is a crucial part of preparation, and to boost confidence, our instructors recommend taking mock exams before the real test. This helps learners familiarise themselves with the structure and flow of the test, allowing them to focus on any weak areas and be better prepared for what to expect.
    
2. Target Difficult Manoeuvres
   As test day nears, it’s important for learners to keep practising as much as possible. This could mean adding extra lessons with an instructor or practising under supervision in a family member’s car. 
   
   Our instructors recommend focusing on tricky manoeuvres like parallel parking and pulling over on the right. By reviewing the most common faults, learners can target specific areas for improvement and build confidence before the big day.
    
3. Create Healthy Driving Habits
   Regularly checking mirrors, maintaining a safe speed, and keeping full control of the vehicle are simple yet essential habits to adopt. Instructors focus on embedding these healthy habits in learners, making safe driving second nature and helping avoid both minor and major faults.
   
   Remember, you can still pass your test with up to 15 minor mistakes. If you make an error, don’t let it throw you off and stay focused. With consistent practice and good driving habits, learners can pass their tests with minimal faults.

 

Methodology 

Data was sourced via Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, covering Common Reasons for Driving Test Failures, Failure Reasons by Location, and Failure Reasons by Age Group.

Data correct as of May 2025. 

About EzLicence

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