The Luckiest Time To Take Your Driving Test

Many have been trying to shed their provisional licence and get behind the wheel. Driving tests can prove to be very stressful for learners so it’s only natural that individuals would like to make the process as easy as they can. 

Driving tests have been heavily impacted by the pandemic and have an immense backlog to work through. Learners currently have a 14 week waiting period for practical tests and in busier areas, the waiting time can average 6 months. As practical tests have gotten harder to come by, individuals have been putting in lots of effort into passing the first time.

Though getting in lots of practice lessons are important to pass your test, it seems like picking the right time slot can also help an individual pass. As such, we’ve found the luckiest times to take your driving test by analysing the 12 month period of July 2021 to June 30th 2022.

Surprisingly, we found that the month of the driving test has an effect on average pass rates.

At the top of the list with an average pass rate of 50.12% is April. August comes as a close second with 49.78% pass rate. In third place, July holds an average pass rate of 49.78%. The top three spots could be due to clearer weather conditions and longer days. 

The unluckiest months to take a driving test were found to be December (47.52%), March (47.71%) and finally, February (45.78%). Driving tests do not take place in the dark which limits a sizable amount of the day in these winter months. The rain and sleet may also hinder the learner’s ability to drive. 

Like months, the day of the week showed a difference in pass rates. The data shows that Sunday is the luckiest day to pick for a driving test, averaging a 50.05% pass rate. This can be due to the fact that the roads are usually quiet and empty - perfect for driving peacefully! 

Monday comes as a close second to the top spot. An average pass rate of 49.50% was found which can be due to most being away at work or school. Tuesday can also be a lucky day to take a driving test as it holds a 48.74% rate of passing. 

Unsurprisingly, the unluckiest day to take your test would be a Friday. It has the lowest average pass rate of the week, scoring only 47.08%. 

The saying of the early bird getting the worm might even apply to your driving licence. Data shows that the pass rate during the morning has an average of 49.18%. Meanwhile, the average for an afternoon test has a 47.93% pass rate. Rush hour typically takes place in the afternoon, creating a busy environment on roads and stressing out learners. Though the difference between them is a mere 1.25%, any advantage is a must for an individual trying to get their licence. 

Our data had found that the afternoon of Sunday 12th September 2021 was the luckiest day for learner drivers to pass with an average rate of 64.29%. Meanwhile, the afternoon of 6th March 2022 has taken the title of the unluckiest day to take the driving test as it had an average failure rate of 67.80%. 

Data retrieved from the DVSA as part of an FOI request giving a daily breakdown of the period July 2021-30th June 2022, with pass and fail rates organised looking at the difference between the morning period (before 11:59am) and the afternoon period (after 12 noon).