Driving tests 'harder' in north

The DSA said the average pass rate for Wales is 49%

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is being asked by an AM why it appears "harder" to pass tests in north Wales than other parts of the country.

Chris Franks, who represents South Wales Central, said figures from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) showed "significant" variations in pass rates.

The pass rate in Rhyl, Denbighshire, is 35%, compared to 63% in Lampeter, Ceredigion. Waiting times also vary.

The DSA said social and economic factors could influence pass rates.

According to DSA figures, the average pass rate for Wales is 49% - 5% more than in England.

In 2007-2008, the pass rate for Mold, Flintshire, was 38%, in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, it was 39% and in Rhyl as low as 35%. However, the pass rates in Holyhead and Pwllheli are above 50%.

DRIVING TEST PASS RATES Aberystwyth 50% 6 Bala 37.9% 2 Bangor 45.87% Barry 46.6% Cardiff 53% Cardigan 58% 3 Colwyn Bay 39% 1 Holyhead 50.75% Llandrindod Wells 68.8% Merthyr 53% 5 Mold 38.64% Pontypridd 50.85% 7 Pwllheli 54.28% 4 Rhyl 35% 2007-2008 pass rates from selected driving test centres

Further south in Ceredigion, the figure was 63% in Lampeter and 54% in Aberystwyth, while Cardigan recorded a 58% pass rate.

In Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, the pass rates topped 50%.

Plaid Cymru AM Mr Franks said: "The figures from the DSA show a considerable discrepancy between the pass rates for drivers in parts of Wales.

"It does appear much harder to pass a driving test in north Wales than, for instance, in parts of west Wales.

"I will be writing to the DSA to find out if there are any local reasons for such a significant difference in pass rates across Wales.

"I'm sure learner drivers would expect to be treated the same wherever they take their test."

He added: "Waiting times for driving tests also vary considerably which might suggest that there are not enough examiners in some areas.

"For instance, there is a wait of three months in Llanelli but half that time in Cardiff or Newport."

A DSA spokeswoman said examiners were highly trained but said that socio-economic factors could influence pass rates.

She said: "The wealthier the town/area, the more likely people are able to invest more money on lessons and will have more opportunities for private practice and access to family vehicles etc.

"It would be highly improbable that every test centre would return the same pass rate country-wide."

She said that all the centres in the areas highlighted by Mr Franks were within the DSA target of nine weeks for waiting times.

Don Bartley, who runs Acorn School of Motoring in Mold, said: "Every instructor around here will tell you that the pass rate is very low and we're all worried about it.

"None of us know the reason why but for example this morning I took a girl for a test in Chester because she'd failed twice in Mold and she sailed through."

Mr Bartley also said that the waiting list was higher in Mold, which he believed was due to a closure of a test centre in Wrexham last year.

Stella Carrington, of the Independent Driving Centre in Rhyl, said: "Rhyl's also been classed a deprived area - I don't know whether that might have something to do with it."