Those learning to drive and getting ready for the driving test not only need to be fully prepared behind the wheel, but pick the date carefully too. That’s according to research by Group1 Automotive .

In addition to continuous practice, the time, day, and date you take your test may play a significant role in determining pas rate success.

The group have used data from DVSA that spans the 12-month period between July 2021 and June 30th 2022 following a Freedom of Information request.

The Luckiest Month to Take Your Driving Test

Rank

Average pass rate

Month

1

50.12%

April

2

49.78%

August

3

49.67%

July

4

49.21%

May

5

49.12%

September

6

48.75%

June

7

48.53%

October

8

48.24%

November

9

47.79%

January

10

47.72%

December

11

47.71%

March

12

45.78%

February

Despite recent news of various driving examiner strikes taking place across the country, the best month for taking the test is April. The average pass rate is 50.12%.

Examiner and test centre strikes will undoubtedly mean that time slots for tests during this month will be restricted. Considering the long waiting times following the pandemic, you’re probably more likely to get April next year.

Test slots affected by the strikes across Scotland, London, East Midlands, Wales and North-East England being told by DVSA that their tests will automatically be re-booked.

Learners are still seeing an average  16-week wait period for driving tests. This would place a booking in August which actually comes a close second t April. August has a 49.78% pass rate, whilst in third place, July holds an average pass rate of 49.67%.

May, September and June follow closely behind; meaning clearer weather and longer daylight hours could be defining factors in whether you pass or fail.

The Luckiest Day to Take Your Driving Test

Rank

Average pass rate

Day of the week

1

50.05%

Sunday

2

49.50%

Monday

3

48.74%

Tuesday

4

48.49%

Saturday

5

48.10%

Thursday

6

47.96%

Wednesday

7

47.08%

Friday

The data found that Sunday is the luckiest day to pick for a driving test. This averages a 50.05% pass rate and may, in part, be due to the fact that the roads are usually quieter.

Despite the back to school/work ambience of Mondays, it comes in a close second with an average pass rate of 49.50%.

In contrast, the unluckiest day to take your test is a Friday. It has the lowest average pass rate of the week, scoring only 47.08%.

Make my day

The saying “the early bird gets 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.

Though the difference between them is a mere 1.25%, any advantage is a must for an individual trying to get their licence.

The data also found that the afternoon of Sunday 12th September 2021 was the luckiest day for learner drivers of that year 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 – it had an average failure rate of 67.80%.

March also placed as one of the unluckiest months to take your test overall within this study.

Read a full write-up of the study here: https://www.group1auto.co.uk/news/the-luckiest-time-to-take-your-driving-test