Driving test pass rate ‘very high’ in Bolton – and one group think they know why

Bolton: Exciting news for learner drivers! The latest driving test results are out, and they’re looking great.

In Bolton, the pass rate is way above the national average. A local motoring group is feeling pretty proud about it.

This year, 58.6% of driving tests in Bolton ended with a pass, which is up from 54.6% last year. The UK average? Just 48.5%.

Steve Peary, who’s the vice chairman of the Bolton and District Group of Advanced Motorists, shared some thoughts. He mentioned that they help drivers who have already passed their tests to improve their skills.

He pointed out that many driving lessons focus on just operating the car, but there’s more to it, like observation and handling tricky situations.

Even though they work with drivers post-test, Steve feels they deserve some credit. He explained that driving habits often come from parents. If parents have taken their course, their kids are statistically less likely to have accidents.

Steve doesn’t think the high pass rate is due to an easy test route. He noted that Bolton has a mix of dual carriageways, busy streets, and country lanes.

He’s surprised that despite this variety, people are still passing more easily here than in other areas. For example, Blackburn with Darwen has a pass rate of 48.4%, and Bury is even lower at 37.7%.