The hardest and best places to pass a driving test in North East

It comes as the DVSA announced that from March 31, learners will only be able to make up to two changes to their original driving test booking, including changing date, time or location.

Data, which Confused.com has published, shows that the area with the most driving test failures is Gateshead, which has the lowest success rate at 38.6 per cent.

On the other hand, Hexham has the highest pass rate at 58.9 per cent.

Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com, said: “New rules are coming in from March 31 that limit how often learner drivers can change their test and where they can move it to.

“This is another big shift for learners trying to get on the roads.

“Allowing only two changes and learners only being able to move their original test booking within the local area could make things even harder for learners who live in areas with historically low pass rates.

“For learners in lower-performing areas, having less flexibility to move their test after waiting so long could mean more retakes, more waiting and higher overall costs.

“With these changes in mind, it’s more important than ever for learners to think before they book their test.

“Plan carefully, only take the test when really prepared and understand how local test centres perform before booking in.”

Full list of North East pass rates:

• Gateshead – 38.6 per cent
• Sunderland – 46.7 per cent
• Durham – 47.8 per cent
• Blyth – 48.5 per cent
• Middlesbrough – 50 per cent
• Hartlepool – 50.1 per cent
• Darlington – 51.5 per cent
• Hexham – 58.9 per cent