Equality in the driving test

Organisations: TRL on behalf of DVSA

Date of Publication: July 2025

Uploaded to Knowledge Centre: 19 August 2025

Male candidates have consistently achieved a higher pass rate on the Category B (car) practical driving test in GB than female candidates. Similarly, female candidates have passed the theory component of the test at a higher rate than males.

This study took a mixed methods approach to understanding these and other inequalities in the car driving test, with the goal of improving test fairness. Existing DVSA data was analysed, a short literature review was undertaken, and interviews were held with examiners, instructors, learners and recent test passers.

Download the report from the TRL website:

https://www.trl.co.uk/publications/equality-in-the-driving-test