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| Driving tests 'harder' in north | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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%. | 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 | 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. | 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%. | 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. | 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. | "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 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." | "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. | 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." | "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. | 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 practise and access to family vehicles etc. | 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 practise and access to family vehicles etc. |
| "It would be highly improbable that every test centre would return the same pass rate country-wide." | "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. | 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. | 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." | "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. | 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." | 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." |