BRADFORD is among the worst places to learn to drive according to a new study analysing DVLA data.

The research has found that Bradford has just a 42.9 per cent pass rate on the theory test, making it the worst in the country.

That figure falls around 6.5 per cent short of the national average and almost 4 per cent lower than Doncaster, which has the second worst pass rate in the region.

Men in Bradford have the lowest rate at just 41.6 per cent, only beaten by males in Kings Lynn - 41.5 per cent - while women in the city claim a pass rate of 44.3 per cent the second worst only to Lowestoft, Suffolk.

And in the practical test, learners in Bradford claim a pass rate of 40.8 per cent, around six per cent lower than the national average.

The lowest practical test pass rate in Yorkshire belongs to those learning in Leeds, who pass just 37.2 per cent of practical tests.

Ayub Khan, of iDrive Bradford, described the test as "crucially important".

He said: "It's part and parcel of driving.

"If you don't understand what you are doing, you will never be able to apply it."

Mr Khan added: "Most people are ill prepared when they go for a theory test, they have no idea."

He said incomplete theory test apps and language barriers can have an impact, as well as people just scanning the questions and a failure to practice.

Mr Khan said a structured training centre for the theory test in Bradford could help, but says he works with pupils and keeps tabs on their knowledge.

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Matthew Miller, managing director of Kenway Miller Miller Solicitors, which carried out the research, said, “Almost two thirds of Yorkshire theory test centres are falling below the national average, with Bradford learners the worst.

“Learning stopping distances, road signs and identifying hazards is so important in preventing accidents and it looks as though learners in Yorkshire really need to up their game.”

The theory test turned 20 years old in 2016 and includes multiple choice questions, plus a video test about spotting hazards on the road.

The Government says questions on road and traffic signs, safety margins and rules of the road are the most incorrectly answered.

And it says the hazard perception test has been shown to reduce non-low-speed accidents by an estimated 11 per cent for novice drivers in their first year of driving.

Lesley Young, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Chief Driving Examiner, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.

“It’s essential that all drivers demonstrate they have the right skills, knowledge and attitude to drive safely. The driver testing and training regime tests candidates’ ability to drive safely and responsibly as well as making sure they know the theory behind safe driving.

“All candidates are assessed to the same level and the result of their test is entirely dependent on their performance on the day.”