ALL three of Bradford's driving test centres saw an increased percentage of learner drivers passing their tests, but much fewer tests were taken.

It's believed quieter roads and "incredibly motivated" learners contributed to a higher percentage of drivers passing their test across the district.

However, there was a significant drop in the number of people sitting their practical tests due to the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At Thornbury and Heaton test centres the pass rate was 49 per cent in the financial year 2020/21, up from 46 per cent and 42 per cent the previous year, respectively.

At Steeton test centre the pass rate was 52 per cent, up from 46 per cent.

At Thornbury there were 2,384 tests last year, less than half than took place the year before, with over 2,700 cancelled due to the pandemic.

At Heaton, just 1,601 driving tests took place, compared to 7,552 in 2019-20, with 3,041 cancelled, while in Steeton only 1,098 driving tests went ahead, down from 3,323 a year earlier, and 1,392 were cancelled.

At Thornbury and Heaton, 50 per cent of people passed their test at the first time asking, below the national average of 51 per cent, while in Steeton the figure was 55 per cent.

Across Great Britain a record 50 per cent of tests in 2020-21 resulted in a pass, with the figure even reaching 59 per cent between January and March this year.

Meanwhile, the number of tests dropped to 437,000 in 2020-21, from 1.6 million the previous year.

Robert Cowell, interim managing director of AA Driving School, said: “The slight increase in the driving test pass rate for the first quarter of this year could be down to a number of things including quieter roads during tests.

"In addition, during lockdowns, tests were only allowed for key workers who needed to drive for their job, this probably also goes some way to explaining the higher pass rate during these months as the candidates would have been incredibly motivated to pass."

He added demand for driving tests is now "sky-high" due to the number of cancellations last year, adding many people are facing a frustrating wait.

Practical tests resumed in April, but learners face a waiting time of more than three months to book a test with 470,000 already pencilled in across Great Britain, the DVSA said.

The body has launched a recruitment campaign for 300 examiners while tests are being done seven days a week to allow 20,000 to go ahead every month.

Loveday Ryder, DVSA chief executive, said: "All candidates are assessed to the same level and the result of their test is entirely dependent on their performance on the day."