New figures obtained by Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks have highlighted the continuing wide differences in car driving test pass rates across Wales.
The overall pass rate in Rhyl during 2009-10 was just 38.4%, 40.2% in the now closed centre at Mold and 45.2% in Bala.
While in Llandrindod Wells it was 73.3%, 60.3% in Lampeter and 58.7% in Brecon. The Welsh average is 51.2%, according to the Driving Standards Agency.
Chris Franks, who represents South Wales Central, said: “Two years ago I obtained details of the pass rates for drivers across Wales. And it appears that little has changed. There is still a huge discrepancy between Test centres.
“While the DSA say that pass and fail rates among individual examiners are analysed, there must be an issue when pass rates vary so much – from under 40 per cent to more than 70 per cent.
“I don’t believe that learner drivers in North Wales are any worse than those in Mid or South Wales despite the figures. The position hasn’t changed in two years so there must be an issue with the difficulty of the area where drivers do their tests and perhaps a difference in the attitude between examiners.
“There are still questions to be answered and I hope the DSA will look into this further. Perhaps this is an area of government which the Assembly could have oversight of in the future.”
Chris Franks wrote to the DSA to ask for an explanation and responding Rosemary Thew, Chief Executive of the Driving Standards Agency, maintained that a meaningful comparison between Rhyl and Llandrindod Wells was not possible because four times as many tests are carrying out from the North Wales centre.
“I can assure you that our senior examiners supervise and audit our examiners regularly, and analyse individual examiner pass/fail rates to ensure there are no inconsistencies. No major issues have been identified during these checks for tests in Wales. The only criteria by which a candidate is assessed during the test is their driving,” said Rosemary Thew.
