THE driving test pass rate in the Scottish Borders is considerably higher than the UK average according to data held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The most recent figures covering April to December 2022 show that the current pass average is 48.7%. The male average is 50.4% and female average is 46.6%.

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There are five test centres in the region and all have much higher pass rates.

The best pass rate percentage wise in the Borders is at Duns. Of the 35 males that took a test, 33 passed. (94%) 45 women took the test and 32 passed. (71%) making the Duns average 81.3%.

In Hawick, of the 85 males that took the test, 65 passed (76.5%). Of the 91 females that took the test 64 passed (70.3%) making the Hawick average 73.3%.

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At Kelso, of the 61 males that took the test, 40 passed (65.6%), Of the 72 females that took the test 56 passed (77.8%) making the Kelso average 72.2%

Peebles came next. Of the 56 males that took the test, 37 passed (66.1%), Of the 76 females that took the test 56 passed (73.7%) making the Peebles average 73.3%.

Finally at Galashiels of the 543 males that took the test 334 passed (61.5%). Of the 358 females that took the test 212 passed (59.2%), making the Galashiels pass average 60.6%.

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In total, in the Scottish Borders, 771 males took the driving test. 499 passed. (64.7%)

A total of 642 females that took the test 420 passed. (65%)

Which means of the 1,413 people who took a driving test in the Scottish Borders, 919 passed which is a total pass rate for the region of 65%, 16% higher than the national average.