Analysis of where HGV driver candidates are most likely to pass their test found Ipswich came out on top, with a pass rate of more than 80%.

Conversely, Birmingham and Wolverhampton were found to have the lowest in the UK with only 40.1% and 43.4% of drivers passing their tests respectively, according to the research conducted by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts (NVC).

From 2022 to 2023, the test centre in Yeading, London, conducted the most LGV driving tests, with 4,708 tests.

NVC said Featherstone in West Yorkshire ranked as the second most popular location, with 4,581 tests. Atherton in Manchester was in the top three most popular, with 4,250 LGV driving tests.

However, despite its popularity, Featherstone was found to have a pass rate of less than half, at 44.6%.

NVC said CRH Transport Training in Birmingham had the lowest pass rate and Wolverhampton’s GTG (West Midlands) had the second lowest.

But Ipswich and Kilmarnock had the highest, with 1,551 passes out of 1,920 tests (80.1%) in the Suffolk town and 836 out of 1,101 (75.9%) in the East Ayrshire town.

NVC said that amid a continuing shortage of qualified HGV drivers – which peaked in 2021 but still remains an issue – its analysis showed that candidates should perhaps choose their exam location carefully.

“There is a shortage of HGV drivers in the UK,” it said.

“This shortage is also predicted to be a larger problem in the coming years, with 55% of HGV drivers aged 50 to 65, meaning most drivers will retire in the coming decade.

“Less than 2% of HGV drivers are under 25, which will put increased pressure on UK businesses in the coming years as the driver shortage is likely to worsen.”

CRH and GTG were approached for comment.

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