The driving test pass rate for private cars was 51.3 per cent at the Altnagelvin test centre in the second quarter of 2025/26.

There were 1,001 tests conducted for private drivers between July and September at the Derry centre with 515 passes (51.3 per cent).

This was slightly below the northern average of 53 per cent.

Twenty motorcycle tests were conducted at Newbuildings over the quarter with 10 passes (50 per cent). Eighteen motor cycle tests were carried out at Altnagelvin with 18 passes (75 per cent). The average rate for the north was 72.6 per cent.

The data showed Birmingham has the second-lowest pass rates in the UK, placing ninth.

placeholder image — The data showed Birmingham has the second-lowest pass rates in the UK, placing ninth.

There were 151 Large Good Vehicle driving tests, also at Newbuildings, with 116 passes (76.8 per cent).

Thirty-two taxi driving tests were carried out with 25 passes (78.1 per cent).

And there were Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving tests at Newbuildings with 27 out of 30 (90 per cent) passing.

Miscellaneous driving tests were conducted at both Derry centres: at Newbuildings 89 out of 95 (93.7 per cent) passed; at Altnagelvin 31 out of 48 (64.6 per cent) passed.

Across all categories 563 out of 1,072 tests passed at Altnagelvin (52.5 per cent) and 276 out of 347 passed at Newbuildings (79.5 per cent). The average across the north's test centres was 57 per cent.

The figures are contained in the latest Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Driver, Vehicle, Operator, and Enforcement Statistics for Quarter 2 of 2025-26.

The publication contains summary statistical, performance, and trend information relating to the main functions of the DfI's Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) and other vehicle licensing activity.