Over half of learner drivers who took the driving test last year passed, but the chances of success differ significantly between centres across the country. Figures obtained from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) by Irish Country Living show that pass rates varied from 42% to 69% in 2013, with a national average of 52%.

If you want to ditch the L plates, the centre with the highest amount of successful tests were Tuam and Sligo, both with pass rates of 69% last year. Next was Ennis at 68% and Roscommon and Birr at 66%.

The centre with the lowest amount of passes was Rathgar in Dublin, where only 42% of learner drivers left with a full licence in 2013. Some 43% passed the test in Carlow last year, while there was a success rate of 44% in Naas and Tallaght.

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A spokesperson from the RSA said there are a number of reasons for these discrepancies, including the number of candidates being tested in the centre.

“Another factor is the preparedness of candidates, the amount of experience they have had and whether or not they have taken tuition. The quality of that tuition also plays a role,” she added.

“Furthermore the variations, between pass/fail rates in centres, mirrors the situation in both [Britain] and Northern Ireland.

“The RSA gives a high level of priority to ensuring that there is uniformity of standards at all driving test centres, to ensure that procedures are in place regardless of location, test routes, or weather conditions,” she said.

According to figures obtained by Irish Country Living, pass rates across the centres don’t fluctuate much on an annual basis with the exception of a few. Pass rates in Athlone fell from 68% in 2012 to 58% last year. In Kilrush, pass rates fell from 58% in 2012 to 48% in 2013. Pass rates in Carlow dropped from 51% to 43%.

A total of 133,250 tests were carried out last year. Fifty-five per cent of men passed, compared with 48% of women.