Portsmouth vs Lee On The Solent
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Portsmouth | Lee On The Solent |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Pass Rate | 51.8% | 59.6% |
| Male Pass Rate | 52.2% | 60.4% |
| Female Pass Rate | 51.3% | 58.7% |
| Tests Conducted | 11,305 | 10,409 |
| Years of Data | 17 | 15 |
Pass Rate Trends
Portsmouth vs Lee On The Solent
Choosing between Portsmouth and Lee On The Solent for your practical driving test? This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. With a 7.8 percentage point gap between them, there is a meaningful difference in pass rates.
Portsmouth has a pass rate of 51.8% from 11,305 tests, while Lee On The Solent sits at 59.6% from 10,409 tests in the latest financial year.
Detailed Analysis
Pass rates: Lee On The Solent leads with the higher pass rate. This is a notable difference worth considering.
Test volume: Portsmouth is the busier centre with 11,305 tests per year, compared to 10,409 at Lee On The Solent. Both centres have comparable volumes.
Trends: Portsmouth has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.6 percentage points, while Lee On The Solent has declined slightly over the last three years, dropping 2.5 percentage points. These opposing trends are worth monitoring, as the current gap may narrow or widen in coming years.
Gender comparison: At Portsmouth, the male pass rate is 52.2% and female is 51.3%. At Lee On The Solent, it's 60.4% male and 58.7% female.
Our Verdict
On pass rate alone, Lee On The Solent has the edge at 59.6% compared to Portsmouth's 51.8%. However, pass rates reflect candidate cohorts as much as test difficulty. If you've done most of your lessons near Portsmouth, the familiarity with local roads may outweigh the statistical difference.
Whichever centre you choose, thorough preparation is the single biggest factor in your result. Practice until you're consistently confident, book when you feel ready, and arrive early on the day.
Booking Tips
When choosing between these centres, consider the following practical factors:
- Availability: Portsmouth is the busier centre (11,305 vs 10,409 tests/year), which may mean longer waits for bookings. Lee On The Solent could offer more flexible scheduling.
- Best months: Portsmouth's highest pass rate month is Dec (54.9%). Lee On The Solent peaks in Mar (65.4%).
- Practice area: Book at the centre whose surrounding roads you've practised on most. Route familiarity consistently matters more than pass rate statistics.
- Cancellation checking: If your preferred centre has a long wait, consider using a cancellation checking service. Both centres may have short-notice openings that aren't visible when you first book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the higher pass rate, Portsmouth or Lee On The Solent?
Lee On The Solent has the higher pass rate at 59.6%, compared to 51.8% at Portsmouth. This is a 7.8 percentage point difference.
Which centre is busier?
Portsmouth conducts more tests (11,305 vs 10,409 per year). The quieter centre may offer more flexible booking times.
Are these pass rates trending up or down?
Portsmouth has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.6 percentage points. Lee On The Solent has declined slightly over the last three years, dropping 2.5 percentage points. Check each centre's individual page for the full historical chart.
Should I choose a centre based on pass rate alone?
No. Pass rates reflect the overall candidate pool, not test difficulty. A centre with a lower pass rate may have more first-time or nervous candidates. Your own preparation, familiarity with the roads, and comfort level on test day are far more important than a few percentage points of difference.