Poole vs Yeovil
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Poole | Yeovil |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Pass Rate | 48.4% | 59.7% |
| Male Pass Rate | 50.3% | 61.0% |
| Female Pass Rate | 46.5% | 58.1% |
| Tests Conducted | 9,639 | 5,754 |
| Years of Data | 8 | 17 |
Pass Rate Trends
Poole vs Yeovil
Choosing between Poole and Yeovil for your practical driving test? This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. With a 11.3 percentage point gap between them, there is a meaningful difference in pass rates.
Poole has a pass rate of 48.4% from 9,639 tests, while Yeovil sits at 59.7% from 5,754 tests in the latest financial year.
Detailed Analysis
Pass rates: Yeovil leads with the higher pass rate. This is a substantial gap that suggests genuinely different testing conditions or candidate profiles.
Test volume: Poole is the busier centre with 9,639 tests per year, compared to 5,754 at Yeovil. Both centres have comparable volumes.
Trends: Poole has remained relatively stable over the last three years, while Yeovil has remained relatively stable over the last three years.
Gender comparison: At Poole, the male pass rate is 50.3% and female is 46.5%. At Yeovil, it's 61.0% male and 58.1% female.
Our Verdict
On pass rate alone, Yeovil has the edge at 59.7% compared to Poole's 48.4%. However, pass rates reflect candidate cohorts as much as test difficulty. If you've done most of your lessons near Poole, 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: Poole is the busier centre (9,639 vs 5,754 tests/year), which may mean longer waits for bookings. Yeovil could offer more flexible scheduling.
- Best months: Poole's highest pass rate month is Jul (50.6%). Yeovil peaks in May (62.9%).
- 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, Poole or Yeovil?
Yeovil has the higher pass rate at 59.7%, compared to 48.4% at Poole. This is a 11.3 percentage point difference.
Which centre is busier?
Poole conducts more tests (9,639 vs 5,754 per year). The quieter centre may offer more flexible booking times.
Are these pass rates trending up or down?
Poole has remained relatively stable over the last three years. Yeovil has remained relatively stable over the last three years. 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.