To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the pass rate for learner drivers (i) since March 2020; and (ii) for the same period in each of the past two years.

Learner driver pass rates are published on the Department’s website. The latest reporting of these figures for Q1 2020/21 can be accessed via the link below.

https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/driver-vehicle-agency-activity-statistics

Within the Driver Practical Testing section of the latest Q1 report, Table 4.5 details pass rates by test category for each quarter from 2008/09 to the end of June 2020. Due to Covid-19, all driver testing was suspended during April to June, 2020. The pass rates for private cars in this quarter for the previous two years, were 54.4% (2019/20) and 54.3% (2018/19) respectively.

Driver testing figures are within scope of National Statistics reporting, and as such they are released to the public by NISRA statisticians in accordance with protocols outlined in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The next publication of driver testing statistics for the quarter ending 30 September 2020 will be issued on 25 November 2020.