The failure rate among drivers doing their first tests fluctuate widely across Britain. The worst success rate is at Hermon Hill test centre in Wanstead, east London, where 71.5 per cent fail. Wood Green 73% fail. Barnet 68% fail In Enfield only 58% fail.But in Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands nearly 80 per cent of drivers pass first time – well above the national average of 46 per cent, ­according to the Department of Transport.

An East End instructor ­believes tricky test routes and aggressive ­driving makes Wanstead the toughest. Last year 3,453 out of 4,826 failed at the first attempt.

“If you are properly prepared your test should be no problem but some of our learners are from poorer areas and can’t afford as many lessons as wealthier learners.”

Challenges

Other areas with high failure rates include Leeds (67.3 per cent), Bradford (70.2 per cent) and Brentwood, Essex (67.3 per cent).

Former examiner Steve Garrod, of the Driving Instructors Association, said: “In more affluent areas people have more access to cars and tend to have more time and money to learn.

“We don’t want drivers looking at the tables thinking ‘I’ll just head for such a place to do my test because loads of people pass there.’

“There are different driving ­challenges all over the country.”