MEN are more successful at passing their driving tests at the Bala test centre than women, according to the latest figures.

A study of insurance deals shows that men often pay higher premiums than women as they have more accidents, although pricing differently based on gender was banned by the EU in 2012.

However they appear to be better drivers, at least at the start, than women.

Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) show that between April and September 2017, 52.7 per cent of men who attempted the practical test managed to pass, while 47.4 per cent of women were successful.

Across that period Bala test centre carried out 321 tests – 171 for women and 150 for men. There were 160 passes, at a rate of 49.8 per cent. That’s higher than Great Britain’s average of 47 per cent.

The test centre with the highest pass rate was Golspie, in the Scottish Highlands, where more than three quarters of learners were awarded their licences, while in Erith, south east London, less than a third were successful, making it the toughest.

And driving tests are likely to get more difficult to pass.These statistics are from before the test was changed on 4 December last year, with many observers saying the reformed test is tougher than the old one. Learners now must navigate for 20 minutes using a sat-nav, and explain how to test the brakes, clean the windscreen and demist windows while driving.

DVSA chief driving examiner, Lesley Young said: “All candidates are assessed to the same level and the result of their test is entirely dependent on their performance on the day.”