WOMEN are now more successful than men at passing driving tests in Oswestry, figures suggest.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency data shows that of 103 tests taken by male drivers at Oswestry Test Centre between April and June, 61 were successful – a pass rate of 59 per cent.

Meanwhile, 63 per cent of 156 tests taken by women were passed over this period, meaning they were four percentage points better.

Figures for this period in 2020 were unavailable for Oswestry, when tests were cancelled due to lockdown restrictions.

Women had a success rate of 46 per cent during the same period in 2019 – compared to 53 per cent for men.

In the first quarter of 2018-19, men were more successful than women (52 per cent compared to 42 per cent).

Across Great Britain, 49.2 per cent of tests taken by women between April and June were passed – a higher proportion than during any similar period on record, and up from 47.1 per cent in 2020-21 as a whole.

Though the male success rate also rose, the gap between the two genders (4.7 percentage points) is now the closest it has ever been – previously peaking at 7.3 in 2018.

The RAC said it is encouraging to see the gender gap narrowing nationally, but warned "time will tell" if the trend continues as driving test numbers recover following Covid-related disruption.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: "The impact of the pandemic means we're in unusual times when it comes to driving tests, not least because there's an enormous backlog of drivers waiting to take tests and get out on the road.

"While it's encouraging that the gender driving test pass 'gap' appears to be closing, only time will tell whether this is a trend that continues as the number of people taking tests starts to return to normal."