When learning to drive should you take area pass rates into consideration?

SharpshooterTom

So I'm finally learning to drive at 33. I was looking at the pass rates for the different areas where I live in Northern Ireland and saw this:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48937489

Downpatrick - 70.2%
Lisburn - 64.2%
Craigavon - 61.9%
Omagh - 61.1%
Ballymena - 60.4%
Coleraine - 58.8%
Armagh - 58.3%
Newtownards - 56.6%
Newry - 56.3%
Cookstown - 54.5%
Larne - 53.2%
Enniskillen - 52.1%
Belfast (Dill Road) - 49.2%
Belfast (Balmoral) - 47.4%
Derry (altnagelvin) - 44.6%

The average for the province is 55% which is similar the Republic AFAIK.

I was originally planning to learning to drive in Belfast but as you can see both Northern Ireland's two main cities/urban areas have poor pass rates, both below 50%, so I was thinking about doing it in a nearby smaller town (e.g. Lisburn). Is it wise to specifically choose an area by its pass rate? Do people actually do this? Because wherever I take lessons and learn to drive is where I'm going to have my test. I wouldn't mind doing it in Belfast but the pass rates are a bit offputting.

zepman

I passed my test in April this year, just a couple of months before my 34th birthday. My test was in Finglas, Dublin. I checked the pass rate for the centre just now; it's about 45%. I hadn't even cared about it when I was booking my test. Just chose the one nearest to where I worked.

Because of the proximity, I was able to get some practice in the surrounding areas (with a mate from work as my sponsor) a couple of times every week, without staying away from work for too long. Along with lessons, these helped me get test-ready in only a couple of months and I passed.

So I wouldn't worry about the pass rates at the moment. If you focus on the learning, you can do the test at any test centre and pass.

MascotDec85

The ADI you choose is far more important

Galbin

It depends on whether you live near the area with the better pass rates. If you can practice there regularly I would take the test there. Otherwise, I'd go with your local area.

Dravokivich

You're the one doing the test. Not the test centre.