Portsmouth vs Steeton
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Portsmouth | Steeton |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Pass Rate | 51.8% | 50.5% |
| Male Pass Rate | 52.2% | 52.7% |
| Female Pass Rate | 51.3% | 47.7% |
| Tests Conducted | 11,305 | 3,840 |
| Years of Data | 17 | 11 |
Pass Rate Trends
Portsmouth vs Steeton
Choosing between Portsmouth and Steeton for your practical driving test? This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. These two centres have very similar pass rates, so other factors may be more important in your decision.
Portsmouth has a pass rate of 51.8% from 11,305 tests, while Steeton sits at 50.5% from 3,840 tests in the latest financial year.
Detailed Analysis
Pass rates: Portsmouth leads with the higher pass rate. The gap is relatively small and could fluctuate year to year.
Test volume: Portsmouth is the busier centre with 11,305 tests per year, compared to 3,840 at Steeton. The significant volume difference means the busier centre may have longer waiting times for bookings.
Trends: Portsmouth has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.6 percentage points, while Steeton has remained relatively stable over the last three years. These opposing trends are worth monitoring, as the current gap may narrow or widen in coming years.
Gender comparison: At Portsmouth, the male pass rate is 52.2% and female is 51.3%. At Steeton, it's 52.7% male and 47.7% female.
Our Verdict
With pass rates this close (51.8% vs 50.5%), your decision should come down to practical factors: which centre is easier to get to? Which area have you practised in? Where can you get a booking sooner? Both are equally viable options.
Whichever centre you choose, thorough preparation is the single biggest factor in your result. Practice until you're consistently confident, book when you feel ready, and arrive early on the day.
Booking Tips
When choosing between these centres, consider the following practical factors:
- Availability: Portsmouth is the busier centre (11,305 vs 3,840 tests/year), which may mean longer waits for bookings. Steeton could offer more flexible scheduling.
- Best months: Portsmouth's highest pass rate month is Dec (54.9%). Steeton peaks in Jan (56.6%).
- Practice area: Book at the centre whose surrounding roads you've practised on most. Route familiarity consistently matters more than pass rate statistics.
- Cancellation checking: If your preferred centre has a long wait, consider using a cancellation checking service. Both centres may have short-notice openings that aren't visible when you first book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the higher pass rate, Portsmouth or Steeton?
Portsmouth has the higher pass rate at 51.8%, compared to 50.5% at Steeton. This is a 1.3 percentage point difference.
Which centre is busier?
Portsmouth conducts more tests (11,305 vs 3,840 per year). The quieter centre may offer more flexible booking times.
Are these pass rates trending up or down?
Portsmouth has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.6 percentage points. Steeton has remained relatively stable over the last three years. Check each centre's individual page for the full historical chart.
Should I choose a centre based on pass rate alone?
No. Pass rates reflect the overall candidate pool, not test difficulty. A centre with a lower pass rate may have more first-time or nervous candidates. Your own preparation, familiarity with the roads, and comfort level on test day are far more important than a few percentage points of difference.