MEN are more successful at passing their driving tests at Northwich 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 show that, between April 2017 and March 2018, 54.5% of men who attempted the practical test managed to pass, while 46.3% of women were successful.

Across that period Northwich test centre carried out 3,685 tests - 1,978 for women and 1,707 for men.

There were 1,845 passes, at a rate of 50.1%. That's higher than Great Britain's average of 46%.

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 The Pavilion, in Birmingham, less than a third were successful, making it the toughest.

On December 4 last year the driving test was changed, with many observers saying the new test is tougher than the old one.

Learners now must navigate for 20 minutes using a sat-nav, explain how to test the brakes, clean the windscreen and demist their windows while driving.

However the new test does not seem to have bothered rookie drivers.

In April 2017, under the old test, the pass rate was 54.3%, less than the rate in March 2018, in the new test.

The data also shows that 49% of people taking their test for the first time managed to pass, with six learners succeeding first time with no minor faults.

Drivers taking the test can pass with up to 15 minor faults, such as not checking your mirror at the right time.

Gordon Witherspoon, DVSA deputy chief driving examiner, said: "DVSA's priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.

"All candidates are assessed to the same level and the result of their test is entirely dependent on their performance on the day.

"We expect candidates and instructors to become more familiar with the new test and well continue to monitor the impact of the changes."