Ireland Driving Test Pass Rates 2026
Compare RSA pass rates across 57 test centres. Averaging those 57 centres gives 54.5%, ranging from 74.0% (Clifden) to 42.9% (Waterford).
How to read the 54.5% figure, and where these numbers come from
It is an average of centres, not a national pass rate. We take each centre's published rate and average them. Centres are not weighted by how many tests they actually run, so a small regional centre counts the same as a busy metropolitan one.
Where the figures come from. Every centre below uses the same source:
- Central Statistics Office ROA30 (RSA data), CC BY 4.0, combined by AUDrive: 57 centres, averaging 54.5% (康诺特省, 伦斯特省, 芒斯特省, 阿尔斯特省)
All centres here come from the same source, so they are comparable with each other.
Pass rate definitions differ between providers and between countries, particularly in how tests that are stopped before they finish are counted. That single choice can move a pass rate by twenty points, so figures are not directly comparable across borders.
Top 10 Easiest Centres
| # | Centre | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Clifden
|
74.0% |
| 2 |
Thurles
|
68.0% |
| 3 |
Newcastle West
|
67.2% |
| 4 |
Loughrea
|
65.6% |
| 5 |
Monaghan
|
62.2% |
| 6 |
Carrick on Shannon
|
61.9% |
| 7 |
Tuam
|
61.1% |
| 8 |
Buncrana
|
61.1% |
| 9 |
Donegal
|
60.2% |
| 10 |
Kilrush
|
59.8% |
Top 10 Hardest Centres
| # | Centre | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Waterford
|
42.9% |
| 2 |
Carlow
|
43.7% |
| 3 |
Mulhuddart
|
44.7% |
| 4 |
Mulhuddart Maple House
|
45.5% |
| 5 |
Finglas
|
45.5% |
| 6 |
Wexford
|
46.4% |
| 7 |
Athlone
|
46.5% |
| 8 |
Dun Laoghaire/Deansgrange
|
47.0% |
| 9 |
Carlow Talbot Hotel
|
47.6% |
| 10 |
Wicklow
|
47.8% |
All Centres by Region
| Centre | Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| Clifden | 74.0% |
| Loughrea | 65.6% |
| Carrick on Shannon | 61.9% |
| Tuam | 61.1% |
| Ballina-ie | 56.7% |
| Castlebar | 56.7% |
| Roscommon | 56.0% |
| Galway - Clybaun | 55.7% |
| Galway (Carnmore) | 55.7% |
| Sligo | 52.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average driving test pass rate in Ireland?
Averaging the published rate of each of the 57 Ireland test centres gives 54.5%. That is a plain average of centres, not a national pass rate: it does not weight centres by how many tests they run. Pass rates vary significantly between centres: the highest is 74.0% at Clifden and the lowest is 42.9% at Waterford.
Which is the easiest driving test centre in Ireland?
Based on the latest RSA data, Clifden has the highest pass rate at 74.0%. However, choosing a centre you're familiar with often matters more than raw statistics.
How can I improve my chances of passing the driving test?
Practice on real test routes at your chosen centre, familiarise yourself with local road conditions and common test areas, and ensure you're comfortable with all manoeuvres. AUDrive provides mapped test routes for centres across Ireland.
Data source: Central Statistics Office ROA30 (RSA data), CC BY 4.0, combined by AUDrive, 2026 data (康诺特省, 伦斯特省, 芒斯特省, 阿尔斯特省): 57 centres. Last updated: 2026.
Car (category B) tests delivered from October 2025 to September 2026; AUDrive combined the monthly figures into one rate per centre, weighted by tests delivered. Source: Road Safety Authority (RSA) statistics, CSO PxStat table ROA30, © RSA. https://data.cso.ie/table/ROA30, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Pass rates vary by season, examiner, and conditions. Use as a general guide only.