MEN are more successful at passing their driving tests in Hampshire than women, according to 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.

Across that period at the Maybush test centre in Southampton carried out 7,436 tests - 3,893 for women and 3,543 for men.

There were 3,475 passes, at a rate of 46.7 per cent compared to the national average of 46 per cent.

Of those, who recorded their gender, 50 per cent of men managed to pass, while 43.7 per cent of women were successful

At the other city test centre Forest Hills, in Bitterne, carried out 5,509 tests - 2,834 for women and 2,675 for men.

There were 2,543 passes, at a rate of 46.2 per cent. Of those, who recorded their gender, 49.4 per cent were men and 43.1 per cent women.

At the Winchester test centre 3,292 tests - 1,744 for women and 1,548 for men – were carried out.

There were 1,689 passes, at a rate of 51.3 per cent. That’s higher than Great Britain’s average of 46 - of those 53.4 per cent were men.

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, and explain how to test the brakes, clean the windscreen and demist windows while driving.

Rookie drivers do seem to be finding it harder. In March 2018 the pass rate was 43.9 per cent, compared with a pass rate of 47.6 per cent in April 2017, under the old test.

The data also shows that 48 per cent of people taking their test for the first time managed to pass, with 10 learners succeeding first time with no minor faults. Drivers taking the test can pass with up to 15 minor faults.

DVSA deputy chief driving examiner, Gordon Witherspoon, said: “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.”