53.0% of Category B driving tests were passed nationally in June 2026. The figure is based on 22,791 tests delivered. County rates ranged from 37.5% to 68.8%, but those comparisons need to be read alongside the number of tests in each county.
Pass-rate tables attract a lot of attention because learners naturally want to know where they have the best chance. The figures are useful, but they do not prove that one county or test centre is “easy” and another is “hard”. They record the results achieved by a particular group of candidates during a particular month.
The latest monthly CSO dataset reports current results by county and test category. This page uses Category B, which covers cars and light vans. It keeps the number of tests beside every rate because a percentage based on 105 tests should not be treated as equally stable as one based on several thousand.
Highest and lowest recorded county pass rates
Highest recorded rates
| County | Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Monaghan | 68.8% | 105 |
| Leitrim | 68.4% | 130 |
| Tipperary | 63.9% | 529 |
| Donegal | 62.9% | 716 |
| Galway | 62.7% | 1,102 |
Lowest recorded rates
| County | Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Wicklow | 37.5% | 328 |
| Carlow | 46.1% | 476 |
| Dublin | 48.1% | 7,619 |
| Wexford | 48.8% | 803 |
| Cavan | 51.1% | 211 |
Monaghan’s 68.8% was the highest county figure, but it came from 105 tests. Dublin’s 48.1% came from 7,619 tests, almost one third of the national volume. The two percentages answer the same basic question, but the larger Dublin sample is less likely to swing sharply because of a relatively small number of results.
Driving test pass rate by county
The table is sorted from the highest recorded pass rate to the lowest. It shows current county data, not a current centre-by-centre ranking.
| County | Pass rate | Tests delivered | Compared with national |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monaghan | 68.8% | 105 | 15.8 points above |
| Leitrim | 68.4% | 130 | 15.4 points above |
| Tipperary | 63.9% | 529 | 10.9 points above |
| Donegal | 62.9% | 716 | 9.9 points above |
| Galway | 62.7% | 1,102 | 9.7 points above |
| Limerick | 58.1% | 865 | 5.1 points above |
| Clare | 57.5% | 362 | 4.5 points above |
| Laois | 57.4% | 233 | 4.4 points above |
| Louth | 56.8% | 1,044 | 3.8 points above |
| Sligo | 56.7% | 413 | 3.7 points above |
| Mayo | 56.4% | 317 | 3.4 points above |
| Offaly | 56.1% | 389 | 3.1 points above |
| Meath | 54.8% | 757 | 1.8 points above |
| Kilkenny | 54.6% | 439 | 1.6 points above |
| Kerry | 54.1% | 592 | 1.1 points above |
| Kildare | 54.1% | 1,291 | 1.1 points above |
| Waterford | 53.9% | 835 | 0.9 points above |
| Roscommon | 53.3% | 177 | 0.3 points above |
| Westmeath | 53.2% | 759 | 0.2 points above |
| Cork | 53.1% | 2,134 | 0.1 points above |
| Longford | 52.7% | 165 | 0.3 points below |
| Cavan | 51.1% | 211 | 1.9 points below |
| Wexford | 48.8% | 803 | 4.2 points below |
| Dublin | 48.1% | 7,619 | 4.9 points below |
| Carlow | 46.1% | 476 | 6.9 points below |
| Wicklow | 37.5% | 328 | 15.5 points below |
Source: CSO dataset ROA31, Driving Tests Delivered and Pass Rate, Category B, June 2026. A percentage point comparison is not the same as a percentage increase or decrease.
Does a higher pass rate mean an easier test?
No. The test standard is national. A pass rate reflects the results of the candidates who attended in that period, not a published difficulty rating for the route, centre or examiners.
Several factors can move a local pass rate:
- Candidate preparation: the amount and quality of practice before the test makes a major difference.
- Sample size: a small county total can move quickly when a few more candidates pass or fail.
- Applicant mix: first-time candidates, repeat candidates and local levels of preparation may differ.
- Local familiarity: candidates who have practised in the area may be calmer and better prepared for its road types.
- Monthly variation: one month should not be treated as a permanent ranking.
Use the data as context, not a shortcut. A centre with a higher historical pass rate is not a substitute for lessons, independent practice and familiarity with the area.
County data and test-centre data are different
The June 2026 monthly dataset groups Category B results by county. Some counties have several test centres, so the county percentage blends those results together. It cannot tell you which individual centre produced the passes.
The RSA also maintains a public test-centre pass-rate page. At the time this guide was reviewed, the centre table displayed there was labelled 2022. It can provide historical centre context, but it should not be presented as a June 2026 centre ranking.
Keeping those two sources separate avoids a common mistake: combining a current county result with an older centre result and presenting both as if they describe the same month.
How to choose a test centre sensibly
- Start with travel and reliability Choose centres you can reach on time even if traffic or weather is awkward.
- Check whether you can practise locally Familiarity with road types, junctions and traffic conditions is more useful than chasing a headline pass-rate number.
- Discuss the choice with your instructor Ask whether the centre suits your current standard and whether lesson and vehicle cover are practical.
- Compare current waiting times Use our June 2026 waiting-time table to understand the likely invitation queue at realistic centres.
- Only monitor centres you would actually use Wider monitoring can reveal more cancellations, but every selected location should be one you can attend prepared.
How pass rates connect to getting an earlier test
People searching for an earlier appointment often consider changing centre. Pass-rate data helps with that decision, but it should sit behind practical factors. If two nearby centres are equally workable, current waiting time and pass-rate context can help you ask better questions. If one centre is far away and unfamiliar, a higher county percentage alone is not a strong reason to move.
Once you have a realistic shortlist, look at how RSA appointment availability works. You can then check MyRoadSafety and decide whether cancellation monitoring would save you time.
Chosen the centres you would genuinely use?
Set a realistic date range and monitor those locations for an earlier cancellation. IrishDrivingTests.com offers Notify and AutoBook options without changing the official test standard or controlling RSA availability.
How to improve your own chance of passing
The RSA’s preparation advice is more valuable than trying to game a county table. Keep practising on different road types and in varied traffic, review the Rules of the Road, use an Approved Driving Instructor for pre-test advice, and make sure the vehicle and required documents are ready.
An earlier date only helps if you are ready for it. Before accepting a cancellation, confirm that your instructor or sponsor, test vehicle, insurance documents and practice plan can support the appointment.
Methodology and official sources
The current figures come from CSO dataset ROA31, “Driving Tests Delivered and Pass Rate”. We selected June 2026, the latest available month when this page was published, and Category B for cars or light vans. The national total and each county’s pass rate and delivered-test count are shown without estimating missing centre-level detail.
Preparation guidance is checked against the RSA’s driving test preparation page. IrishDrivingTests.com is an independent service and is not affiliated with the RSA.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Irish driving test pass rate in June 2026?
The national Category B pass rate was 53.0% in June 2026, based on 22,791 driving tests delivered in the official monthly dataset.
Which county had the highest pass rate in June 2026?
Monaghan recorded the highest county rate at 68.8%, based on 105 Category B tests. The relatively small test volume should be considered when comparing it with larger counties.
Does a higher pass rate mean a test centre is easier?
No. Pass rates describe the candidates tested in a period, not the difficulty of a route or examiner. Preparation, test volume, applicant mix and local familiarity can all affect the figure.
Should I change centre because of its pass rate?
Pass rate can provide context, but it should not be the main reason to change. Choose a centre you can reach reliably, practise around and attend with a suitable test vehicle.