A DRIVING test is without doubt one of the most stressful occasions you will have to endure - so it would be nice to know where in Ayrshire is best to sit this test.

While there may not be a definitive answer for 'the best place to sit your test' - data can certainly help steer your opinion.

In recent years, concerns have been raised over increased waiting times for both tests and lessons - so is good to have a rough idea of what to expect.

Across the county there are 215 approved driving instructors and in reality, learners in Ayrshire face a below average wait when booking in for the big day.

Across the UK, drivers are waiting a mammoth 17 weeks on average to get a slot at their local test centre.

In Scotland, the wait is slightly lower - with the average time sitting at around 15 weeks across the nation's 79 test centres.

In Ayrshire, those hoping to sit there test face no such wait. The longest time to book a test in the county, on average, is 12 weeks - with that wait anticipated at two test centres.

Ayr and Brodick, on the Isle of Arran, take that title. Drivers in East Ayrshire sitting their test in Cumnock face a wait which is only marginally better at 11 weeks.

In the north of the county, drivers looking to book in at Irvine face a wait of just nine weeks to sort out a test date.

While the shortest wait comes to those looking to book in at Girvan - where learners looking to earn their licence need to wait seven weeks on average to get a test booked.

Though booking in is one thing, passing your test is another.

Across the UK, in the most recent financial year, more people are expect to fail than pass - with the average pass rate sitting at 47.9 per cent.

Though this rate is above average at each of Ayrshire's test centres - with only one centre having a pass rate below half.

That centre would be Irvine, where 48.8 per cent of those sitting their test in 2023/24 obtained a pass.

In Ayr, this average rate increases to 54.1 per cent, while Brodick has a pass rate of 57.1 per cent - though the most recent data there comes from 2021/22.

Cumnock has a higher pass rate again, with 58 per cent of learners passing there last year.

However, the best pass rate comes in Girvan, with 63.5 per cent of drivers their obtaining their licence following their test - making it one of the 'easiest' places to pass your test in Scotland.