DARLINGTON, Gateshead and Sunderland are among the hardest places in the region to pass the practical driving test, a study has found.

Durham, Alnwick and Scarborough are among the easiest places to get a licence, with pass rates of up to 22 per cent higher than elsewhere in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

The disparity has been highlighted in study by Confused.com, which shows that more than a third of drivers in the region say test changes set to be introduced in December must go further to improve safety.

Under the existing syllabus, learner drivers taking the test in Alnwick and Scarborough last year had a success rate of 67 per cent, while 60 per cent of examinees at Durham passed. However, drivers in Gateshead and Sunderland are facing a trickier test, with just 45 per cent learners in the same year receiving their driving licence. In Darlington it was 49 per cent.

With updates to the test coming into force from December 4, it is unclear whether this could shift the balance of pass rates across the region.

Despite resentment from some drivers, the Government hopes to update the practical test and cut the number of people, and in particular teenagers, killed and seriously injured.

Reflecting on poor driving behaviour among new motorists more closely, two in three of those polled said the test should teach learners about falling into the trap of tailgating. A further half say they should be warned about the dangers of middle-lane hogging.

Almost half of UK motorists welcome the introduction of the sat-nav.

A Confused.com spokesman said: “We hope the new test will help new drivers in the North-East to adapt to the modern conditions of our roads, especially through the independent driving task and using a sat nav.

"It is worrying that more than a third of drivers believe these new changes are still not going far enough.

"To help improve the quality of driving on our roads, there is a valid argument that new drivers should be taught general road etiquette and how to treat fellow drivers.”