Less than 35 per cent of manual drivers passed on their first test attempt in Bunbury last year

Less than 35 per cent of drivers passed their C-class licence test on their first attempt in Bunbury last year, with the city boasting the lowest pass score in the South West region.

The data was revealed in State Parliament this week with Steve Thomas MLC asking Jackie Jarvis — who represented Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti — what percentage of applicants for a manual car licence were successful in obtaining it on their first attempt.

The 2024 figures show just 33.8 per cent of those taking their test passed on their first shot in the City of Bunbury, down from 38.6 per cent in 2023.

Out of six South West areas, drivers in the Shire of Collie performed the best in 2024 with 62.30 per cent passing on the first try, up from 59 per cent in the previous year.

The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup was next best with 55.4 per cent in 2024, up from 45.5 per cent in 2023.

First time pass rates fell in the Shire of Harvey from 48.50 per cent in 2023 to 46.50 per cent.

It was a similar story in the City of Busselton with 54.7 per cent in 2023, but just 53.90 per cent the following year.

The Shire of Dardanup also saw a drop with half of first time testers passing in 2023, but just 41.7 per cent in 2024.

Albany, in the great southern region, fared better with 59.50 per cent in 2023 and 57.5 per cent in 2024.