A record proportion of people passed their driving test in Tilbury during the coronavirus pandemic, new figures show – although far fewer tests took place amid a year of restrictions.

Quieter roads and “incredibly motivated” key workers taking their tests are thought to be behind the rate also hitting a record high across Great Britain in 2020-21.

However, the latest figures will do little to comfort the thousands of people nationally who had their tests cancelled due to Covid restrictions.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency data shows that of 1,300 practical tests at Tilbury Test Centre in 2020-21, 586 ended in success – a pass rate of 45%.

That was up from 44% the previous year, and the highest rate since comparable records began in 2007-08.

However, far fewer tests were undertaken at Tilbury Test Centre over the latest period due to Covid-19 restrictions, which saw only key workers permitted to take tests during the enforced lockdowns.

In total, there were 1,300 driving tests in 2020-21 – compared to 4,382 in 2019-20 – with 2,483 cancelled due to the pandemic. Across Britain a record 50% of tests in 2020-21 resulted in a pass.