Gosforth vs Sunderland

Gosforth 47.5%
VS
Sunderland 47.1%

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric Gosforth Sunderland
Overall Pass Rate 47.5% 47.1%
Male Pass Rate 47.6% 47.8%
Female Pass Rate 47.3% 46.4%
Tests Conducted 10,234 9,084
Years of Data 10 17

Pass Rate Trends

40% 42% 44% 46% 48% 50% 2014 2016 2018 2021 2023 2007: 41.6% 2008: 47.5% 2009: 44.9% 2010: 46.2% 2011: 47.0% 2012: 46.9% 2013: 46.1% 2014: 44.0% 2015: 45.5% 2016: 44.8% 2017: 43.9% 2018: 42.9% 2019: 44.1% 2021: 45.3% 2022: 46.7% 2023: 45.8% 2024: 47.1% 2014: 42.9% 2015: 44.2% 2016: 50.0% 2017: 48.8% 2018: 45.5% 2019: 48.8% 2021: 48.6% 2022: 44.2% 2023: 45.7% 2024: 47.5%
Gosforth Sunderland

Gosforth vs Sunderland

Choosing between Gosforth and Sunderland for your practical driving test? This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. These two centres have very similar pass rates, so other factors may be more important in your decision.

Gosforth has a pass rate of 47.5% from 10,234 tests, while Sunderland sits at 47.1% from 9,084 tests in the latest financial year.

Detailed Analysis

Pass rates: Gosforth leads with the higher pass rate. The gap is relatively small and could fluctuate year to year.

Test volume: Gosforth is the busier centre with 10,234 tests per year, compared to 9,084 at Sunderland. Both centres have comparable volumes.

Trends: Gosforth has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.3 percentage points, while Sunderland has remained relatively stable over the last three years. These opposing trends are worth monitoring, as the current gap may narrow or widen in coming years.

Gender comparison: At Gosforth, the male pass rate is 47.6% and female is 47.3%. At Sunderland, it's 47.8% male and 46.4% female.

Our Verdict

With pass rates this close (47.5% vs 47.1%), your decision should come down to practical factors: which centre is easier to get to? Which area have you practised in? Where can you get a booking sooner? Both are equally viable options.

Whichever centre you choose, thorough preparation is the single biggest factor in your result. Practice until you're consistently confident, book when you feel ready, and arrive early on the day.

Booking Tips

When choosing between these centres, consider the following practical factors:

  • Availability: Gosforth is the busier centre (10,234 vs 9,084 tests/year), which may mean longer waits for bookings. Sunderland could offer more flexible scheduling.
  • Best months: Gosforth's highest pass rate month is Jun (50.1%). Sunderland peaks in Feb (51.4%).
  • Practice area: Book at the centre whose surrounding roads you've practised on most. Route familiarity consistently matters more than pass rate statistics.
  • Cancellation checking: If your preferred centre has a long wait, consider using a cancellation checking service. Both centres may have short-notice openings that aren't visible when you first book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the higher pass rate, Gosforth or Sunderland?

Gosforth has the higher pass rate at 47.5%, compared to 47.1% at Sunderland. This is a 0.4 percentage point difference.

Which centre is busier?

Gosforth conducts more tests (10,234 vs 9,084 per year). The quieter centre may offer more flexible booking times.

Are these pass rates trending up or down?

Gosforth has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.3 percentage points. Sunderland has remained relatively stable over the last three years. Check each centre's individual page for the full historical chart.

Should I choose a centre based on pass rate alone?

No. Pass rates reflect the overall candidate pool, not test difficulty. A centre with a lower pass rate may have more first-time or nervous candidates. Your own preparation, familiarity with the roads, and comfort level on test day are far more important than a few percentage points of difference.