Barking (Tanner Street) Driving Test Centre
· Suffolk
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Key Statistics
Getting to Barking (Tanner Street)
Barking test centre is located on Tanner Street in the village of Barking, just outside Ipswich in Suffolk. The centre is easily accessible from the A14, which connects to major routes including the M11 and A12. If you're coming from Ipswich, take the A1071 westbound and follow signs for Barking. The journey from Ipswich town centre takes about 15 minutes by car, making it convenient for learners from across the area.
From London and the south, take the A12 north towards Ipswich, then join the A14 westbound before taking the exit for the A1071 towards Sudbury. The test centre is well signposted once you reach Barking village. There's adequate parking available at the centre, but it's worth arriving with plenty of time to spare so you can familiarise yourself with the area and feel relaxed before your test.
Public transport options are limited to this rural location, so most candidates arrange for their driving instructor to bring them or have a friend or family member drive them to the centre. The surrounding roads offer a good mix of country lanes, A-roads, and village driving that reflect the varied conditions you'll encounter during your practical test.
About Barking (Tanner Street) Test Centre
Barking (Tanner Street) is a DVSA driving test centre located in Suffolk. With a current pass rate of 37.9%, it is significantly below the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 7,499 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 8 years of historical data for Barking (Tanner Street), stretching back to 2016-17. This depth of data allows candidates to understand long-term patterns and make informed choices about when and where to take their test.
There are approximately 405 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the IP6 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Barking (Tanner Street) test centre serves candidates from Suffolk and the surrounding areas. If you're booking your practical test here, it's worth arriving at least 10 minutes early to familiarise yourself with the car park and check in with the examiner.
Test routes from Barking (Tanner Street) will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Suffolk area. As with all DVSA centres, your test will last approximately 40 minutes and include an independent driving section, at least one reversing manoeuvre, and potentially an emergency stop.
The centre conducts around 625 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Barking (Tanner Street) stands at 37.9%, which is significantly below the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has remained relatively stable over the last three years.
Male candidates have a 5.6 percentage point advantage at Barking (Tanner Street), passing at 40.0% compared to 34.4% for female candidates.
The highest pass rate recorded at Barking (Tanner Street) was 41.7% in 2021-22, while the lowest was 34.3% in 2017-18.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Jan at 40.9%, while the lowest was in Jun at 32.2%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Barking (Tanner Street) Historical Performance
Our records for Barking (Tanner Street) begin in the 2016-17 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 35.3% from 7,902 tests. By 2021-22, the rate had risen to 41.7%, and it now sits at 37.9%.
Test volumes at Barking (Tanner Street) have remained broadly stable over this period.
This long-term perspective is valuable for understanding whether the current pass rate is typical for this centre or part of a broader trend. A centre with a temporarily low pass rate may be recovering, while one with a consistently high rate offers more predictable conditions.
Tips for Passing at Barking (Tanner Street)
Based on the data we hold for Barking (Tanner Street), here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Barking (Tanner Street), pass rates in Jan (40.9%) are notably higher than in Jun (32.2%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Barking (Tanner Street). Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Suffolk area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Barking (Tanner Street), compare availability with nearby centres. A slightly longer drive to a centre with a higher pass rate or shorter wait could be worthwhile.
- Arrive early and stay calm. Get to Barking (Tanner Street) at least 10 minutes before your appointment. Use the time to settle your nerves and review any tricky manoeuvres mentally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pass rate at Barking (Tanner Street)?
The current pass rate at Barking (Tanner Street) is 37.9%, based on 7,499 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is significantly below the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Barking (Tanner Street) conduct per year?
Barking (Tanner Street) conducted 7,499 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 625 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Barking (Tanner Street) a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 37.9%, Barking (Tanner Street) is not the highest-rated centre, but your preparation matters more than statistics. Consider factors like your familiarity with local roads, commute time, and booking availability alongside pass rate data. If nearby centres have significantly higher rates, it may be worth comparing your options.
What's the best month to take my test at Barking (Tanner Street)?
Based on 2024-25 data, Jan had the highest pass rate at 40.9%. However, monthly variation can change year to year, so treat this as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Do men or women pass more at Barking (Tanner Street)?
Male candidates have a 5.6 percentage point advantage at Barking (Tanner Street), passing at 40.0% compared to 34.4% for female candidates. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Barking (Tanner Street) pass rate over 8 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 614 | 250 | 40.7% | 43.9% | 36.0% |
| May | 662 | 267 | 40.3% | 42.6% | 36.2% |
| Jun | 646 | 208 | 32.2% | 33.3% | 30.5% |
| Jul | 730 | 278 | 38.1% | 41.5% | 32.2% |
| Aug | 519 | 201 | 38.7% | 39.5% | 37.4% |
| Sep | 630 | 245 | 38.9% | 41.1% | 34.8% |
| Oct | 739 | 276 | 37.3% | 40.5% | 32.1% |
| Nov | 684 | 251 | 36.7% | 38.4% | 34.0% |
| Dec | 547 | 196 | 35.8% | 36.0% | 35.5% |
| Jan | 624 | 255 | 40.9% | 42.0% | 39.2% |
| Feb | 521 | 188 | 36.1% | 39.4% | 30.4% |
| Mar | 583 | 227 | 38.9% | 41.6% | 34.9% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 5.6pp higher rate than female candidates at Barking (Tanner Street).
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Barking (Tanner Street)? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 3,397 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Barking (Tanner Street) with 49.8% from 207 tests, while 20-year-olds have the lowest at 36.3%. This is unusual. Nationally, 17-year-olds often have lower pass rates due to less driving experience.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 207 | 49.8% | 50.3% | 47.9% |
| 18 | 368 | 43.2% | 46.4% | 37.8% |
| 19 | 526 | 37.3% | 39.6% | 34.5% |
| 20 | 460 | 36.3% | 37.8% | 34.8% |
| 21 | 417 | 42.9% | 43.2% | 42.5% |
| 22 | 370 | 40.8% | 40.4% | 41.4% |
| 23 | 349 | 39.3% | 39.5% | 38.8% |
| 24 | 325 | 39.4% | 40.3% | 37.9% |
| 25 | 375 | 36.5% | 40.3% | 30.2% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Barking (Tanner Street), the automatic test pass rate is 35.3%, which is 2.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 37.9%. With 3,361 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
Male automatic candidates pass at 37.3% compared to 33.5% for females.