Barrow In Furness Driving Test Centre
· Westmorland and Furness
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Key Statistics
Getting to Barrow In Furness
The DVSA practical driving test centre in Barrow In Furness is located at Hindpool Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 2PF. To reach the centre by car, take the A590 towards Barrow-in-Furness and follow signs for the town centre. From the A590, turn onto Hindpool Road and the test centre will be on your left. The building is clearly marked with DVSA signage. There is on-site parking available for candidates and their driving instructors in the test centre car park, which has space for several vehicles.
The nearest railway station is Barrow-in-Furness station, which is approximately one mile from the test centre. Local bus services run along Hindpool Road, making the centre accessible by public transport, though you'll need to check current timetables with Stagecoach Cumbria for the most up-to-date route information. If arriving by bus, look out for stops near the test centre on Hindpool Road.
When you arrive, report to the reception desk inside the building where staff will check your documents and provide instructions. The centre has basic facilities including toilets and a waiting area. Your driving instructor can accompany you inside while you complete the paperwork. After the theory check, you'll typically wait in your instructor's car or the designated waiting area until your examiner calls you for the practical test.
About Barrow In Furness Test Centre
Barrow In Furness is a DVSA driving test centre located in Westmorland and Furness. With a current pass rate of 61.9%, it is above the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 1,735 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Barrow In Furness, stretching back to 2007-08. 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 153 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the LA14 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Barrow In Furness test centre serves candidates from Westmorland and Furness 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 Barrow In Furness will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Westmorland and Furness 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 145 tests per month on average. Being a quieter centre, you may find it easier to get a booking here than at larger urban centres.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Barrow In Furness stands at 61.9%, which is above the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined slightly over the last three years, dropping 2.9 percentage points.
Male candidates have a 2.2 percentage point advantage at Barrow In Furness, passing at 62.9% compared to 60.7% for female candidates.
The highest pass rate recorded at Barrow In Furness was 68.3% in 2013-14, while the lowest was 47.1% in 2007-08.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Mar at 69.9%, while the lowest was in Jan at 51.7%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Barrow In Furness Historical Performance
Our records for Barrow In Furness begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 47.1% from 2,378 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 67.2%, and it now sits at 61.9%.
Test volumes at Barrow In Furness have decreased over this period. The data also captures the impact of COVID-19, with the 2020-21 year showing significantly reduced test volumes across all UK centres.
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 Barrow In Furness
Based on the data we hold for Barrow In Furness, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Barrow In Furness, pass rates in Mar (69.9%) are notably higher than in Jan (51.7%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Take advantage of availability. Barrow In Furness is a quieter centre, meaning you may find more flexible booking slots and a less hectic test-day experience.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Barrow In Furness. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Westmorland and Furness area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Barrow In Furness, compare availability with nearby centres. A slightly longer drive to a centre with a higher pass rate or shorter wait could be worthwhile.
- Don't be discouraged by the recent trend. Pass rates at Barrow In Furness have dipped recently, but this reflects candidate cohort changes as much as test difficulty. Your preparation matters far more than statistical trends.
- Arrive early and stay calm. Get to Barrow In Furness 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 Barrow In Furness?
The current pass rate at Barrow In Furness is 61.9%, based on 1,735 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is above the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Barrow In Furness conduct per year?
Barrow In Furness conducted 1,735 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 145 per month. This makes it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
Is Barrow In Furness a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 61.9%, Barrow In Furness is a solid choice. Consider factors like your familiarity with local roads, commute time, and booking availability alongside pass rate data.
What's the best month to take my test at Barrow In Furness?
Based on 2024-25 data, Mar had the highest pass rate at 69.9%. 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 Barrow In Furness?
Male candidates have a 2.2 percentage point advantage at Barrow In Furness, passing at 62.9% compared to 60.7% for female candidates. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Barrow In Furness pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 191 | 125 | 65.4% | 67.3% | 63.2% |
| May | 76 | 52 | 68.4% | 68.9% | 67.7% |
| Jun | 218 | 138 | 63.3% | 63.2% | 63.5% |
| Jul | 145 | 94 | 64.8% | 60.8% | 69.7% |
| Aug | 151 | 88 | 58.3% | 66.7% | 50.6% |
| Sep | 157 | 98 | 62.4% | 57.1% | 67.5% |
| Oct | 152 | 103 | 67.8% | 70.1% | 64.6% |
| Nov | 119 | 77 | 64.7% | 60.0% | 69.5% |
| Dec | 133 | 70 | 52.6% | 52.2% | 53.1% |
| Jan | 201 | 104 | 51.7% | 56.8% | 45.6% |
| Feb | 99 | 60 | 60.6% | 61.3% | 59.5% |
| Mar | 93 | 65 | 69.9% | 75.0% | 62.2% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 2.2pp higher rate than female candidates at Barrow In Furness.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Barrow In Furness? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 1,092 of the tests conducted here.
20-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Barrow In Furness with 75.0% from 56 tests, while 23-year-olds have the lowest at 58.0%.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 475 | 71.2% | 70.3% | 72.2% |
| 18 | 216 | 63.9% | 70.4% | 57.4% |
| 19 | 84 | 59.5% | 60.0% | 59.1% |
| 20 | 56 | 75.0% | 65.4% | 83.3% |
| 21 | 58 | 65.5% | 60.5% | 75.0% |
| 22 | 49 | 59.2% | 72.2% | 51.6% |
| 23 | 50 | 58.0% | 58.8% | 56.3% |
| 24 | 42 | 61.9% | 68.4% | 56.5% |
| 25 | 62 | 66.1% | 67.9% | 64.7% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Barrow In Furness, the automatic test pass rate is 52.3%, which is 9.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 61.9%. 262 automatic tests were conducted here in the latest year.
The lower automatic pass rate compared to overall is unusual. This could reflect a smaller sample size or a particular candidate demographic. Check the trend over time to see if this is consistent.
Female automatic candidates pass at 56.6% compared to 47.0% for males.