Chorley Driving Test Centre
· Lancashire
Only book your driving test through the official GOV.UK service. Beware of third-party sites that charge extra fees.
Key Statistics
Getting to Chorley
The DVSA practical driving test centre in Chorley is located on Pilling Lane, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 4TB. To reach the centre by car, take the A6 through Chorley town centre and follow signs towards Adlington. Turn onto Pilling Lane from the A6, and you'll find the test centre clearly signposted on your right. The centre provides free on-site parking with designated bays for candidates and instructors, so you won't need to worry about finding street parking or paying for spaces.
The nearest railway station is Chorley, which is approximately 1.5 miles from the test centre. From the station, you can catch local bus services or take a short taxi ride. Several bus routes serve the area, including services that run along the A6 corridor, though you'll need to check current timetables as services can change.
When you arrive at the centre, report to reception inside the building where staff will check you in for your test. You can then wait in your instructor's car or in the waiting area until your examiner calls your name. The centre is a modern, purpose-built facility with accessible parking and entrance. There are toilet facilities available, and the building is single-storey with level access throughout.
About Chorley Test Centre
Chorley is a DVSA driving test centre located in Lancashire. With a current pass rate of 48.3%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 5,257 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Chorley, 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 397 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the PR7 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Chorley test centre serves candidates from Lancashire 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 Chorley will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Lancashire 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 438 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Chorley stands at 48.3%, which is close to the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined notably over the last three years, falling 9.5 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Chorley, passing at 49.2% compared to 47.6% for male candidates, a 1.6 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Chorley was 57.8% in 2022-23, while the lowest was 48.3% in 2024-25.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Apr at 56.3%, while the lowest was in Oct at 40.7%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Chorley Historical Performance
Our records for Chorley begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 48.9% from 3,378 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 54.0%, and it now sits at 48.3%.
Test volumes at Chorley have grown over this period, rising from 3,378 to 5,257 tests per year. 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 Chorley
Based on the data we hold for Chorley, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Chorley, pass rates in Apr (56.3%) are notably higher than in Oct (40.7%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Chorley. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Lancashire area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Chorley, 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 Chorley 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 Chorley 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 Chorley?
The current pass rate at Chorley is 48.3%, based on 5,257 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Chorley conduct per year?
Chorley conducted 5,257 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 438 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Chorley a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 48.3%, Chorley 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.
What's the best month to take my test at Chorley?
Based on 2024-25 data, Apr had the highest pass rate at 56.3%. 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 Chorley?
Female candidates outperform males at Chorley, passing at 49.2% compared to 47.6% for male candidates, a 1.6 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Chorley pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 403 | 227 | 56.3% | 55.7% | 57.1% |
| May | 318 | 152 | 47.8% | 47.7% | 48.0% |
| Jun | 301 | 152 | 50.5% | 47.6% | 54.0% |
| Jul | 552 | 282 | 51.1% | 52.1% | 49.8% |
| Aug | 509 | 236 | 46.4% | 46.9% | 45.8% |
| Sep | 431 | 197 | 45.7% | 41.6% | 52.1% |
| Oct | 609 | 248 | 40.7% | 41.5% | 39.4% |
| Nov | 472 | 236 | 50.0% | 47.5% | 53.6% |
| Dec | 407 | 191 | 46.9% | 48.6% | 44.2% |
| Jan | 374 | 175 | 46.8% | 48.0% | 44.8% |
| Feb | 423 | 220 | 52.0% | 49.8% | 55.0% |
| Mar | 458 | 222 | 48.5% | 47.7% | 49.5% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 1.6pp higher rate than male candidates at Chorley.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Chorley? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 3,350 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Chorley with 59.8% from 1152 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 43.8%. 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 | 1,152 | 59.8% | 62.0% | 57.3% |
| 18 | 762 | 50.8% | 51.1% | 50.4% |
| 19 | 376 | 50.0% | 51.1% | 48.9% |
| 20 | 244 | 50.4% | 50.0% | 50.8% |
| 21 | 231 | 47.2% | 47.0% | 47.5% |
| 22 | 175 | 46.9% | 50.9% | 40.3% |
| 23 | 156 | 57.1% | 51.7% | 64.2% |
| 24 | 124 | 50.0% | 44.6% | 58.0% |
| 25 | 130 | 43.8% | 43.8% | 44.0% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Chorley, the automatic test pass rate is 40.5%, which is 7.8 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 48.3%. With 792 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
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 43.0% compared to 37.9% for males.