Durham Driving Test Centre
· County Durham
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Key Statistics
Getting to Durham
The Durham DVSA practical driving test centre is located at Belmont Industrial Estate, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TW. To reach the centre by car, take the A167 from Durham city centre heading south towards Chester-le-Street. Turn left onto the A690 (signposted Sunderland/Belmont) and follow this road for about two miles. Turn right into Belmont Industrial Estate and follow the signs to the DVSA test centre. The route is well signposted once you're in the industrial estate area.
There's free on-site parking available at the test centre with dedicated bays for driving instructors and test candidates. The nearest railway station is Durham, which is approximately three miles away. From Durham station, you can take the number 20 or 35 bus service towards Belmont, which runs regularly throughout the day and stops near the industrial estate. The journey takes about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
When you arrive, report to the reception desk inside the building where staff will check you in for your test. You'll then typically wait in your car with your driving instructor until your examiner comes to collect you. The test centre has toilet facilities and a small waiting area, though most candidates prefer to stay in their vehicle to keep calm before the test begins.
About Durham Test Centre
Durham is a DVSA driving test centre located in County Durham. With a current pass rate of 49.6%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 8,228 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 13 years of historical data for Durham, stretching back to 2011-12. 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 231 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the DH1 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Durham test centre serves candidates from County Durham 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 Durham will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the County Durham 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 686 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Durham stands at 49.6%, 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 6.1 percentage points.
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Durham, with less than a percentage point between them.
The highest pass rate recorded at Durham was 62.5% in 2021-22, while the lowest was 48.1% in 2023-24.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Dec at 57.3%, while the lowest was in Sep at 46.3%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Durham Historical Performance
Our records for Durham begin in the 2011-12 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 60.1% from 6,690 tests. By 2017-18, the rate had fallen to 59.6%, and it now sits at 49.6%.
Test volumes at Durham have grown over this period, rising from 6,690 to 8,228 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 Durham
Based on the data we hold for Durham, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Durham, pass rates in Dec (57.3%) are notably higher than in Sep (46.3%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Durham. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the County Durham area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Durham, 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 Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham?
The current pass rate at Durham is 49.6%, based on 8,228 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Durham conduct per year?
Durham conducted 8,228 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 686 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Durham a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 49.6%, Durham 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 Durham?
Based on 2024-25 data, Dec had the highest pass rate at 57.3%. 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 Durham?
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Durham, with less than a percentage point between them. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Durham pass rate over 13 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 866 | 406 | 46.9% | 50.2% | 43.3% |
| May | 854 | 422 | 49.4% | 50.6% | 48.3% |
| Jun | 763 | 368 | 48.2% | 49.5% | 47.0% |
| Jul | 803 | 378 | 47.1% | 45.9% | 48.3% |
| Aug | 674 | 326 | 48.4% | 48.0% | 48.7% |
| Sep | 594 | 275 | 46.3% | 43.6% | 48.6% |
| Oct | 692 | 375 | 54.2% | 53.4% | 55.1% |
| Nov | 574 | 299 | 52.1% | 46.0% | 58.2% |
| Dec | 431 | 247 | 57.3% | 58.2% | 56.3% |
| Jan | 626 | 325 | 51.9% | 54.3% | 49.5% |
| Feb | 723 | 359 | 49.7% | 50.4% | 48.8% |
| Mar | 628 | 303 | 48.2% | 47.9% | 48.6% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 0.2pp higher rate than female candidates at Durham.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Durham? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 5,749 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Durham with 61.3% from 1859 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 46.7%. 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 | 1,859 | 61.3% | 62.6% | 59.9% |
| 18 | 1,251 | 49.3% | 51.7% | 47.4% |
| 19 | 635 | 48.3% | 46.8% | 49.8% |
| 20 | 515 | 48.9% | 47.0% | 50.7% |
| 21 | 451 | 51.0% | 53.3% | 49.2% |
| 22 | 352 | 50.6% | 51.1% | 50.0% |
| 23 | 241 | 51.5% | 50.9% | 52.0% |
| 24 | 220 | 55.0% | 56.8% | 52.9% |
| 25 | 225 | 46.7% | 48.6% | 45.0% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Durham, the automatic test pass rate is 45.3%, which is 4.3 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 49.6%. With 1,194 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
Female automatic candidates pass at 47.1% compared to 42.6% for males.