Gosforth Driving Test Centre
· Cumberland
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Key Statistics
Getting to Gosforth
The DVSA Gosforth test centre is located at Gosforth Depot, Gosforth, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1EH. To reach the centre by car, take the A595 coastal road which runs through Gosforth village. The test centre is clearly signposted and sits just off this main route. If travelling from the south, follow the A595 north through Millom and Bootle. From the north, take the A595 south from Whitehaven through Egremont. The centre has its own car park with designated spaces for test candidates, so you won't need to worry about finding street parking or paying for spaces.
The nearest railway station is Seascale, approximately 3 miles away on the Cumbrian Coast Line. This station connects to Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, though services are limited so check timetables carefully. Bus services in this rural area are infrequent, with the main route being the 620 service operated by Stagecoach, which connects coastal communities along the A595.
When you arrive, park in the designated test centre car park and report to the reception desk inside the building. Your driving instructor should accompany you to check in with your provisional licence and theory test certificate. The centre is a straightforward single-storey building with level access, and facilities include a waiting area and toilets for candidates.
About Gosforth Test Centre
Gosforth is a DVSA driving test centre located in Cumberland. With a current pass rate of 47.5%, it is below the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 10,234 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a very busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 10 years of historical data for Gosforth, stretching back to 2014-15. 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 163 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the CA20 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Gosforth test centre serves candidates from Cumberland 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 Gosforth will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Cumberland 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 853 tests per month on average, so expect a busy waiting room at peak times.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Gosforth stands at 47.5%, which is below the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has shown a gradual improvement over the last three years, gaining 3.3 percentage points.
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Gosforth, with less than a percentage point between them.
The highest pass rate recorded at Gosforth was 50.0% in 2016-17, while the lowest was 42.9% in 2014-15.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Jun at 50.1%, while the lowest was in Mar at 42.9%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Gosforth Historical Performance
Our records for Gosforth begin in the 2014-15 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 42.9% from 1,067 tests. By 2019-20, the rate had risen to 48.8%, and it now sits at 47.5%.
Test volumes at Gosforth have grown over this period, rising from 1,067 to 10,234 tests per year.
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 Gosforth
Based on the data we hold for Gosforth, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Gosforth, pass rates in Jun (50.1%) are notably higher than in Mar (42.9%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Gosforth. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Cumberland area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Gosforth, 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 Gosforth 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 Gosforth?
The current pass rate at Gosforth is 47.5%, based on 10,234 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is below the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Gosforth conduct per year?
Gosforth conducted 10,234 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 853 per month. This makes it a very busy centre.
Is Gosforth a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 47.5%, Gosforth 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 Gosforth?
Based on 2024-25 data, Jun had the highest pass rate at 50.1%. 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 Gosforth?
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Gosforth, 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
Gosforth pass rate over 10 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 771 | 373 | 48.4% | 47.2% | 50.2% |
| May | 798 | 383 | 48.0% | 49.4% | 45.8% |
| Jun | 928 | 465 | 50.1% | 49.5% | 50.9% |
| Jul | 971 | 468 | 48.2% | 47.8% | 48.8% |
| Aug | 592 | 290 | 49.0% | 46.4% | 52.7% |
| Sep | 779 | 372 | 47.8% | 47.3% | 48.5% |
| Oct | 1,023 | 481 | 47.0% | 47.4% | 46.4% |
| Nov | 821 | 399 | 48.6% | 49.6% | 47.1% |
| Dec | 749 | 348 | 46.5% | 47.7% | 44.9% |
| Jan | 910 | 409 | 44.9% | 46.9% | 42.2% |
| Feb | 844 | 422 | 50.0% | 49.7% | 50.4% |
| Mar | 1,048 | 450 | 42.9% | 43.4% | 42.2% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 0.3pp higher rate than female candidates at Gosforth.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Gosforth? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 4,949 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Gosforth with 60.2% from 1079 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 46.4%. 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 | 1,079 | 60.2% | 60.2% | 60.3% |
| 18 | 914 | 53.0% | 55.7% | 49.9% |
| 19 | 587 | 49.2% | 50.3% | 48.1% |
| 20 | 454 | 50.9% | 50.7% | 51.1% |
| 21 | 466 | 51.9% | 56.6% | 46.5% |
| 22 | 433 | 51.0% | 46.0% | 58.9% |
| 23 | 326 | 51.8% | 51.7% | 52.1% |
| 24 | 343 | 54.5% | 50.9% | 61.2% |
| 25 | 347 | 46.4% | 43.2% | 54.6% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Gosforth, the automatic test pass rate is 45.7%, which is similar to the overall pass rate of 47.5%. With 2,864 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
Male automatic candidates pass at 47.2% compared to 44.5% for females.