Alnwick Driving Test Centre
· Northumberland
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Key Statistics
Getting to Alnwick
Alnwick Driving Test Centre is at Roxburgh House, Green Batt, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1JX. Green Batt is a quiet street close to the centre of this lovely market town, so the test centre is straightforward to find. There are car parking spaces available on site, which takes one worry off your plate on test day.
If you are travelling on the A1, take the turn-off for Alnwick and follow signs into the town centre. Green Batt runs parallel to the main shopping streets, just a short walk from the marketplace. The centre has male and female toilets and wheelchair access. Allow a few extra minutes to get parked and settled before your appointment.
About Alnwick Test Centre
Alnwick is a DVSA driving test centre located in Northumberland. With a current pass rate of 51.0%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 1,093 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
DrivingData UK holds 18 years of historical data for Alnwick, 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 718 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the NE66 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Alnwick test centre serves candidates from Northumberland 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 Alnwick will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Northumberland 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 91 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 Alnwick stands at 51.0%, 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 17.7 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Alnwick, passing at 56.2% compared to 47.7% for male candidates, a 8.5 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Alnwick was 69.1% in 2020-21, while the lowest was 48.4% in 2009-10.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Sep at 62.7%, while the lowest was in Dec at 41.4%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Alnwick Historical Performance
Our records for Alnwick begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 51.0% from 1,148 tests. By 2016-17, the rate had risen to 67.0%, and it now sits at 51.0%.
Test volumes at Alnwick have remained broadly stable 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 Alnwick
Based on the data we hold for Alnwick, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Alnwick, pass rates in Sep (62.7%) are notably higher than in Dec (41.4%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- The gender gap favours female candidates here. Women pass at 56.2% compared to 47.7% for men. This is unusual nationally and may reflect the local road conditions.
- Take advantage of availability. Alnwick 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 Alnwick. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Northumberland area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Alnwick, 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 Alnwick have dipped recently, but this reflects candidate cohort changes as much as test difficulty. Your preparation matters far more than statistical trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pass rate at Alnwick?
The current pass rate at Alnwick is 51.0%, based on 1,093 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Alnwick conduct per year?
Alnwick conducted 1,093 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 91 per month. This makes it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
Is Alnwick a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 51.0%, Alnwick 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 Alnwick?
Based on 2024-25 data, Sep had the highest pass rate at 62.7%. 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 Alnwick?
Female candidates outperform males at Alnwick, passing at 56.2% compared to 47.7% for male candidates, a 8.5 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Alnwick pass rate over 18 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 74 | 40 | 54.1% | 54.0% | 54.2% |
| May | 90 | 44 | 48.9% | 42.3% | 57.9% |
| Jun | 99 | 50 | 50.5% | 50.7% | 50.0% |
| Jul | 92 | 42 | 45.7% | 41.0% | 54.8% |
| Aug | 82 | 51 | 62.2% | 57.1% | 67.5% |
| Sep | 51 | 32 | 62.7% | 61.1% | 66.7% |
| Oct | 70 | 41 | 58.6% | 61.0% | 55.2% |
| Nov | 114 | 56 | 49.1% | 45.3% | 54.0% |
| Dec | 87 | 36 | 41.4% | 34.0% | 51.4% |
| Jan | 91 | 43 | 47.3% | 45.6% | 50.0% |
| Feb | 110 | 57 | 51.8% | 49.2% | 55.6% |
| Mar | 133 | 65 | 48.9% | 42.7% | 58.8% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 8.5pp higher rate than male candidates at Alnwick.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Alnwick? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 589 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Alnwick with 73.1% from 312 tests, while 19-year-olds have the lowest at 47.5%. This is unusual. Nationally, 17-year-olds often have lower pass rates due to less driving experience. The 25.6 percentage point gap between the best and worst age groups is significant.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 312 | 73.1% | 70.6% | 76.1% |
| 18 | 122 | 60.7% | 62.7% | 58.2% |
| 19 | 59 | 47.5% | 43.8% | 51.9% |
| 20 | 38 | 60.5% | 61.5% | 58.3% |
| 21 | 31 | 54.8% | 50.0% | 60.0% |
| 22 | 0 | 41.4% | 28.6% | 53.3% |
| 23 | 27 | 63.0% | 55.6% | 77.8% |
| 24 | 0 | 41.7% | 38.1% | 66.7% |
| 25 | 0 | 47.1% | 42.9% | 66.7% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Alnwick, the automatic test pass rate is 33.8%, which is 17.2 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 51.0%. 195 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.
Male automatic candidates pass at 36.6% compared to 31.4% for females.