Ashfield Driving Test Centre
· Stirling
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Key Statistics
Getting to Ashfield
Ashfield Driving Test Centre is on the ground floor of Sherwood House, off Coxmoor Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 5LA. The centre sits right beside the A38 at Kings Mill, roughly ten minutes from Sutton-in-Ashfield town centre. There is parking available at the centre for test candidates.
If you are coming from the M1, exit at junction 28 and follow the A38 towards Mansfield. The turn-off for Coxmoor Road is well signposted. The surrounding roads offer a good mix of residential streets and dual carriageway, which is typical of what you will face during the test itself. Arrive a few minutes early so you can get comfortable.
About Ashfield Test Centre
Ashfield is a DVSA driving test centre located in Stirling. With a current pass rate of 51.2%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 9,507 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 15 years of historical data for Ashfield, stretching back to 2009-10. 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 202 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the FK15 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Ashfield test centre serves candidates from Stirling 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 Ashfield will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Stirling 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 792 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Ashfield stands at 51.2%, 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 candidates have a 3.6 percentage point advantage at Ashfield, passing at 52.9% compared to 49.3% for female candidates.
The highest pass rate recorded at Ashfield was 60.4% in 2015-16, while the lowest was 51.0% in 2023-24.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Mar at 56.2%, while the lowest was in Apr at 48.2%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Ashfield Historical Performance
Our records for Ashfield begin in the 2009-10 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 53.9% from 1,305 tests. By 2016-17, the rate had risen to 59.6%, and it now sits at 51.2%.
Test volumes at Ashfield have grown over this period, rising from 1,305 to 9,507 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 Ashfield
Based on the data we hold for Ashfield, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Ashfield, pass rates in Mar (56.2%) are notably higher than in Apr (48.2%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Ashfield. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Stirling area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Ashfield, 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 Ashfield 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 Ashfield 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 Ashfield?
The current pass rate at Ashfield is 51.2%, based on 9,507 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Ashfield conduct per year?
Ashfield conducted 9,507 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 792 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Ashfield a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 51.2%, Ashfield 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 Ashfield?
Based on 2024-25 data, Mar had the highest pass rate at 56.2%. 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 Ashfield?
Male candidates have a 3.6 percentage point advantage at Ashfield, passing at 52.9% compared to 49.3% for female candidates. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Ashfield pass rate over 15 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 921 | 444 | 48.2% | 49.2% | 46.8% |
| May | 820 | 427 | 52.1% | 56.8% | 46.4% |
| Jun | 838 | 439 | 52.4% | 52.3% | 52.5% |
| Jul | 916 | 475 | 51.9% | 51.4% | 52.4% |
| Aug | 807 | 419 | 51.9% | 52.5% | 51.2% |
| Sep | 972 | 475 | 48.9% | 51.1% | 46.5% |
| Oct | 1,040 | 506 | 48.7% | 51.6% | 45.4% |
| Nov | 530 | 277 | 52.3% | 56.5% | 47.4% |
| Dec | 463 | 240 | 51.8% | 55.8% | 47.5% |
| Jan | 710 | 355 | 50.0% | 51.5% | 48.4% |
| Feb | 783 | 412 | 52.6% | 51.9% | 53.4% |
| Mar | 707 | 397 | 56.2% | 58.3% | 53.8% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 3.6pp higher rate than female candidates at Ashfield.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Ashfield? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 5,751 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Ashfield with 65.5% from 1808 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 50.0%. 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 | 1,808 | 65.5% | 68.1% | 62.6% |
| 18 | 1,453 | 55.5% | 55.9% | 55.0% |
| 19 | 641 | 52.1% | 55.2% | 49.2% |
| 20 | 463 | 55.7% | 56.4% | 55.0% |
| 21 | 360 | 55.0% | 56.1% | 54.0% |
| 22 | 315 | 50.5% | 55.3% | 46.1% |
| 23 | 275 | 57.8% | 59.9% | 54.9% |
| 24 | 202 | 56.9% | 60.2% | 53.8% |
| 25 | 234 | 50.0% | 52.0% | 47.7% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Ashfield, the automatic test pass rate is 43.2%, which is 8.0 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 51.2%. With 2,045 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.
Male automatic candidates pass at 43.7% compared to 42.8% for females.