Atherton (Manchester) Driving Test Centre
Only book your driving test through the official GOV.UK service. Beware of third-party sites that charge extra fees.
Key Statistics
Getting to Atherton (Manchester)
Atherton Driving Test Centre is at 5 Gibfield Park Avenue, Atherton, Manchester M46 0SU. The centre is just off the A579 and roughly ten minutes from the M61 motorway, making it easy to reach from across Greater Manchester. There is free parking on site, so you do not need to worry about finding a space.
From the M61, take junction 5 and follow the A579 towards Atherton. Gibfield Park Avenue is a turning off the main road and the test centre is clearly visible. The centre has male and female toilets and wheelchair access. It is a modern facility with good access roads, so getting there on test day should be nice and straightforward.
About Atherton Test Centre
Atherton is a DVSA driving test centre located in Unknown. With a current pass rate of 44.4%, it is below the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 7,690 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 11 years of historical data for Atherton, stretching back to 2013-14. 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 738 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the M46 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Atherton test centre serves candidates from Unknown 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 Atherton will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Unknown 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 641 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Atherton stands at 44.4%, which is below the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined slightly over the last three years, dropping 2.8 percentage points.
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Atherton, with less than a percentage point between them.
The highest pass rate recorded at Atherton was 50.5% in 2015-16, while the lowest was 44.3% in 2023-24.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Oct at 48.5%, while the lowest was in Aug at 40.8%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Atherton Historical Performance
Our records for Atherton begin in the 2013-14 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 49.7% from 5,228 tests. By 2018-19, the rate had risen to 50.1%, and it now sits at 44.4%.
Test volumes at Atherton have grown over this period, rising from 5,228 to 7,690 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 Atherton
Based on the data we hold for Atherton, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Atherton, pass rates in Oct (48.5%) are notably higher than in Aug (40.8%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Atherton. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Unknown area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Atherton, 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 Atherton 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 Atherton 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 Atherton?
The current pass rate at Atherton is 44.4%, based on 7,690 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is below the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Atherton conduct per year?
Atherton conducted 7,690 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 641 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Atherton a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 44.4%, Atherton 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. If nearby centres have significantly higher rates, it may be worth comparing your options.
What's the best month to take my test at Atherton?
Based on 2024-25 data, Oct had the highest pass rate at 48.5%. 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 Atherton?
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Atherton, 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
Atherton (Manchester) pass rate over 11 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 515 | 212 | 41.2% | 42.5% | 39.6% |
| May | 543 | 223 | 41.1% | 41.5% | 40.5% |
| Jun | 548 | 237 | 43.2% | 44.8% | 41.3% |
| Jul | 567 | 247 | 43.6% | 43.3% | 43.9% |
| Aug | 444 | 181 | 40.8% | 38.7% | 43.5% |
| Sep | 433 | 205 | 47.3% | 49.4% | 44.9% |
| Oct | 681 | 330 | 48.5% | 45.7% | 52.3% |
| Nov | 889 | 417 | 46.9% | 47.7% | 45.8% |
| Dec | 787 | 348 | 44.2% | 46.2% | 41.3% |
| Jan | 757 | 329 | 43.5% | 43.8% | 43.0% |
| Feb | 747 | 339 | 45.4% | 46.0% | 44.6% |
| Mar | 779 | 348 | 44.7% | 44.8% | 44.5% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 0.9pp higher rate than female candidates at Atherton (Manchester).
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Atherton (Manchester)? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 4,251 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Atherton (Manchester) with 56.7% from 840 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 42.1%. 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 | 840 | 56.7% | 55.6% | 57.9% |
| 18 | 1,077 | 49.3% | 48.9% | 49.7% |
| 19 | 591 | 45.3% | 48.2% | 42.3% |
| 20 | 387 | 44.4% | 41.0% | 48.1% |
| 21 | 321 | 44.5% | 43.3% | 46.2% |
| 22 | 292 | 49.0% | 48.4% | 50.0% |
| 23 | 245 | 52.7% | 53.7% | 51.4% |
| 24 | 246 | 42.7% | 42.6% | 42.9% |
| 25 | 252 | 42.1% | 38.6% | 47.9% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Atherton (Manchester), the automatic test pass rate is 39.4%, which is 5.0 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 44.4%. With 1,773 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
Male automatic candidates pass at 41.0% compared to 38.3% for females.