Banbury Driving Test Centre
· Oxfordshire
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Key Statistics
Getting to Banbury
Banbury Driving Test Centre is at 3 West Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 9SD. West Bar Street is right in the town centre, close to the main shopping area, so it is easy to find. If you are driving in from the M40, exit at junction 11 and follow the signs for Banbury town centre.
Parking in the town centre can be a bit tight, so plan ahead and consider using one of the nearby pay-and-display car parks. Your instructor will know the best spots. The centre is within walking distance of Banbury train station too. Arrive about ten minutes before your appointment to check in calmly.
About Banbury Test Centre
Banbury is a DVSA driving test centre located in Oxfordshire. With a current pass rate of 39.9%, it is significantly below the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 8,241 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Banbury, 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 397 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the OX16 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Banbury test centre serves candidates from Oxfordshire 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 Banbury will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Oxfordshire 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 687 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Banbury stands at 39.9%, which is significantly below the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined slightly over the last three years, dropping 3.6 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Banbury, passing at 40.8% compared to 39.2% for male candidates, a 1.6 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Banbury was 53.8% in 2016-17, while the lowest was 39.9% in 2024-25.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Apr at 46.3%, while the lowest was in Dec at 34.2%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Banbury Historical Performance
Our records for Banbury begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 52.5% from 5,583 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had fallen to 51.8%, and it now sits at 39.9%.
Test volumes at Banbury have grown over this period, rising from 5,583 to 8,241 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 Banbury
Based on the data we hold for Banbury, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Banbury, pass rates in Apr (46.3%) are notably higher than in Dec (34.2%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Banbury. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Oxfordshire area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Banbury, 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 Banbury 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 Banbury 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 Banbury?
The current pass rate at Banbury is 39.9%, based on 8,241 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is significantly below the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Banbury conduct per year?
Banbury conducted 8,241 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 687 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Banbury a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 39.9%, Banbury 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 Banbury?
Based on 2024-25 data, Apr had the highest pass rate at 46.3%. 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 Banbury?
Female candidates outperform males at Banbury, passing at 40.8% compared to 39.2% for male candidates, a 1.6 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Banbury pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 674 | 312 | 46.3% | 44.6% | 48.2% |
| May | 673 | 301 | 44.7% | 43.1% | 46.6% |
| Jun | 556 | 218 | 39.2% | 39.9% | 38.4% |
| Jul | 684 | 296 | 43.3% | 43.9% | 42.5% |
| Aug | 669 | 274 | 41.0% | 40.7% | 41.2% |
| Sep | 615 | 235 | 38.2% | 40.4% | 35.2% |
| Oct | 734 | 288 | 39.2% | 38.5% | 40.3% |
| Nov | 777 | 288 | 37.1% | 35.9% | 38.5% |
| Dec | 653 | 223 | 34.2% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Jan | 658 | 243 | 36.9% | 36.7% | 37.2% |
| Feb | 763 | 303 | 39.7% | 37.7% | 42.0% |
| Mar | 785 | 306 | 39.0% | 36.3% | 42.2% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 1.6pp higher rate than male candidates at Banbury.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Banbury? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 5,439 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Banbury with 48.8% from 1713 tests, while 20-year-olds have the lowest at 35.2%. 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 | 1,713 | 48.8% | 47.4% | 50.6% |
| 18 | 1,293 | 41.8% | 39.7% | 44.0% |
| 19 | 606 | 44.9% | 43.1% | 47.3% |
| 20 | 426 | 35.2% | 33.8% | 36.9% |
| 21 | 333 | 41.4% | 42.2% | 40.5% |
| 22 | 327 | 39.4% | 37.9% | 41.4% |
| 23 | 274 | 42.3% | 43.6% | 40.7% |
| 24 | 224 | 38.8% | 40.9% | 36.7% |
| 25 | 243 | 37.4% | 34.5% | 41.6% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Banbury, the automatic test pass rate is 35.1%, which is 4.8 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 39.9%. With 1,770 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
Female automatic candidates pass at 35.8% compared to 34.1% for males.