Blyth Driving Test Centre
· Northumberland
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Key Statistics
Getting to Blyth
Blyth driving test centre is at Unit 3, Sextant House, Freehold Street, Blyth, Northumberland NE24 3BA. It is close to the town centre and easy enough to find once you know the street. There is limited parking near the centre, so if your instructor is dropping you off, agree a pickup spot beforehand. Set your sat nav to the postcode and follow the signs once you are on Freehold Street.
Blyth does not have its own railway station, so if you are coming by public transport you will need to catch a bus. Arriva and other local operators connect Blyth with Newcastle and the surrounding towns. Most candidates arrive with their instructor, which keeps things simple. The test routes take in a range of residential and town-centre roads. Give yourself ten minutes of breathing room before your test time.
About Blyth Test Centre
Blyth is a DVSA driving test centre located in Northumberland. With a current pass rate of 47.2%, it is below the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 6,493 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Blyth, 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 NE24 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Blyth 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 Blyth 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 541 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Blyth stands at 47.2%, which is below the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined notably over the last three years, falling 9.2 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Blyth, passing at 49.7% compared to 45.3% for male candidates, a 4.4 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Blyth was 60.7% in 2021-22, while the lowest was 46.6% in 2007-08.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Oct at 51.6%, while the lowest was in Jul at 42.8%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Blyth Historical Performance
Our records for Blyth begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 46.6% from 6,796 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 56.3%, and it now sits at 47.2%.
Test volumes at Blyth 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 Blyth
Based on the data we hold for Blyth, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Blyth, pass rates in Oct (51.6%) are notably higher than in Jul (42.8%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- The gender gap favours female candidates here. Women pass at 49.7% compared to 45.3% for men. This is unusual nationally and may reflect the local road conditions.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Blyth. 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 Blyth, 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 Blyth 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 Blyth 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 Blyth?
The current pass rate at Blyth is 47.2%, based on 6,493 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is below the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Blyth conduct per year?
Blyth conducted 6,493 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 541 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Blyth a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 47.2%, Blyth 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 Blyth?
Based on 2024-25 data, Oct had the highest pass rate at 51.6%. 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 Blyth?
Female candidates outperform males at Blyth, passing at 49.7% compared to 45.3% for male candidates, a 4.4 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Blyth pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 538 | 275 | 51.1% | 53.1% | 48.8% |
| May | 472 | 235 | 49.8% | 48.2% | 51.6% |
| Jun | 600 | 294 | 49.0% | 49.1% | 48.9% |
| Jul | 617 | 264 | 42.8% | 40.1% | 46.5% |
| Aug | 396 | 194 | 49.0% | 46.4% | 52.3% |
| Sep | 467 | 238 | 51.0% | 52.5% | 49.3% |
| Oct | 494 | 255 | 51.6% | 50.0% | 53.6% |
| Nov | 631 | 293 | 46.4% | 44.2% | 49.4% |
| Dec | 527 | 229 | 43.5% | 40.3% | 47.9% |
| Jan | 601 | 269 | 44.8% | 40.3% | 51.5% |
| Feb | 511 | 224 | 43.8% | 37.9% | 51.3% |
| Mar | 639 | 296 | 46.3% | 45.7% | 47.2% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 4.4pp higher rate than male candidates at Blyth.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Blyth? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 3,712 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Blyth with 62.9% from 1163 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 45.6%. 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 | 1,163 | 62.9% | 63.5% | 62.4% |
| 18 | 838 | 55.8% | 55.8% | 55.9% |
| 19 | 426 | 54.2% | 54.7% | 53.7% |
| 20 | 291 | 58.1% | 59.3% | 56.7% |
| 21 | 216 | 52.8% | 49.2% | 57.4% |
| 22 | 208 | 48.1% | 45.6% | 51.1% |
| 23 | 192 | 51.0% | 43.1% | 60.0% |
| 24 | 207 | 46.4% | 43.5% | 50.0% |
| 25 | 171 | 45.6% | 41.5% | 54.7% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Blyth, the automatic test pass rate is 35.9%, which is 11.3 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 47.2%. With 1,580 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.
Female automatic candidates pass at 36.6% compared to 35.2% for males.