Burgess Hill Driving Test Centre
· West Sussex
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Key Statistics
Getting to Burgess Hill
Burgess Hill driving test centre is off Charles Avenue, Victoria Industrial Estate, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9AG. It is on the industrial estate near the A273, so look for the Charles Avenue turning when you are approaching. There is parking on site, though it is shared with other businesses. The postcode works reliably in sat nav and will bring you to the right spot.
Burgess Hill railway station is about a mile away, with regular Southern services running between Brighton and London. Local buses also serve the town centre and surrounding areas. Most candidates arrive with their driving instructor, which is the simplest way to get there. The test routes around Burgess Hill include residential streets, roundabouts, and some faster roads heading out of town. Get there about ten minutes before your appointment so you can check in comfortably.
About Burgess Hill Test Centre
Burgess Hill is a DVSA driving test centre located in West Sussex. With a current pass rate of 43.2%, it is below the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 11,191 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a very busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 15 years of historical data for Burgess Hill, stretching back to 2008-09. 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 384 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the RH15 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Burgess Hill test centre serves candidates from West Sussex 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 Burgess Hill will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the West Sussex 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 933 tests per month on average, so expect a busy waiting room at peak times.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Burgess Hill stands at 43.2%, 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 2.9 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Burgess Hill, passing at 45.1% compared to 41.8% for male candidates, a 3.3 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Burgess Hill was 51.9% in 2013-14, while the lowest was 41.1% in 2018-19.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Aug at 47.4%, while the lowest was in Jan at 39.3%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Burgess Hill Historical Performance
Our records for Burgess Hill begin in the 2008-09 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 45.1% from 1,872 tests. By 2016-17, the rate had risen to 48.9%, and it now sits at 43.2%.
Test volumes at Burgess Hill have grown over this period, rising from 1,872 to 11,191 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 Burgess Hill
Based on the data we hold for Burgess Hill, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Burgess Hill, pass rates in Aug (47.4%) are notably higher than in Jan (39.3%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- The gender gap favours female candidates here. Women pass at 45.1% compared to 41.8% for men. This is unusual nationally and may reflect the local road conditions.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Burgess Hill. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the West Sussex area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Burgess Hill, 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 Burgess Hill 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 Burgess Hill 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 Burgess Hill?
The current pass rate at Burgess Hill is 43.2%, based on 11,191 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is below the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Burgess Hill conduct per year?
Burgess Hill conducted 11,191 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 933 per month. This makes it a very busy centre.
Is Burgess Hill a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 43.2%, Burgess Hill 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 Burgess Hill?
Based on 2024-25 data, Aug had the highest pass rate at 47.4%. 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 Burgess Hill?
Female candidates outperform males at Burgess Hill, passing at 45.1% compared to 41.8% for male candidates, a 3.3 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Burgess Hill pass rate over 15 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 1,005 | 450 | 44.8% | 44.2% | 45.6% |
| May | 915 | 386 | 42.2% | 42.6% | 41.5% |
| Jun | 850 | 371 | 43.6% | 43.0% | 44.5% |
| Jul | 962 | 430 | 44.7% | 42.4% | 47.9% |
| Aug | 709 | 336 | 47.4% | 44.8% | 50.8% |
| Sep | 773 | 337 | 43.6% | 42.0% | 45.5% |
| Oct | 947 | 408 | 43.1% | 43.7% | 42.4% |
| Nov | 916 | 406 | 44.3% | 43.8% | 45.1% |
| Dec | 943 | 395 | 41.9% | 40.1% | 44.5% |
| Jan | 972 | 382 | 39.3% | 35.7% | 44.6% |
| Feb | 1,138 | 455 | 40.0% | 39.1% | 41.2% |
| Mar | 1,061 | 480 | 45.2% | 42.5% | 48.8% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 3.3pp higher rate than male candidates at Burgess Hill.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Burgess Hill? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 7,314 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Burgess Hill with 51.6% from 2668 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 42.3%. 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 | 2,668 | 51.6% | 49.0% | 55.0% |
| 18 | 1,503 | 47.2% | 46.7% | 47.8% |
| 19 | 763 | 42.6% | 43.9% | 41.2% |
| 20 | 550 | 44.4% | 43.7% | 45.1% |
| 21 | 459 | 46.0% | 46.7% | 44.9% |
| 22 | 382 | 43.7% | 42.1% | 46.5% |
| 23 | 336 | 45.8% | 42.3% | 50.7% |
| 24 | 343 | 43.4% | 41.3% | 46.3% |
| 25 | 310 | 42.3% | 40.5% | 46.0% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Burgess Hill, the automatic test pass rate is 38.6%, which is 4.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 43.2%. With 2,248 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
Female automatic candidates pass at 40.5% compared to 36.1% for males.