Cardigan Driving Test Centre
· Sir Ceredigion - Ceredigion
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Key Statistics
Getting to Cardigan
Cardigan driving test centre is at Crown Buildings, Napier Street, Cardigan, SA43 1ED. It is right in the heart of the town, just a short walk from the High Street. If you are driving in, Napier Street is easy to find from the A484 or A487, both of which bring you into the town centre. Pop the postcode into your sat nav and you will have no trouble finding it.
Parking in the immediate area can be limited, so it is worth arriving a little early or having your instructor drop you off. There are pay-and-display car parks nearby in the town centre if you need them. Cardigan is served by local bus routes from Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, and other nearby towns if you prefer public transport. Give yourself plenty of time to get settled before your test slot.
About Cardigan Test Centre
Cardigan is a DVSA driving test centre located in Sir Ceredigion - Ceredigion. With a current pass rate of 49.8%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 1,340 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
DrivingData UK holds 18 years of historical data for Cardigan, 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 452 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the SA43 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Cardigan test centre serves candidates from Sir Ceredigion - Ceredigion 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 Cardigan will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Sir Ceredigion - Ceredigion 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 112 tests per month on average. Being a quieter centre, you may find it easier to get a booking here than at larger urban centres.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Cardigan stands at 49.8%, which is close to the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has remained relatively stable over the last three years.
Female candidates outperform males at Cardigan, passing at 50.9% compared to 48.9% for male candidates, a 2.0 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Cardigan was 59.1% in 2011-12, while the lowest was 49.7% in 2019-20.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Feb at 63.0%, while the lowest was in Jun at 40.3%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Cardigan Historical Performance
Our records for Cardigan begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 58.1% from 785 tests. By 2016-17, the rate had fallen to 57.1%, and it now sits at 49.8%.
Test volumes at Cardigan have grown over this period, rising from 785 to 1,340 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 Cardigan
Based on the data we hold for Cardigan, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Cardigan, pass rates in Feb (63.0%) are notably higher than in Jun (40.3%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Take advantage of availability. Cardigan is a quieter centre, meaning you may find more flexible booking slots and a less hectic test-day experience.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Cardigan. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Sir Ceredigion - Ceredigion area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Cardigan, compare availability with nearby centres. A slightly longer drive to a centre with a higher pass rate or shorter wait could be worthwhile.
- Arrive early and stay calm. Get to Cardigan 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 Cardigan?
The current pass rate at Cardigan is 49.8%, based on 1,340 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Cardigan conduct per year?
Cardigan conducted 1,340 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 112 per month. This makes it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
Is Cardigan a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 49.8%, Cardigan 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 Cardigan?
Based on 2024-25 data, Feb had the highest pass rate at 63.0%. 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 Cardigan?
Female candidates outperform males at Cardigan, passing at 50.9% compared to 48.9% for male candidates, a 2.0 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Cardigan pass rate over 18 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 113 | 56 | 49.6% | 52.4% | 46.0% |
| May | 118 | 71 | 60.2% | 58.6% | 61.7% |
| Jun | 124 | 50 | 40.3% | 39.4% | 41.4% |
| Jul | 129 | 63 | 48.8% | 47.9% | 50.0% |
| Aug | 149 | 61 | 40.9% | 43.5% | 37.5% |
| Sep | 166 | 74 | 44.6% | 46.5% | 41.5% |
| Oct | 127 | 76 | 59.8% | 53.5% | 67.9% |
| Nov | 94 | 39 | 41.5% | 36.2% | 50.0% |
| Dec | 85 | 49 | 57.6% | 53.2% | 63.2% |
| Jan | 111 | 56 | 50.5% | 53.1% | 46.8% |
| Feb | 54 | 34 | 63.0% | 59.4% | 68.2% |
| Mar | 70 | 38 | 54.3% | 55.9% | 52.8% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 2pp higher rate than male candidates at Cardigan.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Cardigan? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 975 of the tests conducted here.
22-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Cardigan with 56.7% from 30 tests, while 21-year-olds have the lowest at 47.8%.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 552 | 54.3% | 56.7% | 51.9% |
| 18 | 182 | 51.6% | 52.8% | 50.0% |
| 19 | 80 | 48.8% | 49.0% | 48.3% |
| 20 | 57 | 52.6% | 52.9% | 52.2% |
| 21 | 46 | 47.8% | 48.3% | 47.1% |
| 22 | 30 | 56.7% | 56.3% | 57.1% |
| 23 | 0 | 50.0% | 45.8% | 62.5% |
| 24 | 0 | 41.9% | 47.1% | 35.7% |
| 25 | 28 | 53.6% | 53.3% | 53.8% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Cardigan, the automatic test pass rate is 38.2%, which is 11.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 49.8%. 131 automatic tests were conducted here in the latest year.
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 45.8% compared to 28.8% for males.