Darlington Driving Test Centre
· Darlington
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Key Statistics
Getting to Darlington
Darlington driving test centre is at High Point Business Park, Yarm Road, Darlington, DL1 4PW. The business park is on the southern edge of town along Yarm Road, which is easy to reach from the A66 or the A167. If you are coming from the A1(M), exit at Junction 57 and follow the A66 towards Darlington, then head south on Yarm Road. The postcode will take you straight there with sat nav.
There is parking available at the business park, so finding a space should not be a problem. Your instructor will know exactly where to pull in. Darlington railway station is about a mile and a half away if you are coming by train, and local bus routes run along Yarm Road. Get there ten minutes before your test time so you can check in and be calm and ready when your examiner comes to collect you.
About Darlington Test Centre
Darlington is a DVSA driving test centre located in Darlington. With a current pass rate of 49.2%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 6,828 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 16 years of historical data for Darlington, 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 228 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the DL1 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Darlington test centre serves candidates from Darlington 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 Darlington will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Darlington 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 569 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Darlington stands at 49.2%, which is close to the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined notably over the last three years, falling 7.8 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Darlington, passing at 50.4% compared to 48.4% for male candidates, a 2.0 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Darlington was 57.0% in 2022-23, while the lowest was 46.0% in 2007-08.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Apr at 54.9%, while the lowest was in Nov at 43.0%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Darlington Historical Performance
Our records for Darlington begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 46.0% from 3,376 tests. By 2016-17, the rate had risen to 50.0%, and it now sits at 49.2%.
Test volumes at Darlington have grown over this period, rising from 3,376 to 6,828 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 Darlington
Based on the data we hold for Darlington, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Darlington, pass rates in Apr (54.9%) are notably higher than in Nov (43.0%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Darlington. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Darlington area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Darlington, 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 Darlington 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 Darlington 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 Darlington?
The current pass rate at Darlington is 49.2%, based on 6,828 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Darlington conduct per year?
Darlington conducted 6,828 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 569 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Darlington a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 49.2%, Darlington 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 Darlington?
Based on 2024-25 data, Apr had the highest pass rate at 54.9%. 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 Darlington?
Female candidates outperform males at Darlington, passing at 50.4% compared to 48.4% 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
Darlington pass rate over 16 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 557 | 306 | 54.9% | 51.5% | 60.6% |
| May | 448 | 239 | 53.3% | 57.2% | 47.1% |
| Jun | 626 | 339 | 54.2% | 52.1% | 57.6% |
| Jul | 677 | 330 | 48.7% | 45.8% | 53.2% |
| Aug | 492 | 251 | 51.0% | 48.9% | 54.6% |
| Sep | 538 | 255 | 47.4% | 47.1% | 47.9% |
| Oct | 713 | 349 | 48.9% | 48.0% | 50.6% |
| Nov | 672 | 289 | 43.0% | 42.3% | 44.3% |
| Dec | 455 | 229 | 50.3% | 51.4% | 48.5% |
| Jan | 539 | 262 | 48.6% | 48.7% | 48.5% |
| Feb | 467 | 221 | 47.3% | 45.8% | 49.7% |
| Mar | 644 | 287 | 44.6% | 45.9% | 42.2% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 2pp higher rate than male candidates at Darlington.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Darlington? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 3,478 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Darlington with 64.7% from 1208 tests, while 23-year-olds have the lowest at 44.0%. This is unusual. Nationally, 17-year-olds often have lower pass rates due to less driving experience. The 20.7 percentage point gap between the best and worst age groups is significant.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 1,208 | 64.7% | 65.6% | 63.6% |
| 18 | 681 | 53.9% | 53.1% | 54.7% |
| 19 | 305 | 53.1% | 56.1% | 50.0% |
| 20 | 224 | 51.8% | 56.1% | 46.5% |
| 21 | 236 | 55.9% | 54.5% | 57.7% |
| 22 | 182 | 51.6% | 44.9% | 61.3% |
| 23 | 232 | 44.0% | 43.4% | 44.8% |
| 24 | 214 | 46.7% | 45.7% | 48.6% |
| 25 | 196 | 45.4% | 46.9% | 42.4% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Darlington, the automatic test pass rate is 43.6%, which is 5.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 49.2%. With 1,553 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 44.7% compared to 42.5% for males.