Haddington Driving Test Centre
· East Lothian
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Key Statistics
Getting to Haddington
Haddington driving test centre is at Brewery Park, Hospital Road, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 3PP. The centre is a short drive from Haddington town centre and is easy to find if you follow Hospital Road. Pop the postcode into your sat nav and it will take you right there. The surrounding roads are a mix of residential streets and country lanes, which gives you a flavour of what to expect on your test routes.
There is parking available at Brewery Park for test candidates. The area around the centre is fairly quiet, so you should not have trouble finding a space. Aim to arrive around ten minutes before your slot and have your provisional photocard licence with you, as you will need it before you can start.
About Haddington Test Centre
Haddington is a DVSA driving test centre located in East Lothian. With a current pass rate of 62.2%, it is above the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 1,890 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Haddington, 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 561 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the EH41 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Haddington test centre serves candidates from East Lothian 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 Haddington will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the East Lothian 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 158 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 Haddington stands at 62.2%, which is above the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has improved significantly over the last three years, rising 7.6 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Haddington, passing at 63.2% compared to 61.2% for male candidates, a 2.0 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Haddington was 65.4% in 2017-18, while the lowest was 53.0% in 2007-08.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Sep at 71.6%, while the lowest was in Apr at 49.2%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Haddington Historical Performance
Our records for Haddington begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 53.0% from 1,247 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 56.5%, and it now sits at 62.2%.
Test volumes at Haddington have grown over this period, rising from 1,247 to 1,890 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 Haddington
Based on the data we hold for Haddington, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Haddington, pass rates in Sep (71.6%) are notably higher than in Apr (49.2%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Take advantage of availability. Haddington 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 Haddington. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the East Lothian area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Haddington, 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 Haddington 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 Haddington?
The current pass rate at Haddington is 62.2%, based on 1,890 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is above the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Haddington conduct per year?
Haddington conducted 1,890 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 158 per month. This makes it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
Is Haddington a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 62.2%, Haddington is a solid choice. 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 Haddington?
Based on 2024-25 data, Sep had the highest pass rate at 71.6%. 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 Haddington?
Female candidates outperform males at Haddington, passing at 63.2% compared to 61.2% 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
Haddington pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 128 | 63 | 49.2% | 51.5% | 46.8% |
| May | 141 | 96 | 68.1% | 66.7% | 69.0% |
| Jun | 160 | 92 | 57.5% | 56.6% | 58.3% |
| Jul | 179 | 124 | 69.3% | 68.8% | 69.6% |
| Aug | 171 | 116 | 67.8% | 67.8% | 67.9% |
| Sep | 141 | 101 | 71.6% | 69.6% | 74.2% |
| Oct | 163 | 112 | 68.7% | 68.1% | 69.1% |
| Nov | 172 | 97 | 56.4% | 55.3% | 57.7% |
| Dec | 124 | 69 | 55.6% | 63.9% | 47.6% |
| Jan | 145 | 83 | 57.2% | 54.2% | 60.3% |
| Feb | 184 | 109 | 59.2% | 54.4% | 65.4% |
| Mar | 182 | 113 | 62.1% | 60.6% | 64.1% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 2pp higher rate than male candidates at Haddington.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Haddington? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 1,328 of the tests conducted here.
23-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Haddington with 78.1% from 32 tests, while 24-year-olds have the lowest at 60.5%.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 615 | 68.0% | 67.8% | 68.2% |
| 18 | 270 | 66.7% | 66.2% | 67.2% |
| 19 | 122 | 64.8% | 63.9% | 65.6% |
| 20 | 79 | 64.6% | 62.3% | 69.2% |
| 21 | 78 | 61.5% | 64.1% | 59.0% |
| 22 | 52 | 75.0% | 60.7% | 91.7% |
| 23 | 32 | 78.1% | 68.8% | 87.5% |
| 24 | 38 | 60.5% | 66.7% | 55.0% |
| 25 | 42 | 69.0% | 68.0% | 70.6% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Haddington, the automatic test pass rate is 54.7%, which is 7.5 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 62.2%. 245 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 60.9% compared to 43.8% for males.