Kendal (Oxenholme Road) Driving Test Centre
· Westmorland and Furness
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Key Statistics
Getting to Kendal (Oxenholme Road)
Kendal driving test centre is at the Lake District National Park Authority offices, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RL. The centre is on the southern edge of Kendal, a short distance from the town centre. Use the postcode in your sat nav and follow Oxenholme Road until you see the Murley Moss site. The building does not open until 9am, so if you have an earlier test the examiner will meet you at your car.
There are designated parking bays for driving tests, and when you arrive you should wait in the Head Office reception area. The roads around Kendal include hilly lanes and busier stretches, giving you a taste of what to expect. Bring your provisional photocard licence, as you will need it before you can begin.
About Kendal Test Centre
Kendal is a DVSA driving test centre located in Westmorland and Furness. With a current pass rate of 64.8%, it is above the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 2,149 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a relatively quiet centre.
DrivingData UK holds 10 years of historical data for Kendal, stretching back to 2014-15. 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 153 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the LA9 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Kendal test centre serves candidates from Westmorland and Furness 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 Kendal will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Westmorland and Furness 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 179 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 Kendal stands at 64.8%, which is above the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined slightly over the last three years, dropping 3.5 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Kendal, passing at 66.0% compared to 64.0% for male candidates, a 2.0 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Kendal was 68.3% in 2022-23, while the lowest was 62.6% in 2017-18.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Jul at 68.5%, while the lowest was in Oct at 60.3%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Kendal Historical Performance
Our records for Kendal begin in the 2014-15 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 65.5% from 29 tests. By 2019-20, the rate had fallen to 63.1%, and it now sits at 64.8%.
Test volumes at Kendal have grown over this period, rising from 29 to 2,149 tests per year.
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 Kendal
Based on the data we hold for Kendal, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Kendal, pass rates in Jul (68.5%) are notably higher than in Oct (60.3%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Take advantage of availability. Kendal 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 Kendal. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Westmorland and Furness area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Kendal, 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 Kendal 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 Kendal 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 Kendal?
The current pass rate at Kendal is 64.8%, based on 2,149 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is above the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Kendal conduct per year?
Kendal conducted 2,149 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 179 per month. This makes it a relatively quiet centre.
Is Kendal a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 64.8%, Kendal 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 Kendal?
Based on 2024-25 data, Jul had the highest pass rate at 68.5%. 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 Kendal?
Female candidates outperform males at Kendal, passing at 66.0% compared to 64.0% 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
Kendal (Oxenholme Road) pass rate over 10 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 129 | 87 | 67.4% | 67.1% | 67.9% |
| May | 178 | 118 | 66.3% | 64.8% | 68.5% |
| Jun | 185 | 122 | 65.9% | 60.6% | 71.4% |
| Jul | 89 | 61 | 68.5% | 59.6% | 78.6% |
| Aug | 124 | 84 | 67.7% | 71.0% | 63.6% |
| Sep | 130 | 88 | 67.7% | 72.6% | 61.4% |
| Oct | 237 | 143 | 60.3% | 56.5% | 67.5% |
| Nov | 222 | 141 | 63.5% | 63.7% | 63.2% |
| Dec | 174 | 117 | 67.2% | 69.7% | 64.0% |
| Jan | 224 | 139 | 62.1% | 63.3% | 59.7% |
| Feb | 207 | 128 | 61.8% | 60.5% | 63.4% |
| Mar | 250 | 165 | 66.0% | 65.6% | 66.7% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 2pp higher rate than male candidates at Kendal (Oxenholme Road).
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Kendal (Oxenholme Road)? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 1,533 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Kendal (Oxenholme Road) with 73.9% from 762 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 51.6%. This is unusual. Nationally, 17-year-olds often have lower pass rates due to less driving experience. The 22.3 percentage point gap between the best and worst age groups is significant.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 762 | 73.9% | 73.3% | 74.6% |
| 18 | 271 | 68.3% | 67.2% | 69.4% |
| 19 | 88 | 71.6% | 81.8% | 54.5% |
| 20 | 72 | 63.9% | 60.5% | 67.6% |
| 21 | 73 | 61.6% | 62.5% | 60.0% |
| 22 | 70 | 55.7% | 52.4% | 60.7% |
| 23 | 68 | 64.7% | 65.1% | 64.0% |
| 24 | 65 | 55.4% | 51.4% | 60.7% |
| 25 | 64 | 51.6% | 43.8% | 75.0% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Kendal (Oxenholme Road), the automatic test pass rate is 58.9%, which is 5.9 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 64.8%. 265 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.
Male automatic candidates pass at 59.1% compared to 58.7% for females.