Loughborough Driving Test Centre
· Leicestershire
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Key Statistics
Getting to Loughborough
Loughborough driving test centre is at the Ark Business Centre, Gordon Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1JP. The centre is close to the town centre, just off the A6 Derby Road. From the M1, leave at Junction 23 and follow the A512 into Loughborough, then pick up signs for the town centre. Gordon Road is a short side street, so using the postcode in your sat nav will help you find it first time.
Parking is available near the centre, though spaces can be limited on busy days. Loughborough railway station is less than half a mile away on Nottingham Road, making it an easy walk. Arriva and Kinchbus services run frequently through the town centre too. The roads around the test centre mix residential streets with busier junctions, so the drive in gives you a useful preview. Arrive ten minutes early to stay relaxed.
About Loughborough Test Centre
Loughborough is a DVSA driving test centre located in Leicestershire. With a current pass rate of 43.7%, it is below the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 5,769 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Loughborough, 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 880 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the LE11 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Loughborough test centre serves candidates from Leicestershire 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 Loughborough will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Leicestershire 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 481 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Loughborough stands at 43.7%, which is below the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has remained relatively stable over the last three years.
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Loughborough, with less than a percentage point between them.
The highest pass rate recorded at Loughborough was 55.7% in 2016-17, while the lowest was 40.6% in 2023-24.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Sep at 49.6%, while the lowest was in Jun at 40.6%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Loughborough Historical Performance
Our records for Loughborough begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 43.0% from 5,532 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 52.1%, and it now sits at 43.7%.
Test volumes at Loughborough have remained broadly stable over this period. 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 Loughborough
Based on the data we hold for Loughborough, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Loughborough, pass rates in Sep (49.6%) are notably higher than in Jun (40.6%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Loughborough. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Leicestershire area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Loughborough, 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 Loughborough 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 Loughborough?
The current pass rate at Loughborough is 43.7%, based on 5,769 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is below the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Loughborough conduct per year?
Loughborough conducted 5,769 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 481 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Loughborough a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 43.7%, Loughborough 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 Loughborough?
Based on 2024-25 data, Sep had the highest pass rate at 49.6%. 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 Loughborough?
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Loughborough, with less than a percentage point between them. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Loughborough pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 396 | 169 | 42.7% | 45.4% | 39.8% |
| May | 526 | 240 | 45.6% | 45.1% | 46.3% |
| Jun | 424 | 172 | 40.6% | 41.5% | 39.5% |
| Jul | 454 | 186 | 41.0% | 40.5% | 41.5% |
| Aug | 360 | 163 | 45.3% | 44.8% | 45.8% |
| Sep | 383 | 190 | 49.6% | 47.1% | 52.5% |
| Oct | 552 | 246 | 44.6% | 46.5% | 42.3% |
| Nov | 473 | 234 | 49.5% | 49.5% | 49.5% |
| Dec | 507 | 216 | 42.6% | 40.7% | 44.9% |
| Jan | 516 | 215 | 41.7% | 40.5% | 43.1% |
| Feb | 545 | 225 | 41.3% | 44.2% | 36.7% |
| Mar | 633 | 264 | 41.7% | 43.5% | 39.1% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 0.9pp higher rate than female candidates at Loughborough.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Loughborough? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 4,117 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Loughborough with 55.3% from 1098 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 42.2%. 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 | 1,098 | 55.3% | 55.6% | 54.9% |
| 18 | 852 | 47.2% | 45.7% | 48.9% |
| 19 | 506 | 45.1% | 43.1% | 47.8% |
| 20 | 420 | 47.6% | 51.1% | 43.4% |
| 21 | 385 | 42.6% | 43.4% | 41.8% |
| 22 | 323 | 44.0% | 46.6% | 40.2% |
| 23 | 190 | 47.4% | 46.2% | 49.3% |
| 24 | 177 | 43.5% | 43.4% | 43.8% |
| 25 | 166 | 42.2% | 36.3% | 49.3% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Loughborough, the automatic test pass rate is 33.6%, which is 10.1 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 43.7%. With 938 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.
Male automatic candidates pass at 34.9% compared to 32.6% for females.