Louth Driving Test Centre
· Lincolnshire
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Key Statistics
Getting to Louth
Louth driving test centre operates from the Meridian Leisure Centre, Wood Lane, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 8RS. The leisure centre is on the eastern edge of town, just off the A16. From the A16 bypass, take the turning for Wood Lane and the leisure centre car park is well signposted. The DVSA uses part of the leisure centre site, so do not be surprised to see swimmers and gym-goers around when you arrive.
There is plenty of free parking at the leisure centre, which takes the stress out of finding a space. Louth does not have a railway station, so most candidates arrive by car with their instructor. Stagecoach buses serve the town from Lincoln and Grimsby if you need public transport. The surrounding roads are a mixture of quiet residential streets and busier A-roads. Aim to arrive about ten minutes before your test time.
About Louth Test Centre
Louth is a DVSA driving test centre located in Lincolnshire. With a current pass rate of 54.4%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 829 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
DrivingData UK holds 14 years of historical data for Louth, stretching back to 2011-12. 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 192 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the LN11 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Louth test centre serves candidates from Lincolnshire 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 Louth will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Lincolnshire 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 69 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 Louth stands at 54.4%, which is close to the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined slightly over the last three years, dropping 2.4 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Louth, passing at 57.0% compared to 52.3% for male candidates, a 4.7 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Louth was 61.0% in 2020-21, while the lowest was 53.9% in 2017-18.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Apr at 72.5%, while the lowest was in Oct at 44.7%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Louth Historical Performance
Our records for Louth begin in the 2011-12 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 59.7% from 645 tests. By 2018-19, the rate had fallen to 56.4%, and it now sits at 54.4%.
Test volumes at Louth have grown over this period, rising from 645 to 829 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 Louth
Based on the data we hold for Louth, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Louth, pass rates in Apr (72.5%) are notably higher than in Oct (44.7%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- The gender gap favours female candidates here. Women pass at 57.0% compared to 52.3% for men. This is unusual nationally and may reflect the local road conditions.
- Take advantage of availability. Louth 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 Louth. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Lincolnshire area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Louth, 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 Louth have dipped recently, but this reflects candidate cohort changes as much as test difficulty. Your preparation matters far more than statistical trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pass rate at Louth?
The current pass rate at Louth is 54.4%, based on 829 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Louth conduct per year?
Louth conducted 829 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 69 per month. This makes it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
Is Louth a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 54.4%, Louth 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 Louth?
Based on 2024-25 data, Apr had the highest pass rate at 72.5%. 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 Louth?
Female candidates outperform males at Louth, passing at 57.0% compared to 52.3% for male candidates, a 4.7 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Louth pass rate over 14 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 40 | 29 | 72.5% | 84.2% | 61.9% |
| May | 49 | 29 | 59.2% | 60.9% | 57.7% |
| Jun | 85 | 39 | 45.9% | 44.7% | 47.4% |
| Jul | 51 | 31 | 60.8% | 56.0% | 65.4% |
| Aug | 84 | 53 | 63.1% | 54.3% | 73.7% |
| Sep | 71 | 46 | 64.8% | 60.6% | 68.4% |
| Oct | 94 | 42 | 44.7% | 42.6% | 48.5% |
| Nov | 83 | 43 | 51.8% | 56.6% | 43.3% |
| Dec | 47 | 21 | 44.7% | 48.3% | 38.9% |
| Jan | 106 | 56 | 52.8% | 45.9% | 62.2% |
| Feb | 70 | 36 | 51.4% | 47.1% | 55.6% |
| Mar | 49 | 26 | 53.1% | 58.3% | 48.0% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 4.7pp higher rate than male candidates at Louth.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Louth? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 558 of the tests conducted here.
22-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Louth with 75.0% from 32 tests, while 20-year-olds have the lowest at 48.8%. The 26.2 percentage point gap between the best and worst age groups is significant.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 244 | 63.9% | 61.8% | 66.1% |
| 18 | 162 | 51.9% | 54.2% | 50.0% |
| 19 | 41 | 53.7% | 51.7% | 58.3% |
| 20 | 41 | 48.8% | 45.8% | 52.9% |
| 21 | 38 | 60.5% | 57.1% | 64.7% |
| 22 | 32 | 75.0% | 68.2% | 90.0% |
| 23 | 0 | 40.0% | 29.4% | 0.0% |
| 24 | 0 | 42.1% | 63.6% | 12.5% |
| 25 | 0 | 58.3% | 50.0% | 75.0% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Louth, the automatic test pass rate is 38.3%, which is 16.1 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 54.4%. 107 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 47.3% compared to 28.8% for males.