Nottingham (Colwick) Driving Test Centre
· City of Nottingham
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Key Statistics
Getting to Nottingham (Colwick)
Nottingham (Beeston) driving test centre is at Unit 24, Eldon Business Park, Eldon Road, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, NG9 6DZ. The centre is on a small business park in Beeston, southwest of Nottingham city centre. Put the postcode into your sat nav and look for the Eldon Business Park entrance off Eldon Road.
There is parking on site, and your instructor will know exactly where to pull in. Beeston railway station is a short walk away if you are using public transport, and the area is well served by local buses and the Nottingham tram network. The roads around Beeston offer a good mix of residential streets and busier junctions, giving you a realistic preview of your test.
About Nottingham (Beeston) Test Centre
Nottingham (Beeston) is a DVSA driving test centre located in City of Nottingham. With a current pass rate of 45.5%, it is below the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 11,849 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a very busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 15 years of historical data for Nottingham (Beeston), stretching back to 2008-09. 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 804 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the NG1 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Nottingham (Beeston) test centre serves candidates from City of Nottingham 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 Nottingham (Beeston) will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the City of Nottingham 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 987 tests per month on average, so expect a busy waiting room at peak times.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Nottingham (Beeston) stands at 45.5%, which is below the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined slightly over the last three years, dropping 2.2 percentage points.
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Nottingham (Beeston), with less than a percentage point between them.
The highest pass rate recorded at Nottingham (Beeston) was 49.1% in 2011-12, while the lowest was 40.6% in 2008-09.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Dec at 48.8%, while the lowest was in May at 42.3%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Nottingham (Beeston) Historical Performance
Our records for Nottingham (Beeston) begin in the 2008-09 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 40.6% from 7,140 tests. By 2016-17, the rate had risen to 48.5%, and it now sits at 45.5%.
Test volumes at Nottingham (Beeston) have grown over this period, rising from 7,140 to 11,849 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 Nottingham (Beeston)
Based on the data we hold for Nottingham (Beeston), here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Nottingham (Beeston), pass rates in Dec (48.8%) are notably higher than in May (42.3%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Nottingham (Beeston). Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the City of Nottingham area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Nottingham (Beeston), 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 Nottingham (Beeston) 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 Nottingham (Beeston) 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 Nottingham (Beeston)?
The current pass rate at Nottingham (Beeston) is 45.5%, based on 11,849 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is below the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Nottingham (Beeston) conduct per year?
Nottingham (Beeston) conducted 11,849 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 987 per month. This makes it a very busy centre.
Is Nottingham (Beeston) a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 45.5%, Nottingham (Beeston) 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 Nottingham (Beeston)?
Based on 2024-25 data, Dec had the highest pass rate at 48.8%. 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 Nottingham (Beeston)?
Male and female candidates perform almost identically at Nottingham (Beeston), 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
Nottingham (Colwick) pass rate over 15 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 733 | 323 | 44.1% | 45.2% | 42.6% |
| May | 851 | 360 | 42.3% | 42.8% | 41.7% |
| Jun | 852 | 381 | 44.7% | 43.8% | 45.9% |
| Jul | 877 | 396 | 45.2% | 45.8% | 44.4% |
| Aug | 715 | 321 | 44.9% | 44.4% | 45.6% |
| Sep | 922 | 440 | 47.7% | 49.9% | 44.8% |
| Oct | 1,168 | 547 | 46.8% | 45.3% | 49.0% |
| Nov | 1,197 | 543 | 45.4% | 44.9% | 46.1% |
| Dec | 926 | 452 | 48.8% | 47.2% | 50.7% |
| Jan | 1,396 | 613 | 43.9% | 41.5% | 47.6% |
| Feb | 1,117 | 507 | 45.4% | 46.5% | 43.6% |
| Mar | 1,095 | 512 | 46.8% | 47.8% | 45.3% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 0.5pp higher rate than male candidates at Nottingham (Colwick).
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Nottingham (Colwick)? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 436.752 of the tests conducted here.
18-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Nottingham (Colwick) with 1293.0% from 51.36363636363636 tests, while 25-year-olds have the lowest at 337.0%. The 956.0 percentage point gap between the best and worst age groups is significant.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 52 | 1213.0% | 59.9% | 299.0% |
| 18 | 51.364 | 1293.0% | 55.5% | 339.0% |
| 19 | 45.802 | 753.0% | 51.1% | 180.0% |
| 20 | 52.597 | 594.0% | 51.4% | 162.0% |
| 21 | 51.971 | 491.0% | 54.2% | 145.0% |
| 22 | 48.627 | 463.0% | 49.0% | 124.0% |
| 23 | 49.573 | 392.0% | 55.7% | 116.0% |
| 24 | 45.045 | 380.0% | 58.9% | 100.0% |
| 25 | 39.773 | 337.0% | 50.3% | 70.0% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Nottingham (Colwick), the automatic test pass rate is 43.1%, which is 2.4 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 45.5%. 357 automatic tests were conducted here in the latest year.
Male automatic candidates pass at 48.2% compared to 41.5% for females.