Salisbury Driving Test Centre
· Wiltshire
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Key Statistics
Getting to Salisbury
Salisbury driving test centre is at Rougemont Close, Salisbury SP1 1LY. It is close to the city centre and easy to reach from the A36 or A30. The postcode works reliably in sat nav, though the close itself is fairly quiet so keep an eye out for the turning. Your instructor will almost certainly have been there many times before and can guide you in.
Parking is available in the area, and the surrounding roads offer a good range of conditions from narrow city streets to faster rural stretches. Arrive about ten minutes before your test to check in at the waiting area. Make sure you have your photocard provisional driving licence with you, as you cannot take the test without it.
About Salisbury Test Centre
Salisbury is a DVSA driving test centre located in Wiltshire. With a current pass rate of 52.5%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 5,624 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Salisbury, 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 188 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the SP1 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Salisbury test centre serves candidates from Wiltshire 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 Salisbury will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Wiltshire 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 469 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Salisbury stands at 52.5%, 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 3.7 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Salisbury, passing at 54.1% compared to 51.3% for male candidates, a 2.8 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Salisbury was 56.9% in 2018-19, while the lowest was 47.7% in 2008-09.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Sep at 63.3%, while the lowest was in Feb at 47.2%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Salisbury Historical Performance
Our records for Salisbury begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 48.3% from 3,415 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 52.0%, and it now sits at 52.5%.
Test volumes at Salisbury have grown over this period, rising from 3,415 to 5,624 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 Salisbury
Based on the data we hold for Salisbury, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Salisbury, pass rates in Sep (63.3%) are notably higher than in Feb (47.2%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Salisbury. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Wiltshire area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Salisbury, 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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury?
The current pass rate at Salisbury is 52.5%, based on 5,624 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Salisbury conduct per year?
Salisbury conducted 5,624 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 469 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is Salisbury a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 52.5%, Salisbury 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 Salisbury?
Based on 2024-25 data, Sep had the highest pass rate at 63.3%. 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 Salisbury?
Female candidates outperform males at Salisbury, passing at 54.1% compared to 51.3% for male candidates, a 2.8 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Salisbury pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 342 | 206 | 60.2% | 58.4% | 62.2% |
| May | 454 | 260 | 57.3% | 56.3% | 58.5% |
| Jun | 412 | 224 | 54.4% | 51.7% | 57.9% |
| Jul | 572 | 309 | 54.0% | 51.3% | 57.2% |
| Aug | 397 | 200 | 50.4% | 50.2% | 50.5% |
| Sep | 373 | 236 | 63.3% | 60.1% | 66.9% |
| Oct | 592 | 288 | 48.6% | 46.7% | 51.2% |
| Nov | 530 | 271 | 51.1% | 47.5% | 55.3% |
| Dec | 390 | 207 | 53.1% | 51.8% | 54.7% |
| Jan | 536 | 260 | 48.5% | 49.8% | 47.0% |
| Feb | 481 | 227 | 47.2% | 48.7% | 45.4% |
| Mar | 545 | 266 | 48.8% | 49.2% | 48.3% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 2.8pp higher rate than male candidates at Salisbury.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Salisbury? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 3,628 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Salisbury with 63.9% from 1467 tests, while 21-year-olds have the lowest at 48.3%. 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 | 1,467 | 63.9% | 64.1% | 63.6% |
| 18 | 757 | 57.1% | 55.5% | 58.6% |
| 19 | 367 | 54.8% | 52.2% | 57.8% |
| 20 | 228 | 56.6% | 53.6% | 60.2% |
| 21 | 203 | 48.3% | 45.7% | 52.6% |
| 22 | 158 | 52.5% | 52.4% | 52.7% |
| 23 | 150 | 55.3% | 59.3% | 52.7% |
| 24 | 148 | 54.1% | 50.6% | 58.7% |
| 25 | 150 | 52.0% | 51.1% | 53.3% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Salisbury, the automatic test pass rate is 41.5%, which is 11.0 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 52.5%. With 1,202 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.
Female automatic candidates pass at 44.0% compared to 38.1% for males.