Scarborough Driving Test Centre
· North Yorkshire
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Key Statistics
Getting to Scarborough
Scarborough driving test centre is on Cayton Low Road, Eastfield, Scarborough YO11 3BY. It is on the southern edge of town in the Eastfield area, easily reached from the A64. Use the postcode in your sat nav and you should find it without any issues. There is parking available at the centre, making drop-off and collection nice and easy for your instructor.
The local roads around Eastfield include a mixture of residential streets, roundabouts and stretches of faster road, giving you a taste of what to expect on the test. Arrive about ten minutes before your slot so you have time to settle in. Bring your photocard provisional driving licence or your test will not go ahead.
About Scarborough Test Centre
Scarborough is a DVSA driving test centre located in North Yorkshire. With a current pass rate of 51.7%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 2,658 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a relatively quiet centre.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Scarborough, 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 316 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the YO11 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Scarborough test centre serves candidates from North Yorkshire 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 Scarborough will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the North Yorkshire 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 222 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 Scarborough stands at 51.7%, which is close to the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has improved significantly over the last three years, rising 5.9 percentage points.
Male candidates have a 3.6 percentage point advantage at Scarborough, passing at 53.4% compared to 49.8% for female candidates.
The highest pass rate recorded at Scarborough was 66.9% in 2016-17, while the lowest was 45.8% in 2022-23.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Nov at 58.2%, while the lowest was in Apr at 46.9%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Scarborough Historical Performance
Our records for Scarborough begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 47.8% from 2,227 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 59.7%, and it now sits at 51.7%.
Test volumes at Scarborough 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 Scarborough
Based on the data we hold for Scarborough, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Scarborough, pass rates in Nov (58.2%) are notably higher than in Apr (46.9%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Take advantage of availability. Scarborough 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 Scarborough. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the North Yorkshire area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Scarborough, 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 Scarborough 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 Scarborough?
The current pass rate at Scarborough is 51.7%, based on 2,658 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Scarborough conduct per year?
Scarborough conducted 2,658 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 222 per month. This makes it a relatively quiet centre.
Is Scarborough a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 51.7%, Scarborough 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 Scarborough?
Based on 2024-25 data, Nov had the highest pass rate at 58.2%. 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 Scarborough?
Male candidates have a 3.6 percentage point advantage at Scarborough, passing at 53.4% compared to 49.8% for female candidates. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Scarborough pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 262 | 123 | 46.9% | 50.0% | 43.7% |
| May | 221 | 104 | 47.1% | 51.3% | 42.6% |
| Jun | 181 | 103 | 56.9% | 49.4% | 64.1% |
| Jul | 222 | 119 | 53.6% | 61.6% | 45.5% |
| Aug | 170 | 96 | 56.5% | 53.8% | 58.7% |
| Sep | 196 | 101 | 51.5% | 63.0% | 39.6% |
| Oct | 218 | 106 | 48.6% | 53.2% | 43.9% |
| Nov | 194 | 113 | 58.2% | 58.8% | 57.6% |
| Dec | 165 | 85 | 51.5% | 55.2% | 47.4% |
| Jan | 286 | 144 | 50.3% | 49.0% | 51.8% |
| Feb | 231 | 122 | 52.8% | 51.1% | 55.4% |
| Mar | 312 | 159 | 51.0% | 51.0% | 51.0% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 3.6pp higher rate than female candidates at Scarborough.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Scarborough? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 1,614 of the tests conducted here.
18-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Scarborough with 58.1% from 315 tests, while 19-year-olds have the lowest at 44.5%.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 647 | 58.0% | 57.8% | 58.1% |
| 18 | 315 | 58.1% | 63.1% | 52.9% |
| 19 | 110 | 44.5% | 48.1% | 41.1% |
| 20 | 110 | 55.5% | 56.9% | 53.8% |
| 21 | 88 | 52.3% | 61.5% | 44.9% |
| 22 | 78 | 53.8% | 51.6% | 55.3% |
| 23 | 98 | 53.1% | 49.2% | 59.0% |
| 24 | 94 | 48.9% | 52.1% | 45.7% |
| 25 | 74 | 55.4% | 59.4% | 52.4% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Scarborough, the automatic test pass rate is 48.1%, which is 3.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 51.7%. 462 automatic tests were conducted here in the latest year.
Female automatic candidates pass at 48.2% compared to 47.8% for males.