Swansea Driving Test Centre
· Abertawe - Swansea
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Key Statistics
Getting to Swansea
The Swansea driving test centre is on Burrows Road, off Langdon Road, Kings Dock, St Thomas, Swansea SA1 8QY. It is in the SA1 waterfront area on the east side of the city centre, near the old docks. From the A483 Fabian Way, follow signs for SA1 and Kings Dock, then turn onto Langdon Road and look for Burrows Road.
Swansea railway station is about a mile to the west, which is a manageable walk or a quick bus ride. Several bus routes serve the SA1 area. There is parking nearby, though the waterfront can get busy during the day. The centre is close to the LC leisure centre and the marina, so it is a well-known part of town that most people can find easily.
About Swansea Test Centre
Swansea is a DVSA driving test centre located in Abertawe - Swansea. With a current pass rate of 52.1%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 10,590 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a very busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 14 years of historical data for Swansea, stretching back to 2009-10. 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 452 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the SA1 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Swansea test centre serves candidates from Abertawe - Swansea 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 Swansea will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Abertawe - Swansea 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 883 tests per month on average, so expect a busy waiting room at peak times.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Swansea stands at 52.1%, which is close to the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has remained relatively stable over the last three years.
Female candidates outperform males at Swansea, passing at 53.3% compared to 51.3% for male candidates, a 2.0 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Swansea was 53.4% in 2014-15, while the lowest was 48.9% in 2017-18.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Apr at 56.1%, while the lowest was in Jan at 47.2%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Swansea Historical Performance
Our records for Swansea begin in the 2009-10 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 51.2% from 6,469 tests. By 2017-18, the rate had fallen to 48.9%, and it now sits at 52.1%.
Test volumes at Swansea have grown over this period, rising from 6,469 to 10,590 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 Swansea
Based on the data we hold for Swansea, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Swansea, pass rates in Apr (56.1%) are notably higher than in Jan (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 Swansea. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Abertawe - Swansea area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Swansea, 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 Swansea 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 Swansea?
The current pass rate at Swansea is 52.1%, based on 10,590 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Swansea conduct per year?
Swansea conducted 10,590 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 883 per month. This makes it a very busy centre.
Is Swansea a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 52.1%, Swansea 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 Swansea?
Based on 2024-25 data, Apr had the highest pass rate at 56.1%. 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 Swansea?
Female candidates outperform males at Swansea, passing at 53.3% compared to 51.3% for male candidates, a 2.0 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Swansea pass rate over 14 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 932 | 523 | 56.1% | 58.5% | 53.3% |
| May | 947 | 514 | 54.3% | 50.6% | 59.5% |
| Jun | 1,046 | 553 | 52.9% | 52.7% | 53.1% |
| Jul | 1,081 | 548 | 50.7% | 48.2% | 54.3% |
| Aug | 1,072 | 552 | 51.5% | 50.6% | 52.8% |
| Sep | 940 | 490 | 52.1% | 52.5% | 51.6% |
| Oct | 836 | 435 | 52.0% | 51.8% | 52.3% |
| Nov | 766 | 404 | 52.7% | 53.6% | 51.6% |
| Dec | 838 | 425 | 50.7% | 50.4% | 51.1% |
| Jan | 759 | 358 | 47.2% | 44.7% | 50.6% |
| Feb | 623 | 320 | 51.4% | 51.0% | 51.8% |
| Mar | 750 | 399 | 53.2% | 51.1% | 55.8% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 2pp higher rate than male candidates at Swansea.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Swansea? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 5,869 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Swansea with 68.2% from 1949 tests, while 23-year-olds have the lowest at 53.2%. 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 | 1,949 | 68.2% | 69.5% | 66.8% |
| 18 | 974 | 58.0% | 60.7% | 55.5% |
| 19 | 587 | 57.2% | 60.1% | 54.2% |
| 20 | 452 | 58.2% | 56.5% | 59.9% |
| 21 | 491 | 56.0% | 57.8% | 54.0% |
| 22 | 366 | 57.7% | 52.9% | 64.8% |
| 23 | 361 | 53.2% | 51.7% | 55.1% |
| 24 | 347 | 55.3% | 50.0% | 63.5% |
| 25 | 342 | 53.5% | 54.0% | 52.9% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Swansea, the automatic test pass rate is 42.3%, which is 9.8 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 52.1%. With 2,452 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 43.4% compared to 40.6% for males.