Whitby Driving Test Centre
· North Yorkshire
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Key Statistics
Getting to Whitby
Whitby driving test centre is at Unit F11, St Hilda's Business Centre, Green Lane, Whitby YO22 4ET. The business centre is on the south side of town, off the A171. If you are coming from Scarborough, follow the A171 into Whitby and turn onto Green Lane near the roundabout. The unit is inside the business centre and has some parking available.
Whitby is a smaller centre, so test slots can be harder to come by. If you are travelling by public transport, local bus services from Scarborough and Middlesbrough stop in the town centre, and it is a short walk from there. Arrive about ten minutes before your test and bring your photocard provisional licence.
About Whitby Test Centre
Whitby is a DVSA driving test centre located in North Yorkshire. With a current pass rate of 65.1%, it is above the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 513 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Whitby, 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 YO21 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Whitby 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 Whitby 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 43 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 Whitby stands at 65.1%, which is above the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has improved significantly over the last three years, rising 12.9 percentage points.
Male candidates have a 1.7 percentage point advantage at Whitby, passing at 65.9% compared to 64.2% for female candidates.
The highest pass rate recorded at Whitby was 73.2% in 2015-16, while the lowest was 51.3% in 2007-08.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Sep at 74.2%, while the lowest was in Apr at 56.5%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
Whitby Historical Performance
Our records for Whitby begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 51.3% from 873 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 73.2%, and it now sits at 65.1%.
Test volumes at Whitby have decreased 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 Whitby
Based on the data we hold for Whitby, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Whitby, pass rates in Sep (74.2%) are notably higher than in Apr (56.5%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Take advantage of availability. Whitby 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 Whitby. 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 Whitby, 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 Whitby 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 Whitby?
The current pass rate at Whitby is 65.1%, based on 513 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is above the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Whitby conduct per year?
Whitby conducted 513 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 43 per month. This makes it one of the quieter centres in the UK.
Is Whitby a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 65.1%, Whitby 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 Whitby?
Based on 2024-25 data, Sep had the highest pass rate at 74.2%. 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 Whitby?
Male candidates have a 1.7 percentage point advantage at Whitby, passing at 65.9% compared to 64.2% for female candidates. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Whitby pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 23 | 13 | 56.5% | 75.0% | 46.7% |
| Jun | 52 | 31 | 59.6% | 55.6% | 64.0% |
| Jul | 54 | 38 | 70.4% | 67.9% | 73.1% |
| Sep | 31 | 23 | 74.2% | 78.6% | 70.6% |
| Oct | 85 | 49 | 57.6% | 57.8% | 57.5% |
| Nov | 40 | 26 | 65.0% | 72.7% | 55.6% |
| Dec | 47 | 33 | 70.2% | 63.0% | 80.0% |
| Jan | 52 | 35 | 67.3% | 70.4% | 64.0% |
| Feb | 44 | 29 | 65.9% | 65.4% | 66.7% |
| Mar | 41 | 29 | 70.7% | 65.0% | 76.2% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 1.7pp higher rate than female candidates at Whitby.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Whitby? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 320 of the tests conducted here.
23-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Whitby with 78.3% from 23 tests, while 18-year-olds have the lowest at 62.5%.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 158 | 74.7% | 80.6% | 69.8% |
| 18 | 96 | 62.5% | 65.5% | 58.5% |
| 19 | 43 | 62.8% | 68.2% | 57.1% |
| 20 | 0 | 85.0% | 71.4% | 92.3% |
| 21 | 0 | 53.8% | 66.7% | 50.0% |
| 22 | 0 | 45.5% | 57.1% | 25.0% |
| 23 | 23 | 78.3% | 78.6% | 77.8% |
| 24 | 0 | 64.3% | 70.0% | 50.0% |
| 25 | 0 | 61.5% | 66.7% | 57.1% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Whitby, the automatic test pass rate is 59.5%, which is 5.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 65.1%. 37 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 63.6% compared to 53.3% for males.