Workington Driving Test Centre
· Cumberland
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Key Statistics
Getting to Workington
Workington driving test centre is at Units 10-11, Moss Bay House, 40 Peart Road, Derwent Howe Industrial Estate, Workington CA14 3YT. The industrial estate is on the south side of town, near the river. If you are driving, follow the A597 through Workington and look for signs to Derwent Howe. Peart Road is inside the estate and the unit is well marked.
Public transport options are limited on the industrial estate itself, but buses from Workington town centre will get you fairly close. Most learners arrive with their instructor who will know the layout. It is a quieter centre, so test routes often head out into the surrounding Cumbrian roads. Arrive ten minutes early with your photocard provisional licence.
About Workington Test Centre
Workington is a DVSA driving test centre located in Cumberland. With a current pass rate of 48.3%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 3,015 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a relatively quiet centre.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for Workington, 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 163 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the CA14 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Workington test centre serves candidates from Cumberland 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 Workington will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Cumberland 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 251 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Workington stands at 48.3%, which is close to the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has declined notably over the last three years, falling 9.4 percentage points.
Female candidates outperform males at Workington, passing at 49.2% compared to 47.6% for male candidates, a 1.6 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Workington was 57.7% in 2022-23, while the lowest was 48.3% in 2024-25.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in May at 52.1%, while the lowest was in Mar at 45.1%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Workington Historical Performance
Our records for Workington begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 54.0% from 3,271 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had fallen to 54.0%, and it now sits at 48.3%.
Test volumes at Workington 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 Workington
Based on the data we hold for Workington, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Workington, pass rates in May (52.1%) are notably higher than in Mar (45.1%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Workington. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Cumberland area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Workington, 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 Workington 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 Workington 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 Workington?
The current pass rate at Workington is 48.3%, based on 3,015 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Workington conduct per year?
Workington conducted 3,015 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 251 per month. This makes it a relatively quiet centre.
Is Workington a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 48.3%, Workington 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 Workington?
Based on 2024-25 data, May had the highest pass rate at 52.1%. 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 Workington?
Female candidates outperform males at Workington, passing at 49.2% compared to 47.6% for male candidates, a 1.6 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Workington pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 310 | 158 | 51.0% | 50.3% | 51.7% |
| May | 307 | 160 | 52.1% | 50.5% | 54.4% |
| Jun | 252 | 115 | 45.6% | 47.0% | 44.2% |
| Jul | 309 | 148 | 47.9% | 43.4% | 53.7% |
| Aug | 285 | 139 | 48.8% | 48.8% | 48.8% |
| Sep | 290 | 144 | 49.7% | 52.8% | 45.7% |
| Oct | 287 | 137 | 47.7% | 49.7% | 45.5% |
| Nov | 195 | 92 | 47.2% | 48.4% | 44.9% |
| Dec | 142 | 69 | 48.6% | 48.7% | 48.5% |
| Jan | 214 | 99 | 46.3% | 44.6% | 48.0% |
| Feb | 218 | 101 | 46.3% | 41.9% | 53.7% |
| Mar | 206 | 93 | 45.1% | 42.4% | 49.4% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 1.6pp higher rate than male candidates at Workington.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Workington? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 2,001 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Workington with 61.1% from 810 tests, while 19-year-olds have the lowest at 41.5%. 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 | 810 | 61.1% | 63.6% | 58.7% |
| 18 | 428 | 50.5% | 48.6% | 53.1% |
| 19 | 193 | 41.5% | 47.7% | 33.7% |
| 20 | 136 | 44.1% | 41.6% | 47.5% |
| 21 | 109 | 55.0% | 56.7% | 53.1% |
| 22 | 88 | 44.3% | 44.7% | 43.9% |
| 23 | 95 | 47.4% | 43.6% | 50.0% |
| 24 | 68 | 54.4% | 51.4% | 57.6% |
| 25 | 74 | 43.2% | 39.6% | 52.4% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Workington, the automatic test pass rate is 35.7%, which is 12.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 48.3%. 431 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 36.3% compared to 34.8% for males.