York Driving Test Centre
· Lancashire
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Key Statistics
Getting to York
York driving test centre is at Arabesque House, Unit 2, Monks Cross Drive, Huntington, York YO32 9GW. It is on the north-east side of the city, near the Monks Cross retail park. If you are driving, follow the A1237 outer ring road and turn off at the Monks Cross junction. Monks Cross Drive is well signposted and there is parking available at the centre.
By bus, several routes from York city centre serve the Monks Cross area, making it one of the easier out-of-town centres to reach by public transport. The surrounding roads include a mix of dual carriageways, residential streets and roundabouts. Arrive around ten minutes before your appointment with your photocard provisional licence.
About York Test Centre
York is a DVSA driving test centre located in Lancashire. With a current pass rate of 51.3%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 7,121 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a moderately busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 17 years of historical data for York, 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 409 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the BB6 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
York test centre serves candidates from Lancashire 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 York will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the Lancashire 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 593 tests per month on average.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at York stands at 51.3%, 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 2.0 percentage points.
Male candidates have a 1.5 percentage point advantage at York, passing at 52.0% compared to 50.5% for female candidates.
The highest pass rate recorded at York was 57.2% in 2013-14, while the lowest was 49.3% in 2007-08.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Mar at 57.0%, while the lowest was in Oct at 45.6%. This significant monthly variation suggests that timing your test could make a meaningful difference.
York Historical Performance
Our records for York begin in the 2007-08 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 49.3% from 7,520 tests. By 2015-16, the rate had risen to 54.5%, and it now sits at 51.3%.
Test volumes at York 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 York
Based on the data we hold for York, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At York, pass rates in Mar (57.0%) are notably higher than in Oct (45.6%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around York. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the Lancashire area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to York, 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 York 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 York 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 York?
The current pass rate at York is 51.3%, based on 7,121 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does York conduct per year?
York conducted 7,121 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 593 per month. This makes it a moderately busy centre.
Is York a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 51.3%, York 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 York?
Based on 2024-25 data, Mar had the highest pass rate at 57.0%. 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 York?
Male candidates have a 1.5 percentage point advantage at York, passing at 52.0% compared to 50.5% for female candidates. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
York pass rate over 17 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 604 | 316 | 52.3% | 55.4% | 48.7% |
| May | 665 | 346 | 52.0% | 55.0% | 49.4% |
| Jun | 532 | 278 | 52.3% | 54.7% | 50.0% |
| Jul | 535 | 294 | 55.0% | 56.7% | 53.2% |
| Aug | 542 | 283 | 52.2% | 50.9% | 53.7% |
| Sep | 519 | 255 | 49.1% | 49.6% | 48.6% |
| Oct | 712 | 325 | 45.6% | 47.1% | 44.0% |
| Nov | 610 | 297 | 48.7% | 45.3% | 52.2% |
| Dec | 524 | 280 | 53.4% | 53.4% | 53.4% |
| Jan | 612 | 302 | 49.3% | 49.7% | 49.0% |
| Feb | 599 | 295 | 49.2% | 51.2% | 47.3% |
| Mar | 667 | 380 | 57.0% | 56.7% | 57.3% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 1.5pp higher rate than female candidates at York.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at York? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 5,046 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at York with 58.9% from 1854 tests, while 19-year-olds have the lowest at 47.5%. 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 | 1,854 | 58.9% | 59.6% | 58.2% |
| 18 | 940 | 53.6% | 54.5% | 52.7% |
| 19 | 558 | 47.5% | 48.9% | 46.1% |
| 20 | 389 | 50.4% | 53.4% | 47.9% |
| 21 | 393 | 53.4% | 61.0% | 48.3% |
| 22 | 351 | 48.7% | 50.6% | 47.2% |
| 23 | 220 | 55.0% | 50.0% | 59.8% |
| 24 | 184 | 57.6% | 48.5% | 67.8% |
| 25 | 157 | 53.5% | 54.1% | 52.8% |
Automatic vs Manual
At York, the automatic test pass rate is 46.2%, which is 5.1 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 51.3%. With 1,047 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 46.5% compared to 45.9% for males.