Manchester AthertonDriving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Routes
In 2025/26, DVSA examiners at Atherton (Manchester) conducted 13,035 car practical tests and 5,779 candidates passed: a 44.3% pass rate, -5.7 points against the Great Britain average of 50.0%. That ranks 231 of 267 centres and 26 of 31 in North West.
Practise Manchester Atherton routes in the app
Driving Routes UK guides you round 12 practice routes near Manchester Atherton with spoken directions, so you can drive the local roundabouts, junctions and speed changes before test day.
Manchester Atherton pass rate in 2025/26
Pass rate trend at Manchester Atherton
From 2021/22 to 2025/26 the pass rate fell from 49.9% to 44.3% (-5.6 points). Test volumes changed too, from 5,654 to 13,035 tests a year.
| Year (Apr–Mar) | Tests | Passes | Manchester Atherton | GB average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 5,654 | 2,823 | 49.9% | 48.9% |
| 2022/23 | 7,030 | 3,321 | 47.2% | 48.4% |
| 2023/24 | 6,918 | 3,065 | 44.3% | 47.9% |
| 2024/25 | 7,690 | 3,416 | 44.4% | 48.7% |
| 2025/26 | 13,035 | 5,779 | 44.3% | 50.0% |
Month by month, 2025/26
The strongest month was October 2025 (48.5% from 1,085 tests) and the weakest was April 2025 (40.6%). Monthly rates move with small samples, so treat single months with caution.
Test centres near Manchester Atherton
Distances are straight-line from the centre location. Pass rates are DVSA figures for 2025/26. The closest with a noticeably higher rate is Bolton (7 km, 51.8%).
What the test at Manchester Atherton involves
- About 40 minutes of driving, starting with an eyesight check and a “tell me” question.
- Around 20 minutes of independent driving, usually following a sat nav set by the examiner.
- One reversing manoeuvre: parallel park, bay park, or pull up on the right and reverse two car lengths.
- A “show me” question while you drive, and possibly an emergency stop.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the pass rate at Manchester Atherton driving test centre?
- DVSA figures for 2025/26 show 5,779 passes from 13,035 car practical tests at Atherton (Manchester), a pass rate of 44.3%, below the Great Britain average of 50.0% for the same year.
- How many people pass first time at Manchester Atherton?
- 2,573 of 5,708 first attempts passed in 2025/26 (45.1%). 75 learners passed their first test with zero driving faults.
- Is there an easier test centre near Manchester Atherton?
- The nearest centre with a noticeably higher pass rate is Bolton, about 7 km away, at 51.8% in 2025/26. Pass rates reflect who tests there as much as the roads, so practise the routes where you will actually take your test.
- How many practice routes are there for Manchester Atherton?
- The Driving Routes UK app has 12 practice route patterns around Manchester Atherton. They are compiled practice routes, not official DVSA routes; examiners change routes for traffic and roadworks.
Pass rates: DVSA, car driving test data by test centre (DRT122A/C/E, April 2025 to March 2026, published June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0. Practice routes are compiled by Driving Routes UK and are not official DVSA routes. Examiners vary routes for traffic and roadworks.