NorthamptonDriving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Routes
In 2025/26, DVSA examiners at Northampton conducted 13,539 car practical tests and 7,050 candidates passed: a 52.1% pass rate, +2.1 points against the Great Britain average of 50.0%. That ranks 115 of 267 centres and 11 of 20 in East Midlands.
Practise Northampton routes in the app
Driving Routes UK guides you round 20 practice routes near Northampton with spoken directions, so you can drive the local roundabouts, junctions and speed changes before test day.
Northampton pass rate in 2025/26
Pass rate trend at Northampton
From 2021/22 to 2025/26 the pass rate rose from 47.8% to 52.1% (+4.3 points). Test volumes changed too, from 9,732 to 13,539 tests a year.
| Year (Apr–Mar) | Tests | Passes | Northampton | GB average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 9,732 | 4,656 | 47.8% | 48.9% |
| 2022/23 | 11,804 | 5,629 | 47.7% | 48.4% |
| 2023/24 | 12,392 | 6,103 | 49.2% | 47.9% |
| 2024/25 | 12,825 | 6,464 | 50.4% | 48.7% |
| 2025/26 | 13,539 | 7,050 | 52.1% | 50.0% |
Month by month, 2025/26
The strongest month was June 2025 (54.1% from 1,004 tests) and the weakest was October 2025 (48%). Monthly rates move with small samples, so treat single months with caution.
Test centres near Northampton
Distances are straight-line from the centre location. Pass rates are DVSA figures for 2025/26. The closest with a noticeably higher rate is Wellingborough (15 km, 60%).
What the test at Northampton 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 Northampton driving test centre?
- DVSA figures for 2025/26 show 7,050 passes from 13,539 car practical tests at Northampton, a pass rate of 52.1%, above the Great Britain average of 50.0% for the same year.
- How many people pass first time at Northampton?
- 3,571 of 6,892 first attempts passed in 2025/26 (51.8%). 335 learners passed their first test with zero driving faults.
- Is there an easier test centre near Northampton?
- The nearest centre with a noticeably higher pass rate is Wellingborough, about 15 km away, at 60% 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 Northampton?
- The Driving Routes UK app has 20 practice route patterns around Northampton. 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.