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England · practical testing

Barnstaple
Driving test centre.

Official results, the context behind them and a practical way to plan your next step.

Find local tuition Compare this centre Official centre information
51.4%
All-car pass rate · 2025/26
5,562
Tests taken · 2025/26
8.0 weeks
Median completed wait
11.0 weeks
Forward availability measure

Results: official source tables. Waiting measures: August 2026, DRT122F. Missing values are not zero. Definitions and limitations.

The wider picture

Pass rates over time

Compare the same test group across published periods.

Period Tests Passes Pass rate
2020/21 851 510 59.9%
2021/22 3,044 1,682 55.3%
2022/23 3,221 1,749 54.3%
2023/24 3,842 2,108 54.9%
2024/25 3,583 1,961 54.7%
2025/26 5,562 2,859 51.4%

Candidate mix and repeated attempts affect these figures. The highest rate does not identify the easiest test for you.

Plan the practicalities

Before you book

  • Agree readiness and test-day car use with your instructor.
  • Check the current venue address, facilities and offered services.
  • Use the correct official booking service for your nation.
  • Check any support or adjustments before the appointment.
Check the official venue

A centre’s statistical name may not identify the latest building. Any address must be checked against your booking confirmation.

Two different measures

Understand the wait.

A completed wait describes past test takers. The availability measure describes the published booking outlook at that time.

Last 12 published months
Month Median completed wait Forward availability Completed within 7 weeks Completed after 21 weeks
September 2025 4.7 weeks 24.0 weeks 63.6% 7.8%
October 2025 5.0 weeks 23.8 weeks 59.0% 11.4%
November 2025 6.1 weeks 23.5 weeks 54.8% 16.2%
December 2025 6.7 weeks 23.4 weeks 53.2% 12.2%
January 2026 5.4 weeks 11.8 weeks 56.6% 13.7%
February 2026 3.4 weeks 19.8 weeks 61.1% 11.8%
March 2026 4.6 weeks 19.0 weeks 58.1% 13.5%
April 2026 9.1 weeks 14.3 weeks 44.5% 19.9%
May 2026 7.0 weeks 12.0 weeks 50.7% 15.1%
June 2026 8.0 weeks 11.0 weeks 46.6% 10.0%
July 2026 8.0 weeks 11.8 weeks 45.8% 7.9%
August 2026 8.0 weeks 11.0 weeks 41.8% 7.1%
This is not a live appointment search. The forward measure concerns when at least 10% of weekly appointments are available in the published snapshot. It is not the earliest slot. Use the official booking service for current appointments.
Automatic transmission

A separate candidate group.

Automatic pass rate · 2025/26
41.8%
Automatic tests
1,081

Automatic-only outcomes use a different group of tests from the all-car rate. They do not establish which transmission is easier for you. Source: DRT122E.

Choosing manual or automatic

Build a realistic budget

Include lessons, official fees and test-day car use.

Check your readiness

Use a structured conversation with your instructor.

Plan travel and conditions

Official road, public transport and weather sources.

Suggest a correction to this record. For a booking issue, contact the official test authority.

Other centres in the region

All centres

These are regional comparisons, not a list of permitted booking transfers or the closest centres by travel time.