England · practical testing

Bedford
Driving test centre.

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

53.7%
All-car pass rate · 2025/26
8,854
Tests taken · 2025/26
27.1 weeks
Median completed wait
24.0 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
2011/12 6,751 3,081 45.6%
2021/22 4,595 2,494 54.3%
2022/23 5,501 3,079 56.0%
2023/24 8,665 4,564 52.7%
2024/25 8,958 4,472 49.9%
2025/26 8,854 4,756 53.7%

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.

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 19.4 weeks 24.0 weeks 19.6% 44.9%
October 2025 21.3 weeks 20.5 weeks 26.6% 50.7%
November 2025 17.1 weeks 24.0 weeks 28.4% 43.5%
December 2025 17.3 weeks 24.0 weeks 27.8% 44.0%
January 2026 21.8 weeks 24.0 weeks 29.0% 52.1%
February 2026 23.1 weeks 24.0 weeks 28.9% 53.8%
March 2026 19.4 weeks 24.0 weeks 34.4% 48.0%
April 2026 16.8 weeks 24.0 weeks 43.5% 45.2%
May 2026 15.6 weeks 12.8 weeks 44.2% 45.8%
June 2026 25.1 weeks 20.4 weeks 29.6% 53.8%
July 2026 27.1 weeks 19.5 weeks 33.5% 58.5%
August 2026 27.1 weeks 24.0 weeks 53.8% 34.5%
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
46.8%
Automatic tests
2,888

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.