drivingsorted.
England · practical testing

Northampton
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
52.1%
All-car pass rate · 2025/26
13,539
Tests taken · 2025/26
7.9 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
2020/21 2,650 1,295 48.9%
2021/22 9,732 4,656 47.8%
2022/23 11,804 5,629 47.7%
2023/24 12,392 6,103 49.2%
2024/25 12,825 6,464 50.4%
2025/26 13,539 7,050 52.1%

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 10.6 weeks 24.0 weeks 41.6% 27.8%
October 2025 14.9 weeks 24.0 weeks 34.7% 38.1%
November 2025 11.2 weeks 24.0 weeks 40.5% 35.0%
December 2025 8.3 weeks 24.0 weeks 47.1% 30.2%
January 2026 10.3 weeks 24.0 weeks 43.7% 31.8%
February 2026 8.9 weeks 24.0 weeks 46.4% 30.3%
March 2026 8.9 weeks 24.0 weeks 46.2% 31.3%
April 2026 12.3 weeks 24.0 weeks 39.2% 37.0%
May 2026 10.6 weeks 24.0 weeks 42.6% 36.5%
June 2026 8.6 weeks 23.4 weeks 46.5% 30.0%
July 2026 7.9 weeks 24.0 weeks 48.7% 31.8%
August 2026 7.9 weeks 24.0 weeks 48.9% 24.5%
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
45.9%
Automatic tests
5,142

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
Practical testEngland

Boston

East Midlands

Pass rate
50.7%
2025/26
Median completed wait
4.5 weeks
August 2026
Explore this centre
Practical testEngland

Buxton

East Midlands

Pass rate
58.7%
2025/26
Median completed wait
15.0 weeks
August 2026
Explore this centre

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