Alness Driving Test Routes
Practice the exact driving test routes used at Alness with turn-by-turn navigation. Know every junction, roundabout, and tricky spot before test day.
Alness Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Alness | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 63% | 51.8% | +11.2% |
| Male | 63.6% | 51.8% | +11.8% |
| Female | 62.4% | 51.8% | +10.6% |
| First Attempt | 65.1% | 51.8% | +13.3% |
| Automatic | 47.9% | 51.8% | -3.9% |
Pass Rate by Age (17-25)
Historical Pass Rate Trend
2019/20
56.6%
2021/22
61.4%
2022/23
62%
2023/24
61.6%
2024/25
63%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2024 - March 2025
865
Total
418
Male
447
Female
29 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Alness Test Routes
We have mapped 12 real driving test routes used at Alness (IV17 0PJ). Routes range from 4.3 km (11 mins) to 24.3 km (39 mins), with an average distance of 17 km taking around 29 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
12
Total Routes
29 min
Avg Duration
17 km
Avg Distance
1
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 16.3 km | 39 min |
| #2 | 15.7 km | 23 min |
| #3 | 4.3 km | 11 min |
| #4 | 19.3 km | 31 min |
| #5 | 16.8 km | 24 min |
| #6 | 16.6 km | 29 min |
| #7 | 16.6 km | 24 min |
| #8 | 24.3 km | 39 min |
| #9 | 18.4 km | 32 min |
| #10 | 18.6 km | 32 min |
+ 2 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Alness Test Routes
Across all 12 routes, examiners at Alness use 37 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 12 Routes with Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Get the full route details with voice-guided navigation. Know every junction, roundabout, and lane change before test day.
What Makes Alness Challenging
Key Challenges
- Managing steep hill starts on inclines common in Scottish towns and countryside
- Maintaining appropriate speed through villages with tight speed limit changes
- Judging passing places correctly on single-track roads without hesitation
- Handling crosswinds on exposed stretches of road in highland areas
- Handling conditions that automatic transmission candidates find particularly challenging, as reflected in the 47.9% automatic pass rate versus 63% overall
Difficulty Analysis
With a pass rate of 63% against a national average of 51.8%, Alness is considerably easier than the typical UK test centre, ranking 289 out of 322 centres nationwide. Pass rates here have shown a notable upward trend, rising from 56.6% in 2019/20 to 63% in 2024/25, an improvement of 6.4 percentage points over the period. There is a significant spread in pass rates by age here: 17-year-olds achieve 71.9%, while 25-year-olds manage only 50%, a gap of 21.9 percentage points.
Road Types to Prepare For
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Alness
Expert Tips
- 1
Practise clutch control at low speed, essential for the tight turns and gradients common around Scottish test centres.
- 2
Practise driving on roads where visibility is limited by terrain, adjusting your speed accordingly.
- 3
Get comfortable with varying road surfaces, as roads near your centre may transition between smoother and rougher sections.
- 4
Practise judging the national speed limit on open roads. Going too slowly can be as much a fault as exceeding it.
- 5
Develop your awareness of road surface changes, particularly after rain when grip may be reduced.
- 6
If taking the test in an automatic at Alness, be aware the automatic pass rate is 47.9%, notably lower than the 63% overall. Extra practice around the centre is advisable.
- 7
29 candidates achieved zero faults at Alness in the last reporting period, proving that a clean pass is achievable with the right preparation.
Best Time to Test
Summer months at Alness offer the best visibility and road conditions, though learners should be aware of increased seasonal traffic during this period. As a quieter centre with 865 tests per year, availability is generally better here than at busier locations.
Test Centres Near Alness
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverness (Longman Drive) | 13.9 miles | 45.9% | Hard |
| Golspie | 22.3 miles | 68% | Easy |
| Grantown-On-Spey | 34.9 miles | 62.2% | Easy |
| Elgin | 35.3 miles | 44.5% | Hard |
| Ullapool | 35.8 miles | 74.6% | Easy |
Looking for a higher pass rate? Some nearby centres have better statistics. Compare options above to find the best fit for you.
View all centres in ScotlandFrequently Asked Questions About Alness
What is the pass rate at Alness?+
The current pass rate at Alness is 63%. The national average is 51.8%. These figures are based on 865 tests conducted during April 2024 - March 2025. The male pass rate is 63.6% and the female pass rate is 62.4%.
Is Alness a hard driving test centre?+
Alness is ranked 289 out of 322 UK test centres for difficulty and is classified as "Above Average". The pass rate here is at or above the national average, suggesting it is not one of the harder centres.
How many test routes does Alness have?+
The exact number of routes at Alness varies and is updated regularly. You can practise real test routes used at this centre with turn-by-turn navigation in the Test Routes Expert app.
What roads are commonly used at Alness?+
Test routes at Alness commonly include village streets, dual carriageway, steep hills, residential. Being comfortable on these road types is essential for passing. The Test Routes Expert app lets you practise on the exact roads used in the test.
What's the best time to take a driving test at Alness?+
Summer months at Alness offer the best visibility and road conditions, though learners should be aware of increased seasonal traffic during this period. As a quieter centre with 865 tests per year, availability is generally better here than at busier locations.
How does Alness compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Inverness (Longman Drive) (45.9%, 13.9 miles away); Golspie (68%, 22.3 miles away); Grantown-On-Spey (62.2%, 34.9 miles away). Comparing pass rates and distances can help you choose the best centre for your test.
Know Every Route Before Test Day
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn navigation for real driving test routes at every UK test centre. No surprises on test day.
- Turn-by-turn navigation on real test routes
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