Carlisle Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Carlisle recorded a 58.7% pass rate across 3,518 tests in April 2025 - March 2026. Compare the results below, check nearby centres and plan local road practice with turn-by-turn voice navigation. Historical results describe previous tests; they do not predict your result.
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Carlisle
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Carlisle Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Carlisle | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 58.7% | 50% | +8.7 pp |
| Male | 58.8% | 50% | +8.8 pp |
| Female | 58.6% | 50% | +8.6 pp |
| First Attempt | 59.9% | 50% | +9.9 pp |
| Automatic | 48.9% | 50% | -1.1 pp |
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026. Each category is compared with the national overall rate, not its own national subgroup. Differences are percentage points (pp).
Pass Rate by Age (17-25)
Historical Pass Rate Trend
2019/20
45.2%
2021/22
57.7%
2022/23
53.9%
2023/24
55.9%
2024/25
54.9%
2025/26
58.7%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
3,518
Total
1,887
Male
1,631
Female
103 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Carlisle reviews: what to check before your test
Learner reviews can help you spot practical details such as finding the entrance and arriving on time. A review of one test is not a measure of examiner leniency or your chance of passing. We do not publish a verified review rating for Carlisle.
For context, the DVSA recorded 3,518 tests here with an overall pass rate of 58.7% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 59.9%. Compare those figures with the full statistics above, rather than a handful of anecdotes.
- Check the review date and that it refers to this exact test-centre location.
- Use your booking confirmation to confirm arrival instructions and required documents.
- Ask your instructor which local roads and junctions to practise. Conditions and test routes can change.
Centre-based Learner Hub plan
Build your Carlisle test plan
Start with Carlisle selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 58.7%.
Carlisle Test Routes
We have mapped 18 real driving test routes used at Carlisle (CA2 7AF). Routes range from 10.6 km (31 mins) to 17.1 km (31 mins), with an average distance of 14 km taking around 34 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
18
Total Routes
34 min
Avg Duration
14 km
Avg Distance
3
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | 13.5 km | 38 min |
| #4 | 12.9 km | 35 min |
| #7 | 12.6 km | 35 min |
| #8 | 12.9 km | 38 min |
| #9 | 10.6 km | 31 min |
| #13 | 12.9 km | 36 min |
| #14 | 14.1 km | 38 min |
| #15 | 14.3 km | 33 min |
| #17 | 15.9 km | 37 min |
| #18 | 15.5 km | 37 min |
+ 8 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Carlisle Test Routes
Across all 18 routes, examiners at Carlisle use 139 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 18 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.
Free to download · Carlisle routes included
Preparing for Your Test at Carlisle
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Navigating narrow terraced streets with parked cars limiting visibility
- Responding to tram lines in areas that have light rail systems
- Managing complex junction layouts in older industrial town centres
- Coping with steep hills in towns built on Lancashire and Pennine hillsides
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 58.7% recorded pass rate at Carlisle was 8.7 percentage points above the 50% national figure for April 2025 - March 2026. This compares previous candidates, not equivalent drivers taking tests at different centres. It does not establish that the examiner, roads or transmission caused the difference, and it cannot predict your result.
Road Types to Prepare For
Don't just read about Carlisle's routes — drive them.
All 18 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Carlisle
Expert Tips
- 1
Practise school-zone driving, as densely populated residential areas feature heavily on north-west routes.
- 2
Get used to tram line crossings if your centre is in the Greater Manchester Metrolink area.
- 3
Practise wet-weather driving, as the north-west has some of the highest rainfall in England.
- 4
Develop your awareness of road surface changes, particularly after rain when grip may be reduced.
- 5
Build confidence with overtaking slow vehicles when safe, reading the road ahead for oncoming traffic.
Best Time to Test
We do not have verified pass rates by appointment time or live availability for this centre. Choose a slot that works with your instructor and practise in varied traffic and weather. No appointment time guarantees an easier test.
Test Centres Near Carlisle
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlisle LGV (Cars) | 0 miles | 44.7% | Hard |
| Dumfries | 29.4 miles | 53.9% | Above Average |
| Workington | 29.9 miles | 61.9% | Easy |
| Hexham | 33.5 miles | 53% | Above Average |
| Hawick | 37 miles | 64.3% | 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 North WestFrequently Asked Questions About Carlisle
What is the pass rate at Carlisle?+
The recorded pass rate at Carlisle is 58.7%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 3,518 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 58.8% and the female pass rate is 58.6%.
Is Carlisle a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 58.7%, compared with 50% nationally during April 2025 - March 2026. Rates describe previous candidates and do not isolate road difficulty or examiner behaviour. Your preparation and safe driving matter more than a centre ranking.
How many test routes does Carlisle have?+
Route coverage at Carlisle can change. You can explore available practice routes with turn-by-turn navigation in the Test Routes Expert app.
What roads are commonly used at Carlisle?+
Our preparation guide lists A-roads, industrial roads, steep hills, residential. Ask your instructor which apply to your local practice. Available route examples can help you prepare, but the examiner can change roads and directions on test day.
What's the best time to take a driving test at Carlisle?+
We do not have verified pass rates by appointment time or live availability for this centre. Choose a slot that works with your instructor and practise in varied traffic and weather. No appointment time guarantees an easier test.
How does Carlisle compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Carlisle LGV (Cars) (44.7%, 0 miles away); Dumfries (53.9%, 29.4 miles away); Workington (61.9%, 29.9 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Carlisle Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 18 test routes at Carlisle. Practice each one until nothing on test day surprises you.
- Turn-by-turn navigation on real test routes
- Track your progress route by route
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