Darlington Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Darlington recorded a 47.1% pass rate across 12,183 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.
Free to download · Every Darlington route included · Pass First Time Guarantee
Route 1 of 25
Darlington
Voice-guided navigation
Darlington Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Darlington | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 47.1% | 50% | -2.9 pp |
| Male | 44.7% | 50% | -5.3 pp |
| Female | 51.3% | 50% | +1.3 pp |
| First Attempt | 48.9% | 50% | -1.1 pp |
| Automatic | 40.5% | 50% | -9.5 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
51.5%
2021/22
55%
2022/23
57%
2023/24
55.1%
2024/25
49.2%
2025/26
47.1%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
12,183
Total
7,787
Male
4,396
Female
212 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Darlington 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 We do not publish a verified review rating for Darlington.
For context, the DVSA recorded 12,183 tests here with an overall pass rate of 47.1% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 48.9%. 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 Darlington test plan
Start with Darlington selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 47.1%.
Darlington Test Routes
We have mapped 25 real driving test routes used at Darlington (DL1 4PW). Routes range from 12.5 km (25 mins) to 21.3 km (35 mins), with an average distance of 16.6 km taking around 33 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
25
Total Routes
33 min
Avg Duration
16.6 km
Avg Distance
10
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 13 km | 31 min |
| #2 | 17.4 km | 33 min |
| #3 | 19.2 km | 39 min |
| #5 | 15.3 km | 31 min |
| #8 | 17.9 km | 39 min |
| #9 | 19.1 km | 38 min |
| #10 | 19.6 km | 35 min |
| #12 | 15.3 km | 37 min |
| #14 | 19.8 km | 39 min |
| #15 | 16.4 km | 37 min |
+ 15 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Darlington Test Routes
Across all 25 routes, examiners at Darlington use 133 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 25 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 · Darlington routes included
Preparing for Your Test at Darlington
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Responding to pedestrians in busy town centre shopping areas
- Navigating complex junctions in town centres with multiple lanes
- Coping with crosswinds on exposed elevated roads and bridge approaches
- Maintaining concentration on long straight stretches between towns
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 47.1% recorded pass rate at Darlington was 2.9 percentage points below 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 Darlington's routes — drive them.
All 25 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Darlington
Expert Tips
- 1
Get comfortable with coastal road conditions if your centre is near the coast.
- 2
Practise merging onto ring roads from short slip roads, as this is a common route feature in the north-east.
- 3
Practise navigating terraced streets with cars parked on both sides limiting your forward visibility.
- 4
Practise driving through residential areas where parked cars create pinch points requiring you to judge priority.
- 5
Get comfortable with mini-roundabouts, common in suburban areas and testing your observation and timing.
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 Darlington
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | 11.8 miles | 47.7% | Below Average |
| Northallerton | 12.5 miles | 60.4% | Easy |
| Durham | 14.2 miles | 53.2% | Above Average |
| Hartlepool | 16.8 miles | 51% | Above Average |
| Sunderland | 27.4 miles | 51.1% | Above Average |
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 EastFrequently Asked Questions About Darlington
What is the pass rate at Darlington?+
The recorded pass rate at Darlington is 47.1%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 12,183 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 44.7% and the female pass rate is 51.3%.
Is Darlington a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 47.1%, 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 Darlington have?+
Route coverage at Darlington 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 Darlington?+
Our preparation guide lists ring roads, coastal roads, industrial roads, residential, roundabouts. 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 Darlington?+
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 Darlington compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Middlesbrough (47.7%, 11.8 miles away); Northallerton (60.4%, 12.5 miles away); Durham (53.2%, 14.2 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Darlington Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 25 test routes at Darlington. Practice each one until nothing on test day surprises you.
- Turn-by-turn navigation on real test routes
- Track your progress route by route
- Pass First Time Guarantee
350+
UK test centres
4,000+
Practice routes
100%
Pass First Time Guarantee
