Durham Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Durham recorded a 53.2% pass rate across 9,451 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 Durham route included · Pass First Time Guarantee
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Durham
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Durham Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Durham | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 53.2% | 50% | +3.2 pp |
| Male | 53.7% | 50% | +3.7 pp |
| Female | 52.6% | 50% | +2.6 pp |
| First Attempt | 54.8% | 50% | +4.8 pp |
| Automatic | 47.8% | 50% | -2.2 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
56.9%
2021/22
62.5%
2022/23
55.7%
2023/24
48.1%
2024/25
49.6%
2025/26
53.2%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
9,451
Total
4,878
Male
4,573
Female
166 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Durham 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 We do not publish a verified review rating for Durham.
For context, the DVSA recorded 9,451 tests here with an overall pass rate of 53.2% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 54.8%. 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 Durham test plan
Start with Durham selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 53.2%.
Durham Test Routes
We have mapped 23 real driving test routes used at Durham (DH7 8XL). Routes range from 10.3 km (22 mins) to 25.4 km (36 mins), with an average distance of 18.1 km taking around 31 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
23
Total Routes
31 min
Avg Duration
18.1 km
Avg Distance
7
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | 18.9 km | 39 min |
| #4 | 10.3 km | 22 min |
| #9 | 16.2 km | 33 min |
| #10 | 16.1 km | 33 min |
| #11 | 19.9 km | 35 min |
| #14 | 15.8 km | 36 min |
| #15 | 15 km | 31 min |
| #16 | 20.4 km | 34 min |
| #17 | 25.4 km | 36 min |
| #18 | 17.4 km | 31 min |
+ 13 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Durham Test Routes
Across all 23 routes, examiners at Durham use 92 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 23 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 · Durham routes included
Preparing for Your Test at Durham
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Handling roundabouts at A-road junctions with high-speed traffic
- Dealing with wet road surfaces that are common in the north-east climate
- Responding to pedestrians in busy town centre shopping areas
- Timing right turns across busy dual carriageways at staggered junctions
- Dealing with the volume of traffic typical of a busy urban centre handling 8,228 tests per year
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 53.2% recorded pass rate at Durham was 3.2 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 Durham's routes — drive them.
All 23 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Durham
Expert Tips
- 1
Build confidence with roundabouts at A-road junctions where traffic moves at higher speeds.
- 2
Work on lane discipline for multi-lane approaches to town centre junctions.
- 3
Practise merging onto ring roads from short slip roads, as this is a common route feature in the north-east.
- 4
Build your ability to make progress when safe, as driving too slowly or timidly is itself a test fault.
- 5
Practise parallel parking in realistic conditions with vehicles in front and behind your target space.
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 Durham
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington | 14.2 miles | 47.1% | Below Average |
| Gateshead | 21.3 miles | 37.5% | Hard |
| Hartlepool | 21.6 miles | 51% | Above Average |
| Middlesbrough | 21.6 miles | 47.7% | Below Average |
| Sunderland | 22.1 miles | 51.1% | Above Average |
Frequently Asked Questions About Durham
What is the pass rate at Durham?+
The recorded pass rate at Durham is 53.2%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 9,451 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 53.7% and the female pass rate is 52.6%.
Is Durham a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 53.2%, 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 Durham have?+
Route coverage at Durham 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 Durham?+
Our preparation guide lists terraced streets, bridge approaches, ring 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 Durham?+
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 Durham compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Darlington (47.1%, 14.2 miles away); Gateshead (37.5%, 21.3 miles away); Hartlepool (51%, 21.6 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Durham Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 23 test routes at Durham. 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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