Kettering Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Kettering recorded a 49.1% pass rate across 11,876 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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Kettering
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Kettering Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Kettering | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 49.1% | 50% | -0.9 pp |
| Male | 49.6% | 50% | -0.4 pp |
| Female | 48.5% | 50% | -1.5 pp |
| First Attempt | 50.1% | 50% | +0.1 pp |
| Automatic | 41% | 50% | -9.0 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
47.8%
2021/22
40.5%
2022/23
44.8%
2023/24
48.4%
2024/25
46%
2025/26
49.1%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
11,876
Total
6,603
Male
5,273
Female
120 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Kettering 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 We do not publish a verified review rating for Kettering.
For context, the DVSA recorded 11,876 tests here with an overall pass rate of 49.1% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 50.1%. 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 Kettering test plan
Start with Kettering selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 49.1%.
Kettering Test Routes
We have mapped 20 real driving test routes used at Kettering (NN15 6NL). Routes range from 11.9 km (23 mins) to 24.5 km (37 mins), with an average distance of 16.9 km taking around 32 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
20
Total Routes
32 min
Avg Duration
16.9 km
Avg Distance
11
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #4 | 14.2 km | 37 min |
| #8 | 18 km | 37 min |
| #9 | 14.9 km | 36 min |
| #10 | 20.5 km | 38 min |
| #11 | 19.8 km | 39 min |
| #12 | 15.2 km | 38 min |
| #13 | 13.3 km | 30 min |
| #14 | 18.5 km | 30 min |
| #16 | 16.4 km | 28 min |
| #17 | 18.6 km | 33 min |
+ 10 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Kettering Test Routes
Across all 20 routes, examiners at Kettering use 96 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 20 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 · Kettering routes included
Preparing for Your Test at Kettering
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Handling exposed roads where crosswinds can catch drivers off guard
- Adjusting driving for varying road surfaces between newer and older road sections
- Maintaining focus on long, straight roads where complacency can set in
- Responding to sudden speed limit changes through small villages on A-roads
- Dealing with the volume of traffic typical of a busy urban centre handling 8,489 tests per year
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 49.1% recorded pass rate at Kettering was 0.9 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 Kettering's routes — drive them.
All 20 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Kettering
Expert Tips
- 1
Build experience with the logistics-park roads near your centre where HGV traffic is heavy.
- 2
Get used to crosswinds on exposed flat roads, keeping a firm but relaxed grip on the steering.
- 3
Practise maintaining concentration on long, straight roads where the temptation to lose focus is real.
- 4
Work on clutch control for the frequent slow-speed manoeuvring required in urban test routes.
- 5
Build your ability to make progress when safe, as driving too slowly or timidly is itself a test fault.
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 Kettering
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellingborough | 5.4 miles | 60% | Easy |
| Northampton | 12.4 miles | 52.1% | Above Average |
| Bedford | 19.9 miles | 53.7% | Above Average |
| Upton | 21 miles | 52.6% | Above Average |
| Leicester (Wigston) | 21.5 miles | 51.2% | 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 East MidlandsFrequently Asked Questions About Kettering
What is the pass rate at Kettering?+
The recorded pass rate at Kettering is 49.1%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 11,876 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 49.6% and the female pass rate is 48.5%.
Is Kettering a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 49.1%, 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 Kettering have?+
Route coverage at Kettering 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 Kettering?+
Our preparation guide lists flat terrain roads, roundabouts, country roads, 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 Kettering?+
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 Kettering compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Wellingborough (60%, 5.4 miles away); Northampton (52.1%, 12.4 miles away); Bedford (53.7%, 19.9 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Kettering Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 20 test routes at Kettering. Practice each one until nothing on test day surprises you.
- Turn-by-turn navigation on real test routes
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