Northampton Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Northampton recorded a 52.1% pass rate across 13,539 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 Northampton route included · Pass First Time Guarantee
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Northampton
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Northampton Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Northampton | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 52.1% | 50% | +2.1 pp |
| Male | 52.9% | 50% | +2.9 pp |
| Female | 51% | 50% | +1.0 pp |
| First Attempt | 51.8% | 50% | +1.8 pp |
| Automatic | 45.9% | 50% | -4.1 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
44.8%
2021/22
47.8%
2022/23
47.7%
2023/24
49.2%
2024/25
50.4%
2025/26
52.1%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
13,539
Total
7,409
Male
6,130
Female
335 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Northampton 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 We do not publish a verified review rating for Northampton.
For context, the DVSA recorded 13,539 tests here with an overall pass rate of 52.1% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 51.8%. 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 Northampton test plan
Start with Northampton selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 52.1%.
Northampton Test Routes
We have mapped 21 real driving test routes used at Northampton (NN5 7QA). Routes range from 9.2 km (22 mins) to 18.8 km (31 mins), with an average distance of 14.9 km taking around 30 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
21
Total Routes
30 min
Avg Duration
14.9 km
Avg Distance
10
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 10.9 km | 26 min |
| #12 | 15.3 km | 30 min |
| #13 | 16.7 km | 31 min |
| #14 | 12.7 km | 27 min |
| #15 | 14.7 km | 31 min |
| #16 | 16.3 km | 29 min |
| #17 | 14.5 km | 27 min |
| #18 | 15 km | 32 min |
| #19 | 15.1 km | 29 min |
| #20 | 13.3 km | 30 min |
+ 11 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Northampton Test Routes
Across all 21 routes, examiners at Northampton use 134 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 21 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 · Northampton routes included
Preparing for Your Test at Northampton
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Reacting to sun glare on flat, open roads where there is no shelter
- Reading worn lane markings at busy roundabouts serving multiple A-roads
- Managing large goods vehicle traffic near distribution centres and industrial parks
- Maintaining focus on long, straight roads where complacency can set in
- Dealing with the volume of traffic typical of a busy urban centre handling 12,825 tests per year
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 52.1% recorded pass rate at Northampton was 2.1 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 Northampton's routes — drive them.
All 21 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Northampton
Expert Tips
- 1
Practise roundabout technique at dual carriageway intersections where approaching traffic moves quickly.
- 2
Work on your speed discipline, as the flat, open roads here tempt many drivers to exceed limits.
- 3
Practise responding to sudden speed limit changes through villages strung along A-roads.
- 4
Practise maintaining a steady following distance in stop-start traffic without leaving gaps so large that other drivers cut in.
- 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 Northampton
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellingborough | 10 miles | 60% | Easy |
| Kettering | 12.4 miles | 49.1% | Below Average |
| Rugby | 17.9 miles | 51.4% | Above Average |
| Bletchley | 18.1 miles | 51.5% | Above Average |
| Bedford | 19.6 miles | 53.7% | 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 Northampton
What is the pass rate at Northampton?+
The recorded pass rate at Northampton is 52.1%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 13,539 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 52.9% and the female pass rate is 51%.
Is Northampton a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 52.1%, 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 Northampton have?+
Route coverage at Northampton 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 Northampton?+
Our preparation guide lists residential, roundabouts, dual carriageway, distribution routes. 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 Northampton?+
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 Northampton compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Wellingborough (60%, 10 miles away); Kettering (49.1%, 12.4 miles away); Rugby (51.4%, 17.9 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Northampton Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 21 test routes at Northampton. 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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