Orkney Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Orkney recorded a 55.9% pass rate across 320 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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Orkney
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Orkney Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Orkney | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 55.9% | 50% | +5.9 pp |
| Male | 59% | 50% | +9.0 pp |
| Female | 52.8% | 50% | +2.8 pp |
| First Attempt | 51.3% | 50% | +1.3 pp |
| Automatic | 40% | 50% | -10.0 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
68.5%
2021/22
67.6%
2022/23
60.9%
2023/24
60.6%
2024/25
66%
2025/26
55.9%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
320
Total
161
Male
159
Female
4 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Orkney 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 We do not publish a verified review rating for Orkney.
For context, the DVSA recorded 320 tests here with an overall pass rate of 55.9% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 51.3%. 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 Orkney test plan
Start with Orkney selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 55.9%.
Orkney Test Routes
We have mapped 11 real driving test routes used at Orkney (KW15 1FL). Routes range from 9.7 km (23 mins) to 25.9 km (35 mins), with an average distance of 20.9 km taking around 30 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
11
Total Routes
30 min
Avg Duration
20.9 km
Avg Distance
2
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 9.7 km | 23 min |
| #2 | 25.3 km | 34 min |
| #3 | 23.2 km | 29 min |
| #4 | 16.4 km | 27 min |
| #5 | 21.1 km | 28 min |
| #6 | 22.5 km | 33 min |
| #7 | 25.1 km | 35 min |
| #8 | 20.7 km | 24 min |
| #9 | 24.7 km | 34 min |
| #10 | 15.2 km | 26 min |
+ 1 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Orkney Test Routes
Across all 11 routes, examiners at Orkney use 65 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 11 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 · Orkney routes included
Preparing for Your Test at Orkney
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Responding to slow-moving agricultural vehicles on country roads
- Managing steep hill starts on inclines common in Scottish towns and countryside
- Maintaining appropriate speed through villages with tight speed limit changes
- Navigating junctions where stone walls or hedgerows limit sightlines
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 55.9% recorded pass rate at Orkney was 5.9 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 Orkney's routes — drive them.
All 11 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Orkney
Expert Tips
- 1
Get comfortable with varying road surfaces, as roads near your centre may transition between smoother and rougher sections.
- 2
Be prepared for rapid weather changes during your test. Adjusting your driving for rain or wind is expected at Scottish centres.
- 3
Practise driving on roads where visibility is limited by terrain, adjusting your speed accordingly.
- 4
Practise judging the national speed limit on open roads. Going too slowly can be as much a fault as exceeding it.
- 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 Orkney
Nearby Centres
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 ScotlandFrequently Asked Questions About Orkney
What is the pass rate at Orkney?+
The recorded pass rate at Orkney is 55.9%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 320 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 59% and the female pass rate is 52.8%.
Is Orkney a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 55.9%, 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 Orkney have?+
Route coverage at Orkney 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 Orkney?+
Our preparation guide lists passing places, village streets, residential, single-track roads. 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 Orkney?+
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 Orkney compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Thurso (63%, 19.6 miles away); Wick (59.4%, 29.2 miles away); Golspie (71%, 65.6 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Orkney Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 11 test routes at Orkney. 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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