Plymouth Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Plymouth recorded a 40.7% pass rate across 11,167 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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Plymouth
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Plymouth Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Plymouth | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 40.7% | 50% | -9.3 pp |
| Male | 38.3% | 50% | -11.7 pp |
| Female | 43.7% | 50% | -6.3 pp |
| First Attempt | 38.8% | 50% | -11.2 pp |
| Automatic | 34.5% | 50% | -15.5 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
38.6%
2021/22
39.4%
2022/23
37.2%
2023/24
40.3%
2024/25
40.8%
2025/26
40.7%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
11,167
Total
6,194
Male
4,973
Female
75 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Plymouth 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 We do not publish a verified review rating for Plymouth.
For context, the DVSA recorded 11,167 tests here with an overall pass rate of 40.7% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 38.8%. 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 Plymouth test plan
Start with Plymouth selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 40.7%.
Plymouth Test Routes
We have mapped 14 real driving test routes used at Plymouth (PL5 2EY). Routes range from 10.5 km (25 mins) to 19 km (35 mins), with an average distance of 15.9 km taking around 34 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
14
Total Routes
34 min
Avg Duration
15.9 km
Avg Distance
5
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 10.5 km | 25 min |
| #12 | 16.7 km | 37 min |
| #13 | 15.8 km | 33 min |
| #14 | 15.1 km | 36 min |
| #15 | 17.9 km | 38 min |
| #16 | 15.7 km | 39 min |
| #18 | 17.6 km | 39 min |
| #19 | 15.9 km | 37 min |
| #20 | 12.7 km | 29 min |
| #21 | 16.1 km | 30 min |
+ 4 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Plymouth Test Routes
Across all 14 routes, examiners at Plymouth use 85 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 14 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 · Plymouth routes included
Preparing for Your Test at Plymouth
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Coping with wet roads from the region's higher-than-average rainfall
- Navigating through historic market towns with narrow streets and tight corners
- Navigating extremely narrow lanes where reversing may be necessary to let vehicles pass
- Managing blind bends on lanes where hedgerows grow close to the road edge
- Dealing with the volume of traffic typical of a busy urban centre handling 9,867 tests per year
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 40.7% recorded pass rate at Plymouth was 9.3 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 Plymouth's routes — drive them.
All 14 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Plymouth
Expert Tips
- 1
Practise wet-weather driving, as the south-west receives above-average rainfall.
- 2
Work on your gear selection for descents, relying on engine braking rather than just your foot brake.
- 3
Practise driving on extremely narrow lanes where reversing may be your only option when meeting oncoming traffic.
- 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 Plymouth
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth LGV | 0 miles | 20.3% | Hard |
| Launceston | 20.7 miles | 46.3% | Below Average |
| Newton Abbot | 25.8 miles | 53.8% | Above Average |
| Bodmin | 26.5 miles | 47.5% | Below Average |
| Exeter | 36.5 miles | 46.8% | Below 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 South WestFrequently Asked Questions About Plymouth
What is the pass rate at Plymouth?+
The recorded pass rate at Plymouth is 40.7%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 11,167 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 38.3% and the female pass rate is 43.7%.
Is Plymouth a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 40.7%, 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 Plymouth have?+
Route coverage at Plymouth 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 Plymouth?+
Our preparation guide lists country roads, residential, narrow lanes, harbour roads, 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 Plymouth?+
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 Plymouth compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Plymouth LGV (20.3%, 0 miles away); Launceston (46.3%, 20.7 miles away); Newton Abbot (53.8%, 25.8 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Plymouth Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 14 test routes at Plymouth. Practice each one until nothing on test day surprises you.
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