Portsmouth Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Portsmouth recorded a 52.8% pass rate across 13,518 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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Portsmouth
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Portsmouth Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Portsmouth | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 52.8% | 50% | +2.8 pp |
| Male | 53.6% | 50% | +3.6 pp |
| Female | 51.9% | 50% | +1.9 pp |
| First Attempt | 52.9% | 50% | +2.9 pp |
| Automatic | 46.1% | 50% | -3.9 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
47.2%
2021/22
50.4%
2022/23
48.2%
2023/24
50.3%
2024/25
51.8%
2025/26
52.8%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
13,518
Total
7,637
Male
5,881
Female
260 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Portsmouth 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 We do not publish a verified review rating for Portsmouth.
For context, the DVSA recorded 13,518 tests here with an overall pass rate of 52.8% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 52.9%. 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 Portsmouth test plan
Start with Portsmouth selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 52.8%.
Portsmouth Test Routes
We have mapped 30 real driving test routes used at Portsmouth (PO1 5QH). Routes range from 11.9 km (29 mins) to 21.1 km (32 mins), with an average distance of 16.8 km taking around 31 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
30
Total Routes
31 min
Avg Duration
16.8 km
Avg Distance
7
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 17.9 km | 30 min |
| #2 | 13.2 km | 26 min |
| #3 | 15.7 km | 31 min |
| #4 | 11.9 km | 29 min |
| #7 | 18.4 km | 30 min |
| #8 | 17.6 km | 31 min |
| #10 | 19 km | 35 min |
| #11 | 18.6 km | 36 min |
| #12 | 18.8 km | 35 min |
| #13 | 17.2 km | 31 min |
+ 20 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Portsmouth Test Routes
Across all 30 routes, examiners at Portsmouth use 165 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 30 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 · Portsmouth routes included
Preparing for Your Test at Portsmouth
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Navigating country lanes where hedgerows restrict forward vision
- Managing complex multi-exit roundabouts near major town centres
- Adjusting to gravel and mud on road surfaces near farms and equestrian centres
- Coping with heavy congestion near railway stations during peak travel times
- Dealing with the volume of traffic typical of a busy urban centre handling 11,305 tests per year
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 52.8% recorded pass rate at Portsmouth was 2.8 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 Portsmouth's routes — drive them.
All 30 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Portsmouth
Expert Tips
- 1
Build experience with staggered crossroads and priority junctions in older village layouts.
- 2
Work on your awareness of cyclists and horse riders, who share many south-east lanes.
- 3
Get used to the variety of roundabout sizes here, from mini-roundabouts to large multi-lane junctions.
- 4
Work on clutch control for the frequent slow-speed manoeuvring required in urban test routes.
- 5
Get comfortable with multi-lane roundabouts by understanding your lane choice well before you reach the roundabout.
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 Portsmouth
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee On The Solent | 5.5 miles | 63.2% | Easy |
| Newport (Isle of Wight) | 13.6 miles | 54.1% | Above Average |
| Chichester | 14.5 miles | 61.6% | Easy |
| Southampton (Maybush) | 15.9 miles | 50.3% | Above Average |
| Winchester | 16.7 miles | 52.2% | 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 South EastFrequently Asked Questions About Portsmouth
What is the pass rate at Portsmouth?+
The recorded pass rate at Portsmouth is 52.8%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 13,518 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 53.6% and the female pass rate is 51.9%.
Is Portsmouth a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 52.8%, 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 Portsmouth have?+
Route coverage at Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth?+
Our preparation guide lists A-roads, dual carriageway, motorway junctions, 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 Portsmouth?+
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 Portsmouth compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Lee On The Solent (63.2%, 5.5 miles away); Newport (Isle of Wight) (54.1%, 13.6 miles away); Chichester (61.6%, 14.5 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Portsmouth Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 30 test routes at Portsmouth. Practice each one until nothing on test day surprises you.
- Turn-by-turn navigation on real test routes
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