Preston Driving Test Centre: Pass Rate & Test Routes
Preston recorded a 56.3% pass rate across 9,194 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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Preston
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Preston Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Preston | National Overall Rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 56.3% | 50% | +6.3 pp |
| Male | 58.2% | 50% | +8.2 pp |
| Female | 54% | 50% | +4.0 pp |
| First Attempt | 56.9% | 50% | +6.9 pp |
| Automatic | 49% | 50% | -1.0 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
54.6%
2021/22
56.9%
2022/23
61.1%
2023/24
56.7%
2024/25
53.7%
2025/26
56.3%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2025 - March 2026
9,194
Total
5,027
Male
4,167
Female
253 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Preston 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 We do not publish a verified review rating for Preston.
For context, the DVSA recorded 9,194 tests here with an overall pass rate of 56.3% in April 2025 - March 2026. The first-attempt pass rate was 56.9%. 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 Preston test plan
Start with Preston selected, then combine local road practice, weak-area work, readiness checks, and route confidence. Current pass rate: 56.3%.
Preston Test Routes
We have mapped 10 real driving test routes used at Preston (PR2 2PD). Routes range from 9.5 km (23 mins) to 20.2 km (35 mins), with an average distance of 13.4 km taking around 29 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
10
Total Routes
29 min
Avg Duration
13.4 km
Avg Distance
5
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 9.5 km | 23 min |
| #11 | 11.5 km | 28 min |
| #13 | 14.9 km | 30 min |
| #15 | 13.8 km | 37 min |
| #19 | 10.2 km | 27 min |
| #20 | 11.1 km | 26 min |
| #21 | 12.8 km | 24 min |
| #22 | 19 km | 27 min |
| #23 | 20.2 km | 35 min |
| #24 | 11.3 km | 29 min |
Roads Used in Preston Test Routes
Across all 10 routes, examiners at Preston use 84 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 10 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.
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Preparing for Your Test at Preston
Skills to Discuss With Your Instructor
- Coping with steep hills in towns built on Lancashire and Pennine hillsides
- Merging with fast-moving traffic on dual carriageways near motorway connections
- Handling multi-lane roundabouts on busy ring roads and bypasses
- Reading unfamiliar road layouts where historic street patterns override modern standards
- Dealing with the volume of traffic typical of a busy urban centre handling 11,380 tests per year
What the Pass Rate Can Tell You
The 56.3% recorded pass rate at Preston was 6.3 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 Preston's routes — drive them.
All 10 test routes with turn-by-turn voice navigation — free to download.
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Preston
Expert Tips
- 1
Build confidence navigating narrow terraced streets with parked cars on both sides.
- 2
Get used to tram line crossings if your centre is in the Greater Manchester Metrolink area.
- 3
Get comfortable with multi-lane roundabouts, which feature prominently on routes around north-west centres.
- 4
Work on clutch control for the frequent slow-speed manoeuvring required in urban test routes.
- 5
Practise maintaining a steady following distance in stop-start traffic without leaving gaps so large that other drivers cut in.
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 Preston
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chorley | 7.8 miles | 52.8% | Above Average |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 10.2 miles | 46.6% | Below Average |
| Southport (Liverpool) | 14.8 miles | 56.5% | Easy |
| Blackpool | 14.9 miles | 51.8% | Above Average |
| Bolton (Manchester) | 16.7 miles | 51.8% | 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 North WestFrequently Asked Questions About Preston
What is the pass rate at Preston?+
The recorded pass rate at Preston is 56.3%. The national average is 50%. These figures are based on 9,194 tests conducted during April 2025 - March 2026. The male pass rate is 58.2% and the female pass rate is 54%.
Is Preston a hard driving test centre?+
The recorded pass rate is 56.3%, 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 Preston have?+
Route coverage at Preston 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 Preston?+
Our preparation guide lists tram corridors, residential, steep hills, ring 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 Preston?+
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 Preston compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Chorley (52.8%, 7.8 miles away); Blackburn with Darwen (46.6%, 10.2 miles away); Southport (Liverpool) (56.5%, 14.8 miles away). Recorded rates may cover different periods; open each guide to check dates and choose somewhere you can practise.
Every Preston Route. In Your Pocket.
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn voice navigation for all 10 test routes at Preston. Practice each one until nothing on test day surprises you.
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