Swansea Driving Test Routes
Practice the exact driving test routes used at Swansea with turn-by-turn navigation. Know every junction, roundabout, and tricky spot before test day.
Swansea Pass Rate Statistics
Pass Rate Comparison
| Category | Swansea | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 52.1% | 51.8% | +0.3% |
| Male | 51.3% | 51.8% | -0.5% |
| Female | 53.3% | 51.8% | +1.5% |
| First Attempt | 53.8% | 51.8% | +2.0% |
| Automatic | 42.3% | 51.8% | -9.5% |
Pass Rate by Age (17-25)
Historical Pass Rate Trend
2019/20
52.5%
2021/22
49.3%
2022/23
52.8%
2023/24
53.4%
2024/25
52.1%
Tests Conducted
Data period: April 2024 - March 2025
10,590
Total
6,068
Male
4,522
Female
144 candidates achieved zero driving faults in this period.
Swansea Test Routes
We have mapped 24 real driving test routes used at Swansea (SA1 8QY). Routes range from 8.6 km (19 mins) to 20.9 km (31 mins), with an average distance of 12.7 km taking around 30 minutes. Practice every route with turn-by-turn navigation in the app before your test day.
24
Total Routes
30 min
Avg Duration
12.7 km
Avg Distance
5
Avg Roundabouts
Route Overview
| Route | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 12.9 km | 31 min |
| #5 | 17 km | 37 min |
| #6 | 17.8 km | 39 min |
| #7 | 11.6 km | 27 min |
| #8 | 14.3 km | 34 min |
| #9 | 13.8 km | 37 min |
| #10 | 13.8 km | 35 min |
| #11 | 20.9 km | 31 min |
| #12 | 17.3 km | 39 min |
| #13 | 10 km | 26 min |
+ 14 more routes available in the app
Roads Used in Swansea Test Routes
Across all 24 routes, examiners at Swansea use 128 different roads. Familiarise yourself with these roads before your test:
Practice All 24 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.
What Makes Swansea Challenging
Key Challenges
- Reading bilingual road signs quickly without losing focus on the road ahead
- Managing hill starts on gradients steeper than those found in flatter parts of the UK
- Adjusting speed for sudden bends on valley roads with limited forward visibility
- Timing overtakes of slow vehicles on roads with few safe passing opportunities
- Handling conditions that automatic transmission candidates find particularly challenging, as reflected in the 42.3% automatic pass rate versus 52.1% overall
- Dealing with the volume of traffic typical of a busy urban centre handling 10,590 tests per year
Difficulty Analysis
At 52.1%, the pass rate at Swansea is effectively in line with the national average of 51.8%, sitting squarely in the middle of the difficulty spectrum at rank 198 of 322. Pass rates have remained relatively stable over the recorded period, fluctuating between 49.3% and 53.4%, a range of just 4.1 percentage points. Younger candidates at 17 perform notably well here with a 68.2% pass rate, compared to an average of 54.9% for those aged 22-25.
Road Types to Prepare For
How to Pass Your Driving Test at Swansea
Expert Tips
- 1
Build experience on roads where livestock may be present, knowing how to respond calmly and safely.
- 2
Prepare for variable weather conditions, particularly rain, which is common throughout Wales.
- 3
Get comfortable with narrow lanes where you may need to reverse to a passing place.
- 4
Practise parallel parking in realistic conditions with vehicles in front and behind your target space.
- 5
Work on clutch control for the frequent slow-speed manoeuvring required in urban test routes.
- 6
If taking the test in an automatic at Swansea, be aware the automatic pass rate is 42.3%, notably lower than the 52.1% overall. Extra practice around the centre is advisable.
Best Time to Test
Booking a test mid-week at Swansea, particularly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, often means quieter roads compared to Monday mornings and Friday afternoons. With 10,590 tests conducted annually, this is a high-volume centre where test slots fill quickly.
Test Centres Near Swansea
Nearby Centres
| Centre Name | Distance | Pass Rate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llanelli | 10.2 miles | 51% | Below Average |
| Bridgend | 17.8 miles | 53.1% | Above Average |
| Carmarthen | 22.8 miles | 54.4% | Above Average |
| Llantrisant | 25.1 miles | 50.6% | Below Average |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 25.8 miles | 53.5% | 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 WalesFrequently Asked Questions About Swansea
What is the pass rate at Swansea?+
The current pass rate at Swansea is 52.1%. The national average is 51.8%. These figures are based on 10,590 tests conducted during April 2024 - March 2025. The male pass rate is 51.3% and the female pass rate is 53.3%.
Is Swansea a hard driving test centre?+
Swansea is ranked 198 out of 322 UK test centres for difficulty and is classified as "Average". The pass rate here is at or above the national average, suggesting it is not one of the harder centres.
How many test routes does Swansea have?+
The exact number of routes at Swansea varies and is updated regularly. You can practise real test routes used at this centre with turn-by-turn navigation in the Test Routes Expert app.
What roads are commonly used at Swansea?+
Test routes at Swansea commonly include narrow lanes, coastal roads, steep hills, residential, roundabouts. Being comfortable on these road types is essential for passing. The Test Routes Expert app lets you practise on the exact roads used in the test.
What's the best time to take a driving test at Swansea?+
Booking a test mid-week at Swansea, particularly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, often means quieter roads compared to Monday mornings and Friday afternoons. With 10,590 tests conducted annually, this is a high-volume centre where test slots fill quickly.
How does Swansea compare to nearby centres?+
Nearby alternatives include Llanelli (51%, 10.2 miles away); Bridgend (53.1%, 17.8 miles away); Carmarthen (54.4%, 22.8 miles away). Comparing pass rates and distances can help you choose the best centre for your test.
Know Every Route Before Test Day
Test Routes Expert gives you turn-by-turn navigation for real driving test routes at every UK test centre. No surprises on test day.
- Turn-by-turn navigation on real test routes
- Track your progress route by route
- Pass First Time Guarantee
