DVSA driving test centre

Banbury

Find driving instructors near the Banbury test centre in Banbury. Browse local instructors, view test centre statistics, and prepare for your driving test with local instructors who know the area.

The Banbury driving test centre has a 41.25% pass rate across 9,069 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 18.1 weeks as of August 2026.

Official DVSA figures

41.25%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

18.1 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for August 2026

9,069

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

3,741

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#298 of 316 in Britain

We don't have any instructors near Banbury yet

No driving instructors are listed within 10 miles of Banbury at the moment. You can search the directory with your own postcode, or use the DVSA's official service to find approved instructors near you.

About Banbury

The Banbury test centre serves the Banbury area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 41.25% based on 9,069 tests conducted, this test centre provides valuable insights for learner drivers preparing for their practical examination. Understanding the local area and practicing with an instructor familiar with the test centre can make a significant difference in your preparation and confidence on test day.

Success at any test centre comes down to thorough preparation. Working with a local driving instructor who knows the Banbury area means you'll practice on roads similar to those used during your test, become familiar with local traffic patterns, and build the skills and confidence needed to pass.

Location & Directions

Address

Suite 008 and 009, Colin Sanders Innovation Centre, Mewburn Road
Banbury
OX16 9PA

View on Google Maps

Book Your Test

Visit gov.uk/book-driving-test to book your driving test.

Waiting times

How long is the wait at Banbury?

Official DVSA figures for August 2026

Average wait for a test

18.1 weeks

The median time between booking a test here and taking it.

Until appointments free up

24 weeks

How far ahead you have to look before this centre has a reasonable choice of slots.

Tests DVSA cancelled here

706

Over 2025-26, mostly examiner medical absence. These are cancellations by DVSA - examiner absence, weather, industrial action - not by candidates. A cancelled test is rebooked at no charge.

See how Banbury compares: waiting times at every UK test centre

The numbers

Test Centre Statistics

Official DVSA figures from April 2025 to March 2026 (2025-26)

Overall Pass Rate

41.25%

298 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

January 2026

46.19% pass rate (285 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

756

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

3,741

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Banbury move month to month, influenced by weather, time of year and how well prepared candidates are. While January 2026 showed the highest pass rate at 46.19%, your result depends far more on your own preparation than on the month you book. An instructor who knows the local roads and traffic patterns is one of the most effective ways to improve your chances.

Pass Rate Trend

Monthly pass rates at Banbury (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

3,741 passes from 9,069 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Banbury

The headline rate mixes first tests with retakes. DVSA break it down further (2025-26).

First-time candidates

39.60%

Across 4,308 first attempts, of which 98 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

35.85%

Across 2,346 automatic tests. An automatic licence only lets you drive automatics.

Pass rate by age

Younger candidates tend to pass more often - worth knowing before comparing yourself to the headline number. The number on the right is how many tests that age group took.

Age 17
51.27%1,771
Age 18
44.6%1,509
Age 19
42.27%679
Age 20
40.21%485
Age 21
41.46%369
Age 22
42.38%328
Age 23
42.55%275
Age 24
41.73%254
Age 25
40.16%254
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Banbury, from 2007-08 to 2025-26

2007-082008-092009-102010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26

Financial years 2007-08 to 2025-26, ranging between 39.9% and 55.49%

Pass rate at Banbury by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2007-0852.53%5,583
2008-0952.25%5,267
2009-1051.82%4,666
2010-1153%5,155
2011-1251.86%5,291
2012-1351.18%4,769
2013-1452.89%4,857
2014-1551.57%4,850
2015-1651.83%5,798
2016-1753.85%5,536
2017-1853.05%5,468
2018-1952.29%5,005
2019-2050.17%5,264
2020-2155.49%1,631
2021-2246.02%6,265
2022-2343.5%6,747
2023-2440.83%6,679
2024-2539.9%8,241
2025-2641.25%9,069
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Banbury

Trainee driving instructors sit their qualifying tests at ordinary test centres - these are the figures for this one.

ADI Part 3 pass rate (2025-26)

33.33%

The instructional-ability test - nationally the hardest step. Every centre's Part 3 rate

From the archive

Banbury driving test routes (2008–2010)

These are the official DSA route documents, last reviewed 2008–2010. DVSA stopped publishing test routes in October 2010 when independent driving was introduced; today's routes are different and unpublished, and the test centre itself may have moved site since these were written. Use these to get familiar with the general area - not to memorise a route.

Source: Driving Standards Agency, via The National Archives (OGL v3.0).

On the day

Test Centre Facilities & Services

Important information about the Banbury test centre

Available Test Types

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, motorcycle module 2 (on-road), ADI part 3.

Accessibility Information

DVSA will make arrangements for you at this test centre if you have a disability. This test centre has single stepped access. If using a map app or sat nav, use OX16 9PG. Please do not arrive for your test more than 10 minutes before the start time.

What to Expect on Test Day

Your driving test at Banbury will follow the standard DVSA practical test format. Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time to allow for check-in procedures.

  • Bring your provisional driving licence and theory test pass certificate
  • Your test will begin with an eyesight check (reading a number plate)
  • You'll be asked two vehicle safety questions ('show me, tell me')
  • The driving portion lasts approximately 40 minutes
  • You'll be asked to perform one manoeuvre and may be required to follow sat-nav directions
Preparation

Preparing for Your Driving Test at Banbury

Expert advice to help you succeed on test day

Preparing for your driving test requires more than just learning to drive - it's about building confidence, understanding the local area, and practicing under test-like conditions. At the Banbury test centre, success starts with thorough preparation and the right support.

Work With a Local Instructor

One of the most valuable investments you can make is working with a driving instructor who knows the Banbury area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Banbury, know the local traffic patterns, and can provide targeted practice on manoeuvres and situations you're likely to encounter. They can also offer mock tests that simulate the real experience, helping you build confidence and identify areas that need more work.

Practice in the Local Area

Familiarity with the roads around Banbury can make a significant difference on test day. Spend time practicing in the area with your instructor, paying attention to speed limits, road layouts, and common hazards. This local knowledge helps reduce anxiety and allows you to focus on demonstrating your driving skills rather than trying to navigate unfamiliar roads.

Understand the Statistics

The 41.25% pass rate at Banbury provides context but shouldn't define your expectations. Every candidate's journey is different, and with proper preparation, you can exceed these statistics. Focus on mastering the skills, building your confidence, and taking your test only when you and your instructor agree you're ready.

FAQ

Common Questions About Banbury

Find answers to frequently asked questions about this test centre, pass rates, and preparing for your driving test.

39.60% of candidates taking their first driving test at Banbury passed it, across 4,308 first attempts in 2025-26. 98 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 41.25% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

35.85% of automatic car tests taken at Banbury were passed, across 2,346 tests in 2025-26. Passing in an automatic gives you an automatic-only licence.

According to DVSA figures for August 2026, the average (median) wait between booking a test at Banbury and taking it is 18.1 weeks. Appointments generally start to free up around 24 weeks ahead. Waiting times change every month, and this page updates when DVSA publish new figures. For pass rates it ranks 298 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Banbury test centre has a pass rate of 41.25%. This is considered below average compared to the national average. Out of 9,069 tests conducted, 3,741 candidates passed their driving test.

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, motorcycle module 2 (on-road), ADI part 3.

DVSA will make arrangements for you at this test centre if you have a disability. This test centre has single stepped access. If using a map app or sat nav, use OX16 9PG. Please do not arrive for your test more than 10 minutes before the start time.

To prepare for your driving test at the Banbury test centre, we recommend: practicing in the local area with a local instructor, getting additional practice with family members between lessons (ensuring they're over 21 and have held a full UK licence for at least 3 years), watching instructional YouTube videos for tips and techniques, and completing mock tests. Consider the centre's 41.25% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, January 2026 had the highest pass rate at the Banbury test centre with 46.19% (285 passes from 617 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Banbury test centre is located at Suite 008 and 009, Colin Sanders Innovation Centre, Mewburn Road, Banbury, OX16 9PA. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Banbury test centre, arrive at least 10-15 minutes early with your provisional licence and theory test certificate. Your examiner will ask you to read a number plate, perform 'show me, tell me' questions, and then conduct a driving test lasting approximately 40 minutes. Based on recent data, 41.25% of candidates pass at this test centre. Remember to stay calm and drive as you've been taught.

Officially no - DVSA stopped publishing test routes in October 2010 when independent driving was introduced, and today's routes are unpublished. However, the official DSA route documents used at Banbury until then are preserved by The National Archives, and you can view them on this page. Use them to get familiar with the roads around the test centre rather than to memorise a route.