DVSA driving test centre

Bristol (Avonmouth)

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

The Bristol (Avonmouth) driving test centre has a 55.47% pass rate across 9,400 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 8 weeks as of August 2026.

Official DVSA figures

55.47%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

8 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for August 2026

9,400

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

5,214

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#108 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Bristol (Avonmouth) Driving Instructors

Find driving instructors within 10 miles of the Bristol (Avonmouth) test centre. Working with a local instructor who knows the test routes and area can significantly improve your preparation and confidence.

AS
Alessandra Souza Andrade Fernandes
No reviews yet

South Gloucestershire · 4 miles
4475 •••
Female
English
Spanish
Portuguese
On Avg. 5 to 25 lessons to pass
4+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£40.00 - £90.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

GU
Grzegorz Ulatowski
No reviews yet

South Gloucestershire · 5 miles
4477 •••
Male
English
Polish
On Avg. 20 to 50 lessons to pass
16+ years experience
Manual
£45.00 - £50.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

AW
Anthony Walker
No reviews yet

South Gloucestershire · 5 miles
4479 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 30 to 60 lessons to pass
28+ years experience
Manual
£45.00 - £45.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

HA
Habeel Adam
No reviews yet

Bristol · 5 miles
4479 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 20 to 30 lessons to pass
3+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£50.00 - £60.00 per lesson
No block bookings
No mock tests

RC
Roudi Chacho
No reviews yet

Bristol · 5 miles
4474 •••
Male
English
Arabic
On Avg. 25 to 50 lessons to pass
3+ years experience
Automatic
£50.00 - £100.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

MD
Mahdi Daoud
No reviews yet

Bristol · 6 miles
4479 •••
Male
French
English
Arabic
On Avg. 25 to 55 lessons to pass
8+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£45.00 - £65.00 per lesson
No block bookings
Mock tests available

About Bristol (Avonmouth)

The Bristol (Avonmouth) test centre serves the Avonmouth area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 55.47% based on 9,400 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 Avonmouth 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. We've listed instructors near this test centre to help you prepare effectively.

Location & Directions

Address

Unit M6, Cabot Park, Merebank Road
Avonmouth
BS11 8AQ

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 Bristol (Avonmouth)?

Official DVSA figures for August 2026

Average wait for a test

8 weeks

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

Until appointments free up

13.6 weeks

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

Tests DVSA cancelled here

292

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

See how Bristol (Avonmouth) 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

55.47%

108 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

August 2025

60.71% pass rate (255 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

783

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

5,214

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Bristol (Avonmouth) move month to month, influenced by weather, time of year and how well prepared candidates are. While August 2025 showed the highest pass rate at 60.71%, 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 Bristol (Avonmouth) (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

5,214 passes from 9,400 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Bristol (Avonmouth)

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

First-time candidates

55.35%

Across 4,840 first attempts, of which 167 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

51.16%

Across 2,807 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
67.2%1,256
Age 18
62.52%1,030
Age 19
53.78%608
Age 20
56.19%452
Age 21
55.91%406
Age 22
59.16%404
Age 23
58.96%346
Age 24
57.23%346
Age 25
56.95%302
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Bristol (Avonmouth), from 2016-17 to 2025-26

2016-172017-182018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26

Financial years 2016-17 to 2025-26, ranging between 51.38% and 57.46%

Pass rate at Bristol (Avonmouth) by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2016-1752.08%843
2017-1854.36%1,891
2018-1951.94%5,071
2019-2051.38%8,471
2020-2155.66%2,296
2021-2256.12%7,487
2022-2357.46%7,370
2023-2456.31%11,066
2024-2553.7%9,980
2025-2655.47%9,400
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Bristol (Avonmouth)

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

On the day

Test Centre Facilities & Services

Important information about the Bristol (Avonmouth) test centre

Available Test Types

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, ADI part 3.

Accessibility Information

For specific accessibility information about this test centre, please contact them directly or visit gov.uk for the most up-to-date details.

What to Expect on Test Day

Your driving test at Bristol (Avonmouth) 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 Bristol (Avonmouth)

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 Bristol (Avonmouth) 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 Avonmouth area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Bristol (Avonmouth), 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 Bristol (Avonmouth) 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 55.47% pass rate at Bristol (Avonmouth) 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 Bristol (Avonmouth)

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

55.35% of candidates taking their first driving test at Bristol (Avonmouth) passed it, across 4,840 first attempts in 2025-26. 167 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 55.47% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

51.16% of automatic car tests taken at Bristol (Avonmouth) were passed, across 2,807 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 Bristol (Avonmouth) and taking it is 8 weeks. Appointments generally start to free up around 13.6 weeks ahead. Waiting times change every month, and this page updates when DVSA publish new figures. For pass rates it ranks 108 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Bristol (Avonmouth) test centre has a pass rate of 55.47%. This is considered average compared to the national average. Out of 9,400 tests conducted, 5,214 candidates passed their driving test.

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, ADI part 3.

To prepare for your driving test at the Bristol (Avonmouth) test centre, we recommend: practicing in the local area with a local instructor (see our instructors below), 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 55.47% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, August 2025 had the highest pass rate at the Bristol (Avonmouth) test centre with 60.71% (255 passes from 420 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Bristol (Avonmouth) test centre is located at Unit M6, Cabot Park, Merebank Road, Avonmouth, BS11 8AQ. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Bristol (Avonmouth) 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, 55.47% of candidates pass at this test centre. Remember to stay calm and drive as you've been taught.

We've listed driving instructors within 10 miles of the Bristol (Avonmouth) test centre at the top of this page. Working with a local instructor who knows the area and test routes can significantly improve your chances of passing. You can also search by your own postcode to see instructors who cover exactly where you live.