DVSA driving test centre

Bristol (Kingswood)

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

The Bristol (Kingswood) driving test centre has a 51.93% pass rate across 14,863 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 5.3 weeks as of August 2026.

Official DVSA figures

51.93%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

5.3 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for August 2026

14,863

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

7,719

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#161 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Bristol (Kingswood) Driving Instructors

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

NA
Nadia Ahmed
No reviews yet

Bristol · 1 mile
4473 •••
Female
English
On Avg. 22 to 30 lessons to pass
5+ years experience
Manual
£45.00 - £55.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

PA
Peter Andrew Bryce
No reviews yet

Bristol · 3 miles
4477 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 30 to 60 lessons to pass
24+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£45.00 - £50.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

VR
Victoria Roberts
No reviews yet

Kingswood · 3 miles
4475 •••
Female
English
On Avg. 10 to 30 lessons to pass
20+ years experience
Automatic
£46.00 - £50.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

RC
Roudi Chacho
No reviews yet

Bristol · 3 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

MM
Mukhtar Mahamed Saleh
No reviews yet

Bristol · 3 miles
4478 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 16 to 25 lessons to pass
2+ years experience
Manual
£45.00 - £50.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

HA
Habeel Adam
No reviews yet

Bristol · 3 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

About Bristol (Kingswood)

The Bristol (Kingswood) test centre serves the Bristol area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 51.93% based on 14,863 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 Bristol 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

The Siston Centre, Station Road, Kingswood
Bristol
BS15 4GQ

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 (Kingswood)?

Official DVSA figures for August 2026

Average wait for a test

5.3 weeks

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

Until appointments free up

18 weeks

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

Tests DVSA cancelled here

562

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 Bristol (Kingswood) 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

51.93%

161 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

December 2025

56.11% pass rate (565 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

1,239

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

7,719

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Bristol (Kingswood) move month to month, influenced by weather, time of year and how well prepared candidates are. While December 2025 showed the highest pass rate at 56.11%, 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 (Kingswood) (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

7,719 passes from 14,863 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Bristol (Kingswood)

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

First-time candidates

53.38%

Across 7,629 first attempts, of which 297 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

43.82%

Across 3,099 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
64.06%2,713
Age 18
57.17%1,833
Age 19
53.89%1,067
Age 20
50.93%750
Age 21
56.58%661
Age 22
56.34%623
Age 23
53.64%563
Age 24
48.92%509
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Bristol (Kingswood), from 2008-09 to 2025-26

2008-092009-102011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26

Financial years 2008-09 to 2025-26, ranging between 45.59% and 61.4%

Pass rate at Bristol (Kingswood) by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2008-0945.59%2,551
2009-1046.82%6,187
2011-1246.48%4,836
2012-1347.47%5,010
2013-1449.5%4,824
2014-1548.08%5,345
2015-1648.73%5,089
2016-1747.05%7,439
2017-1847.07%6,356
2018-1949.76%5,504
2019-2054.34%6,662
2020-2161.4%2,065
2021-2254.16%10,683
2022-2353.9%9,844
2023-2452.81%12,259
2024-2552%11,483
2025-2651.93%14,863
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Bristol (Kingswood)

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

ADI Part 2 pass rate (2025-26)

57.79%

The advanced driving-ability test. 244 taken here, 141 passed. Every centre's Part 2 rate

ADI Part 3 pass rate (2025-26)

29.05%

The instructional-ability test - nationally the hardest step. 148 taken here, 43 passed. Every centre's Part 3 rate

On the day

Test Centre Facilities & Services

Important information about the Bristol (Kingswood) test centre

Available Test Types

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, motorcycle module 1 (off-road), motorcycle module 2 (on-road), lorry and bus, ADI part 2, 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 (Kingswood) 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 (Kingswood)

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 (Kingswood) 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 Bristol area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Bristol (Kingswood), 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 (Kingswood) 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 51.93% pass rate at Bristol (Kingswood) 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 (Kingswood)

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

53.38% of candidates taking their first driving test at Bristol (Kingswood) passed it, across 7,629 first attempts in 2025-26. 297 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 51.93% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

43.82% of automatic car tests taken at Bristol (Kingswood) were passed, across 3,099 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 (Kingswood) and taking it is 5.3 weeks. Appointments generally start to free up around 18 weeks ahead. Waiting times change every month, and this page updates when DVSA publish new figures. For pass rates it ranks 161 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Bristol (Kingswood) test centre has a pass rate of 51.93%. This is considered average compared to the national average. Out of 14,863 tests conducted, 7,719 candidates passed their driving test.

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, motorcycle module 1 (off-road), motorcycle module 2 (on-road), lorry and bus, ADI part 2, ADI part 3.

To prepare for your driving test at the Bristol (Kingswood) 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 51.93% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, December 2025 had the highest pass rate at the Bristol (Kingswood) test centre with 56.11% (565 passes from 1007 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Bristol (Kingswood) test centre is located at The Siston Centre, Station Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 4GQ. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Bristol (Kingswood) 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, 51.93% 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 (Kingswood) 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.