DVSA driving test centre

Chelmsford (Hanbury Road)

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

The Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) driving test centre has a 55.39% pass rate across 9,107 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 17 weeks as of July 2026.

Official DVSA figures

55.39%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

17 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for July 2026

9,107

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

5,044

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#111 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) Driving Instructors

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

EA
Engin Albayrak
No reviews yet

Braintree · under 1 mile
4478 •••
Male
English
Turkish
On Avg. 90 to 100 lessons to pass
1+ years experience
Automatic
£100.00 - £500.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

JB
June Betty Musson
No reviews yet

Braintree · 3 miles
4478 •••
Female
English
On Avg. 40 to 60 lessons to pass
45+ years experience
Automatic
£42.50 - £45.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

D
Dennis
No reviews yet

Maldon · 5 miles
4477 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 20 to 50 lessons to pass
17+ years experience
Manual
£35.00 - £40.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

PT
Pauline Thomson
No reviews yet

Braintree · 7 miles
4479 •••
Female
English
On Avg. 20 to 40 lessons to pass
18+ years experience
Manual
£38.00 - £38.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

RR
Rezarta Rexha
No reviews yet

Chelmsford · 7 miles
4475 •••
Female
English
On Avg. 25 to 35 lessons to pass
3+ years experience
Automatic
£38.00 - £100.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

AJ
Andrew John Pettafor
No reviews yet

Chelmsford · 7 miles
4479 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 20 to 45 lessons to pass
7+ years experience
Manual
£40.00 - £43.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

About Chelmsford (Hanbury Road)

The Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) test centre serves the Witham area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 55.39% based on 9,107 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 Witham 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

9 Crittall Road
Witham
CM8 3DR

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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road)?

Official DVSA figures for July 2026

Average wait for a test

17 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

533

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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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

55.39%

111 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

February 2026

59.21% pass rate (495 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

759

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

5,044

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) move month to month, influenced by weather, time of year and how well prepared candidates are. While February 2026 showed the highest pass rate at 59.21%, 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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

5,044 passes from 9,107 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Chelmsford (Hanbury Road)

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

First-time candidates

55.00%

Across 4,702 first attempts, of which 138 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

49.24%

Across 2,697 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
66.48%1,990
Age 18
57.46%1,427
Age 19
57.53%551
Age 20
55.47%384
Age 21
58.76%354
Age 22
57.61%335
Age 23
53.58%293
Age 25
50%264
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Chelmsford (Hanbury Road), 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 34.93% and 55.73%

Pass rate at Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2007-0834.93%8,162
2008-0938.78%8,664
2009-1038.96%7,891
2010-1138.69%8,388
2011-1239.86%8,019
2012-1339.25%6,863
2013-1440.93%6,682
2014-1542.5%1,167
2015-1644.35%7,477
2016-1749.12%7,425
2017-1845.79%4,693
2018-1946.08%6,452
2019-2048.98%7,675
2020-2155.73%2,033
2021-2251.68%8,504
2022-2350.14%10,432
2023-2448.13%13,213
2024-2544.7%10,758
2025-2655.39%9,107
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Chelmsford (Hanbury Road)

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)

41.38%

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

From the archive

Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) test centre

Available Test Types

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, lorry and bus, 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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road)

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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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 Witham area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Chelmsford (Hanbury Road), 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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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 55.39% pass rate at Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road)

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

55.00% of candidates taking their first driving test at Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) passed it, across 4,702 first attempts in 2025-26. 138 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 55.39% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

49.24% of automatic car tests taken at Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) were passed, across 2,697 tests in 2025-26. Passing in an automatic gives you an automatic-only licence.

According to DVSA figures for July 2026, the average (median) wait between booking a test at Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) and taking it is 17 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 111 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) test centre has a pass rate of 55.39%. This is considered average compared to the national average. Out of 9,107 tests conducted, 5,044 candidates passed their driving test.

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

To prepare for your driving test at the Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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 55.39% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, February 2026 had the highest pass rate at the Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) test centre with 59.21% (495 passes from 836 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) test centre is located at 9 Crittall Road, Witham, CM8 3DR. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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, 55.39% 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 Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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.

We've listed driving instructors within 10 miles of the Chelmsford (Hanbury Road) 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.