Updated with DVSA figures to September 2026
Find driving instructors near the Chester test centre in Chester. Browse local instructors, view test centre statistics, and prepare for your driving test with local instructors who know the area.
The Chester driving test centre has a 47.33% pass rate across 9,212 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). That ranks it 241st of 316 centres in Britain for pass rate. The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 7.5 weeks as of September 2026.
Got a test booked at Chester?
Local instructors know the test routes here better than anyone. Get a few lessons on them before your date.
Official DVSA figures
47.33%
Pass rate
DVSA figures, 2025-26
7.5 weeks
Average wait
DVSA figures for September 2026
9,212
Tests
Conducted over the period reported
4,360
Passes
Candidates who passed here
#241 of 316 in Britain
Find driving instructors within 10 miles of the Chester test centre. Working with a local instructor who knows the test routes and area can significantly improve your preparation and confidence.
We don't publish learner reviews of test centres, and we won't make any up. Instead, this is what the official DVSA figures say about Chester.
Our verdict
About average pass rate
Going by the DVSA figures, the pass rate at Chester is about average: 47.33% of tests here were passes in 2025-26, close to the 50.07% across Britain.
It ranks 241st of 316 centres in Britain for pass rate, and 21st of 32 in the North West.
The pass rate is up 1.1 percentage points on 2024-25.
For people taking their first test, the pass rate was 47.87% in 2025-26, against 50.57% across Britain.
The wait for a test is shorter than average: 7.5 weeks in September 2026, against 12.8 weeks across all centres.
Scorecard
A pass rate reflects who tests here as well as the centre itself: how old candidates are, how many are on a first attempt and how ready they are. A lower rate does not mean the examiners are stricter.
Open test centres within 20 miles of Chester, with their latest DVSA pass rate and average wait. If you can travel a little further, a nearby centre may have a shorter wait.
| Test centre | Pass rate (2025-26) | Wait (Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| ChesterThis centre | 47.33% | 7.5 weeks |
| Speke (Liverpool)7.3 miles away | 40.54% | 7.5 weeks |
| Widnes (Liverpool)10.4 miles away | 42.68% | 9.1 weeks |
| Upton11.5 miles away | 52.61% | 12.1 weeks |
| Wallasey12.5 miles away | 54.34% | 12.6 weeks |
| Norris Green (Liverpool)13.6 miles away | 37.85% | 18 weeks |
| Wrexham14.1 miles away | 51.90% | 7.1 weeks |
Pass rates are for 2025-26 and waits are the median for September 2026, unless another period is shown. Distances are in a straight line from Chester.
The Chester test centre serves the Chester area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 47.33% based on 9,212 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 Chester 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.
Address
Unit 16, Telford Court, Dunkirk Trading Estate, Chester Gates Dunkirk
Chester
CH1 6LT
Theory test first
Chester theory test centre - 47.60% pass rateBook Your Test
Visit gov.uk/book-driving-test to book your driving test.
Official DVSA figures for September 2026
Average wait for a test
7.5 weeks
The median time between booking a test here and taking it.
Until appointments free up
19.5 weeks
How far ahead you have to look before this centre has a reasonable choice of slots.
Tests DVSA cancelled here
362
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 Chester compares: waiting times at every UK test centre
Official DVSA figures from April 2025 to March 2026 (2025-26)
Overall Pass Rate
47.33%
241 of 316 centres in Britain
Best Performing Month
June 2025
51.41% pass rate (364 passes)
Average Monthly Tests
768
Conducted per month on average
Total Passes
4,360
Successful candidates over 12 months
Pass rates at Chester move month to month, influenced by weather, time of year and how well prepared candidates are. While June 2025 showed the highest pass rate at 51.41%, 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.
Monthly pass rates at Chester (April 2025 - March 2026)
April 2025 - March 2026
The headline rate mixes first tests with retakes. DVSA break it down further (2025-26).
First-time candidates
47.87%
Across 4,395 first attempts, of which 110 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.
Automatic car tests
40.08%
Across 2,031 automatic tests. An automatic licence only lets you drive automatics.
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.
Every year DVSA have published for Chester, from 2008-09 to 2025-26
Financial years 2008-09 to 2025-26, ranging between 41.92% and 50.01%
| Financial year | Pass rate | Tests conducted |
|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 44.35% | 2,532 |
| 2009-10 | 46.85% | 4,399 |
| 2010-11 | 46.86% | 5,533 |
| 2011-12 | 45.99% | 4,531 |
| 2012-13 | 46.15% | 4,134 |
| 2013-14 | 48.91% | 4,731 |
| 2014-15 | 46.67% | 4,870 |
| 2015-16 | 50.01% | 5,035 |
| 2016-17 | 41.92% | 6,114 |
| 2017-18 | 47.03% | 7,066 |
| 2018-19 | 43.47% | 7,057 |
| 2019-20 | 44.01% | 7,750 |
| 2020-21 | 49.56% | 1,911 |
| 2021-22 | 43.23% | 7,167 |
| 2022-23 | 44.73% | 8,245 |
| 2023-24 | 43.47% | 9,838 |
| 2024-25 | 46.2% | 8,026 |
| 2025-26 | 47.33% | 9,212 |
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)
67.86%
The advanced driving-ability test. 84 taken here, 57 passed. Every centre's Part 2 rate
ADI Part 3 pass rate (2025-26)
17.81%
The instructional-ability test - nationally the hardest step. Every centre's Part 3 rate
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).
Important information about the Chester test centre
This test centre provides these types of tests: car, motorcycle module 2 (on-road), ADI part 2, ADI part 3.
For specific accessibility information about this test centre, please contact them directly or visit gov.uk for the most up-to-date details.
Your driving test at Chester 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.
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 Chester test centre, success starts with thorough preparation and the right support.
One of the most valuable investments you can make is working with a driving instructor who knows the Chester area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Chester, 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.
Familiarity with the roads around Chester 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.
The 47.33% pass rate at Chester 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.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about this test centre, pass rates, and preparing for your driving test.
Writing about this test centre? You're welcome to quote these figures. Please credit The Driving Instructor Directory and link to this page.
Source: The Driving Instructor Directory, using DVSA data (DRT122A, DRT122F) for 2025-26 pass rates and September 2026 waiting times. https://www.thedrivinginstructordirectory.co.uk/driving-test-centres/chester
The figures are DVSA's. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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