DVSA driving test centre

Chippenham

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

The Chippenham driving test centre has a 56.44% pass rate across 9,629 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 7.7 weeks as of August 2026.

Official DVSA figures

56.44%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

7.7 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for August 2026

9,629

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

5,435

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#93 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Chippenham Driving Instructors

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

JD
Jonathan David Foreman
No reviews yet

Chippenham · 1 mile
4475 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 20 to 100 lessons to pass
3+ years experience
Manual
£42.00 - £45.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

MA
Michael Andrew Rogers
No reviews yet

Wiltshire · 7 miles
4478 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 35 to 60 lessons to pass
17+ years experience
Manual
£40.00 - £40.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

About Chippenham

The Chippenham test centre serves the Chippenham area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 56.44% based on 9,629 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 Chippenham 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 11, Cavalier Court, Bumpers Farm
Chippenham
SN14 6LH

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 Chippenham?

Official DVSA figures for August 2026

Average wait for a test

7.7 weeks

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

Until appointments free up

17.4 weeks

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

Tests DVSA cancelled here

465

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 Chippenham 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

56.44%

93 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

June 2025

60.02% pass rate (527 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

802

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

5,435

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Chippenham 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 60.02%, 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 Chippenham (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

5,435 passes from 9,629 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Chippenham

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

First-time candidates

55.95%

Across 4,870 first attempts, of which 204 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

50.62%

Across 1,784 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
64.3%2,482
Age 18
57.09%1,431
Age 19
52.09%693
Age 20
56.75%467
Age 21
59.17%387
Age 22
57.98%357
Age 23
60.07%293
Age 24
56.09%271
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Chippenham, 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 44.69% and 56.44%

Pass rate at Chippenham by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2007-0851.81%5,696
2008-0951.15%7,267
2009-1052.22%7,325
2010-1151.88%7,317
2011-1251.3%6,875
2012-1349.53%5,695
2013-1449.4%5,344
2014-1552.78%4,989
2015-1650.35%4,665
2016-1747.66%5,745
2017-1844.69%6,041
2018-1945.94%5,292
2019-2047.02%5,634
2020-2150.18%1,407
2021-2245.85%6,610
2022-2346.38%8,229
2023-2447.64%7,066
2024-2550.6%7,641
2025-2656.44%9,629
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Chippenham

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)

60.84%

The advanced driving-ability test. 166 taken here, 101 passed. Every centre's Part 2 rate

ADI Part 3 pass rate (2025-26)

28.21%

The instructional-ability test - nationally the hardest step. 78 taken here, 22 passed. Every centre's Part 3 rate

From the archive

Chippenham 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 Chippenham test centre

Available Test Types

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, 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 Chippenham 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 Chippenham

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 Chippenham 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 Chippenham area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Chippenham, 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 Chippenham 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 56.44% pass rate at Chippenham 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 Chippenham

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

55.95% of candidates taking their first driving test at Chippenham passed it, across 4,870 first attempts in 2025-26. 204 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 56.44% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

50.62% of automatic car tests taken at Chippenham were passed, across 1,784 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 Chippenham and taking it is 7.7 weeks. Appointments generally start to free up around 17.4 weeks ahead. Waiting times change every month, and this page updates when DVSA publish new figures. For pass rates it ranks 93 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Chippenham test centre has a pass rate of 56.44%. This is considered average compared to the national average. Out of 9,629 tests conducted, 5,435 candidates passed their driving test.

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, ADI part 2, ADI part 3.

To prepare for your driving test at the Chippenham 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 56.44% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, June 2025 had the highest pass rate at the Chippenham test centre with 60.02% (527 passes from 878 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Chippenham test centre is located at Unit 11, Cavalier Court, Bumpers Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6LH. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Chippenham 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, 56.44% 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 Chippenham 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 Chippenham 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.