DVSA driving test centre

Derby (Alvaston)

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

The Derby (Alvaston) driving test centre has a 51.77% pass rate across 8,086 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 7.4 weeks as of July 2026.

Official DVSA figures

51.77%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

7.4 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for July 2026

8,086

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

4,186

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#169 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Derby (Alvaston) Driving Instructors

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

HA
Hawkar Ali
No reviews yet

Derby · 1 mile
4474 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 40 to 65 lessons to pass
2+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£40.00 - £100.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

SI
Sidra Iqbal
No reviews yet

Derby · 2 miles
4477 •••
Female
English
Urdu
On Avg. 20 to 60 lessons to pass
5+ years experience
Manual
£30.00 - £40.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

DH
Dale Hitchcock
No reviews yet

Erewash · 2 miles
4433 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 10 to 20 lessons to pass
1+ years experience
Automatic
£40.00 - £76.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available
Social Media

NT
Nawaraj Thakuri
No reviews yet

Derby · 3 miles
4477 •••
Male
English
Urdu
Hindi
On Avg. 30 to 60 lessons to pass
6+ years experience
Automatic
£38.00 - £40.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

FN
Fedor Nikolskiy
No reviews yet

South Derbyshire · 3 miles
4479 •••
Male
Polish
English
Russian
On Avg. 30 to 60 lessons to pass
10+ years experience
Automatic
£40.00 - £100.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

CR
Caswell Ryan Wildman
No reviews yet

Derby · 3 miles
4475 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 40 to 60 lessons to pass
4+ years experience
Manual
£35.00 - £38.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

About Derby (Alvaston)

The Derby (Alvaston) test centre serves the Derby area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 51.77% based on 8,086 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 Derby 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

Off Belmore Way, Alvaston
Derby
DE21 7AY

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 Derby (Alvaston)?

Official DVSA figures for July 2026

Average wait for a test

7.4 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

187

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

See how Derby (Alvaston) 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

51.77%

169 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

June 2025

57.7% pass rate (356 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

674

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

4,186

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Derby (Alvaston) 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 57.7%, 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 Derby (Alvaston) (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

4,186 passes from 8,086 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Derby (Alvaston)

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

First-time candidates

52.88%

Across 4,342 first attempts, of which 117 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

46.31%

Across 2,708 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
68.72%911
Age 18
59.39%1,086
Age 19
55.99%568
Age 20
51.8%388
Age 21
61.13%319
Age 22
56.58%304
Age 23
56.41%273
Age 25
54.31%267
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Derby (Alvaston), from 2014-15 to 2025-26

2014-152015-162016-172017-182018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26

Financial years 2014-15 to 2025-26, ranging between 44.48% and 52.04%

Pass rate at Derby (Alvaston) by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2014-1545.48%1,150
2015-1644.48%8,163
2016-1745.48%9,811
2017-1846.69%8,949
2018-1946.35%9,038
2019-2048.05%9,139
2020-2152.04%2,971
2021-2250.96%10,242
2022-2348.69%8,300
2023-2447.31%9,467
2024-2551.3%9,260
2025-2651.77%8,086
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Derby (Alvaston)

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)

50.34%

The advanced driving-ability test. 147 taken here, 74 passed. Every centre's Part 2 rate

ADI Part 3 pass rate (2025-26)

27.04%

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 Derby (Alvaston) 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 Derby (Alvaston) 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 Derby (Alvaston)

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 Derby (Alvaston) 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 Derby area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Derby (Alvaston), 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 Derby (Alvaston) 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 51.77% pass rate at Derby (Alvaston) 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 Derby (Alvaston)

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

52.88% of candidates taking their first driving test at Derby (Alvaston) passed it, across 4,342 first attempts in 2025-26. 117 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 51.77% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

46.31% of automatic car tests taken at Derby (Alvaston) were passed, across 2,708 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 Derby (Alvaston) and taking it is 7.4 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 169 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Derby (Alvaston) test centre has a pass rate of 51.77%. This is considered average compared to the national average. Out of 8,086 tests conducted, 4,186 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 Derby (Alvaston) 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 51.77% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, June 2025 had the highest pass rate at the Derby (Alvaston) test centre with 57.7% (356 passes from 617 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Derby (Alvaston) test centre is located at Off Belmore Way, Alvaston, Derby, DE21 7AY. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Derby (Alvaston) 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, 51.77% 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 Derby (Alvaston) 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.