DVSA driving test centre

Merthyr Tydfil

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

The Merthyr Tydfil driving test centre has a 51.17% pass rate across 4,446 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 8.9 weeks as of July 2026.

Official DVSA figures

51.17%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

8.9 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for July 2026

4,446

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

2,275

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#183 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Merthyr Tydfil Driving Instructors

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

GJ
Gareth Jones
No reviews yet

Merthyr Tydfil · 3 miles
4475 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 15 to 35 lessons to pass
4+ years experience
Manual
£35.00 - £40.00 per lesson
No block bookings
Mock tests available

K
Kevin
No reviews yet

Mountain Ash · 3 miles
4474 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 2 to 50 lessons to pass
5+ years experience
Automatic
£37.00 - £37.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

KM
Kim Mary Meintjes
No reviews yet

Rhondda Cynon Taf · 6 miles
4475 •••
Female
English
On Avg. 10 to 40 lessons to pass
5+ years experience
Manual
£40.00 - £50.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

AC
Antony Cove
No reviews yet

Rhondda Cynon Taf · 7 miles
4477 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 1 to 40 lessons to pass
25+ years experience
Automatic
£37.50 - £37.50 per lesson
No block bookings
No mock tests

G
Gemma
No reviews yet

Rhondda Cynon Taf · 8 miles
4475 •••
Female
English
On Avg. 10 to 35 lessons to pass
4+ years experience
Automatic
£42.00 - £42.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available
Social Media
Message

DF
Deborah Flanders
No reviews yet

Rhondda Cynon Taf · 8 miles
4479 •••
Female
English
On Avg. 10 to 40 lessons to pass
5+ years experience
Manual
£37.00 - £74.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

About Merthyr Tydfil

The Merthyr Tydfil test centre serves the Merthyr Tydfil area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 51.17% based on 4,446 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 Merthyr Tydfil 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

Merthyr Industrial Park, Pentrebach
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 4DR

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 Merthyr Tydfil?

Official DVSA figures for July 2026

Average wait for a test

8.9 weeks

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

Until appointments free up

11.5 weeks

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

Tests DVSA cancelled here

510

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 Merthyr Tydfil 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

51.17%

183 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

September 2025

60% pass rate (162 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

371

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

2,275

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Merthyr Tydfil move month to month, influenced by weather, time of year and how well prepared candidates are. While September 2025 showed the highest pass rate at 60%, 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 Merthyr Tydfil (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

2,275 passes from 4,446 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Merthyr Tydfil

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

First-time candidates

50.33%

Across 2,247 first attempts, of which 46 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

42.67%

Across 696 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
62.14%1,054
Age 18
51.33%678
Age 19
47.5%320
Age 20
44.63%177
Age 21
50%156
Age 22
45.06%162
Age 23
45.26%137
Age 24
50%134
Age 25
48.67%150
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Merthyr Tydfil, from 2010-11 to 2025-26

2010-112011-122012-132013-142014-152015-162016-172017-182018-192019-202020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26

Financial years 2010-11 to 2025-26, ranging between 49.81% and 59.67%

Pass rate at Merthyr Tydfil by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2010-1155.91%2,722
2011-1259.67%3,352
2012-1354.65%3,151
2013-1456.87%3,459
2014-1556.95%3,552
2015-1654.9%3,898
2016-1755.46%4,259
2017-1853.17%4,194
2018-1952.93%4,563
2019-2051.96%3,826
2020-2156.9%768
2021-2258.26%3,273
2022-2352.58%3,231
2023-2449.81%3,365
2024-2553.5%3,703
2025-2651.17%4,446
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Merthyr Tydfil

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)

35.29%

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

From the archive

Merthyr Tydfil 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 Merthyr Tydfil test centre

Available Test Types

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, motorcycle module 2 (on-road), 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 Merthyr Tydfil 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 Merthyr Tydfil

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 Merthyr Tydfil 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 Merthyr Tydfil area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Merthyr Tydfil, 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 Merthyr Tydfil 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 51.17% pass rate at Merthyr Tydfil 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 Merthyr Tydfil

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

50.33% of candidates taking their first driving test at Merthyr Tydfil passed it, across 2,247 first attempts in 2025-26. 46 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 51.17% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

42.67% of automatic car tests taken at Merthyr Tydfil were passed, across 696 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 Merthyr Tydfil and taking it is 8.9 weeks. Appointments generally start to free up around 11.5 weeks ahead. Waiting times change every month, and this page updates when DVSA publish new figures. For pass rates it ranks 183 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Merthyr Tydfil test centre has a pass rate of 51.17%. This is considered average compared to the national average. Out of 4,446 tests conducted, 2,275 candidates passed their driving test.

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

To prepare for your driving test at the Merthyr Tydfil 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 51.17% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, September 2025 had the highest pass rate at the Merthyr Tydfil test centre with 60% (162 passes from 270 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Merthyr Tydfil test centre is located at Merthyr Industrial Park, Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4DR. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Merthyr Tydfil 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, 51.17% 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 Merthyr Tydfil 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 Merthyr Tydfil 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.