DVSA driving test centre

Pwllheli

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

The Pwllheli driving test centre has a 68.11% pass rate across 737 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 12.7 weeks as of August 2026.

Official DVSA figures

68.11%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

12.7 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for August 2026

737

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

502

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#18 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Pwllheli Driving Instructors

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

RJ
Robert Jones
No reviews yet

Gwynedd · under 1 mile
4478 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 15 to 40 lessons to pass
10+ years experience
Manual
£40.00 - £40.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

About Pwllheli

The Pwllheli test centre serves the Pwllheli area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 68.11% based on 737 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 Pwllheli 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

33A Cardiff Road
Pwllheli
LL53 5NT

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 Pwllheli?

Official DVSA figures for August 2026

Average wait for a test

12.7 weeks

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

Until appointments free up

15.4 weeks

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

Tests DVSA cancelled here

21

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 Pwllheli 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

68.11%

18 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

November 2025

74.19% pass rate (46 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

61

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

502

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Pwllheli move month to month, influenced by weather, time of year and how well prepared candidates are. While November 2025 showed the highest pass rate at 74.19%, 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 Pwllheli (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

502 passes from 737 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Pwllheli

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

First-time candidates

66.67%

Across 474 first attempts, of which 19 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

58.75%

Across 80 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
76.65%257
Age 18
67.78%90
Age 19
70.69%58
Age 20
77.78%18
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Pwllheli, 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 54.28% and 68.11%

Pass rate at Pwllheli by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2007-0854.28%864
2008-0956.87%895
2009-1054.36%848
2010-1155.52%852
2011-1261.05%842
2012-1359.23%699
2013-1463.83%763
2014-1565.32%695
2015-1666.39%604
2016-1763.08%883
2017-1860.25%785
2018-1958.28%791
2019-2064.46%650
2020-2166.19%139
2021-2263.48%534
2022-2359.79%572
2023-2456.21%838
2024-2566%750
2025-2668.11%737
From the archive

Pwllheli 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 Pwllheli test centre

Available Test Types

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

Accessibility Information

You cannot access this test centre if you use a wheelchair.

What to Expect on Test Day

Your driving test at Pwllheli 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 Pwllheli

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 Pwllheli 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 Pwllheli area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Pwllheli, 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 Pwllheli 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 68.11% pass rate at Pwllheli 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 Pwllheli

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

66.67% of candidates taking their first driving test at Pwllheli passed it, across 474 first attempts in 2025-26. 19 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 68.11% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

58.75% of automatic car tests taken at Pwllheli were passed, across 80 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 Pwllheli and taking it is 12.7 weeks. Appointments generally start to free up around 15.4 weeks ahead. Waiting times change every month, and this page updates when DVSA publish new figures. For pass rates it ranks 18 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Pwllheli test centre has a pass rate of 68.11%. This is considered high compared to the national average. Out of 737 tests conducted, 502 candidates passed their driving test.

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

You cannot access this test centre if you use a wheelchair.

To prepare for your driving test at the Pwllheli 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 68.11% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, November 2025 had the highest pass rate at the Pwllheli test centre with 74.19% (46 passes from 62 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Pwllheli test centre is located at 33A Cardiff Road, Pwllheli, LL53 5NT. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Pwllheli 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, 68.11% 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 Pwllheli 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 Pwllheli 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.