DVSA driving test centre

Sale (Manchester)

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

The Sale (Manchester) driving test centre has a 51.40% pass rate across 10,921 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 15.4 weeks as of August 2026.

Official DVSA figures

51.40%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

15.4 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for August 2026

10,921

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

5,613

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#178 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Sale (Manchester) Driving Instructors

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

A
Awni
No reviews yet

Manchester · 2 miles
4474 •••
Male
English
Arabic
Portuguese
Spanish
On Avg. 5 to 50 lessons to pass
8+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£35.00 - £65.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

IJ
Imran Javaid
No reviews yet

Trafford · 2 miles
4478 •••
Male
Korean
English
Urdu
Punjabi
On Avg. 20 to 40 lessons to pass
16+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£38.00 - £100.00 per lesson
No block bookings
Mock tests available

NA
Nazia Aslam
No reviews yet

Trafford · 2 miles
4477 •••
Female
English
Urdu
Punjabi
On Avg. 20 to 40 lessons to pass
16+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£30.00 - £35.00 per lesson
No block bookings
No mock tests

HR
Harris Rashid Butt
No reviews yet

Manchester · 3 miles
4474 •••
Male
English
Urdu
Punjabi
On Avg. 20 to 40 lessons to pass
25+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£35.00 - £50.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

MD
Manchester Driving Hub
No reviews yet

Trafford · 3 miles
4475 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 10 to 40 lessons to pass
4+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£35.00 - £40.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

FH
Fouzia Humayoun
No reviews yet

Trafford · 3 miles
4479 •••
Female
Hindi
Urdu
English
On Avg. 25 to 40 lessons to pass
19+ years experience
Automatic
£45.00 - £50.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

About Sale (Manchester)

The Sale (Manchester) test centre serves the Sale area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 51.40% based on 10,921 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 Sale 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

36 - 38 Poplar Grove
Sale
M33 7ER

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 Sale (Manchester)?

Official DVSA figures for August 2026

Average wait for a test

15.4 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

306

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 Sale (Manchester) 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

51.40%

178 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

June 2025

55.12% pass rate (398 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

910

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

5,613

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Sale (Manchester) 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 55.12%, 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 Sale (Manchester) (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

5,613 passes from 10,921 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Sale (Manchester)

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

First-time candidates

52.96%

Across 5,346 first attempts, of which 223 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

45.06%

Across 3,662 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
65.05%1,299
Age 18
59.98%1,217
Age 19
58.4%714
Age 20
53.73%523
Age 21
54.05%444
Age 22
56.48%432
Age 23
56.98%351
Age 24
49.14%407
Age 25
52.73%421
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Sale (Manchester), 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 43.93% and 53.9%

Pass rate at Sale (Manchester) by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2007-0845.13%6,933
2008-0944.75%7,066
2009-1043.93%6,745
2010-1148.02%7,962
2011-1247.39%6,687
2012-1347.95%6,578
2013-1447%6,993
2014-1550.04%7,022
2015-1650.72%8,131
2016-1750.24%7,798
2017-1850.91%9,142
2018-1950.05%8,933
2019-2048.67%7,203
2020-2153.9%2,356
2021-2249.57%7,854
2022-2348.75%9,142
2023-2448.97%9,800
2024-2549.1%9,977
2025-2651.4%10,921
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Sale (Manchester)

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)

57.52%

The advanced driving-ability test. 226 taken here, 130 passed. Every centre's Part 2 rate

ADI Part 3 pass rate (2025-26)

15.58%

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

From the archive

Sale (Manchester) 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 Sale (Manchester) test centre

Available Test Types

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

Accessibility Information

You can access this test centre if you use a wheelchair.

What to Expect on Test Day

Your driving test at Sale (Manchester) 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 Sale (Manchester)

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 Sale (Manchester) 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 Sale area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Sale (Manchester), 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 Sale (Manchester) 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 51.40% pass rate at Sale (Manchester) 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 Sale (Manchester)

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

52.96% of candidates taking their first driving test at Sale (Manchester) passed it, across 5,346 first attempts in 2025-26. 223 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 51.40% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

45.06% of automatic car tests taken at Sale (Manchester) were passed, across 3,662 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 Sale (Manchester) and taking it is 15.4 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 178 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Sale (Manchester) test centre has a pass rate of 51.40%. This is considered average compared to the national average. Out of 10,921 tests conducted, 5,613 candidates passed their driving test.

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

You can access this test centre if you use a wheelchair.

To prepare for your driving test at the Sale (Manchester) 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 51.40% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, June 2025 had the highest pass rate at the Sale (Manchester) test centre with 55.12% (398 passes from 722 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Sale (Manchester) test centre is located at 36 - 38 Poplar Grove, Sale, M33 7ER. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Sale (Manchester) 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, 51.40% 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 Sale (Manchester) 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 Sale (Manchester) 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.