DVSA driving test centre

Taunton

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

The Taunton driving test centre has a 59.51% pass rate across 8,259 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). The median wait between booking and taking a test here is 11.9 weeks as of July 2026.

Official DVSA figures

59.51%

Pass rate

DVSA figures, 2025-26

11.9 weeks

Average wait

DVSA figures for July 2026

8,259

Tests

Conducted over the period reported

4,915

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#55 of 316 in Britain

Local instructors

Taunton Driving Instructors

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

GA
Geoff Alan Leife Charles
No reviews yet

Somerset · 5 miles
4475 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 20 to 26 lessons to pass
2+ years experience
Manual
£40.00 - £50.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

D
David
No reviews yet

Bridgwater · 7 miles
4478 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 25 to 40 lessons to pass
16+ years experience
Both automatic and manual
£37.00 - £45.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

TC
Tony Cross
No reviews yet

Ilminster · 10 miles
4480 •••
Male
English
On Avg. 15 to 30 lessons to pass
10+ years experience
Manual
£80.00 - £100.00 per lesson
Block bookings available
Mock tests available

About Taunton

The Taunton test centre serves the Taunton area as a key location for practical driving tests. With a pass rate of 59.51% based on 8,259 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 Taunton 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 L2, Acres Hill Business Park, Off Venture Way
Taunton
TA2 8RX

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 Taunton?

Official DVSA figures for July 2026

Average wait for a test

11.9 weeks

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

Until appointments free up

16.5 weeks

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

Tests DVSA cancelled here

138

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 Taunton 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

59.51%

55 of 316 centres in Britain

Best Performing Month

September 2025

64.76% pass rate (465 passes)

Average Monthly Tests

688

Conducted per month on average

Total Passes

4,915

Successful candidates over 12 months

Trends

Pass Rate Trends & Analysis

Pass rates at Taunton 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 64.76%, 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 Taunton (April 2025 - March 2026)

Overall Pass Rate

April 2025 - March 2026

4,915 passes from 8,259 tests
Source: DVSA, 2025-26 release
The breakdown

Who passes at Taunton

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

First-time candidates

59.24%

Across 4,526 first attempts, of which 365 passed with no faults at all. If this is your first test, this is the closer comparison.

Automatic car tests

52.93%

Across 1,823 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
68.33%2,264
Age 18
61.82%1,121
Age 19
56.31%483
Age 20
56.53%352
Age 21
60.32%252
Age 22
58.85%226
Age 23
66.82%214
Age 24
59.49%158
Age 25
58.82%204
Since 2007

Pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Taunton, 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 54.11% and 60.69%

Pass rate at Taunton by financial year
Financial yearPass rateTests conducted
2010-1155.74%2,239
2011-1257.23%5,930
2012-1358.07%5,635
2013-1454.55%5,870
2014-1554.11%5,982
2015-1656.68%6,383
2016-1755.87%7,166
2017-1856.36%6,696
2018-1954.43%6,403
2019-2055.1%6,465
2020-2160.69%1,679
2021-2259.62%5,069
2022-2356.86%5,994
2023-2455.5%6,149
2024-2556.3%6,957
2025-2659.51%8,259
Becoming an instructor

ADI qualifying tests at Taunton

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)

63.92%

The advanced driving-ability test. 97 taken here, 62 passed. Every centre's Part 2 rate

ADI Part 3 pass rate (2025-26)

31.71%

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

From the archive

Taunton 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 Taunton test centre

Available Test Types

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, motorcycle module 1 (off-road), motorcycle module 2 (on-road), 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 Taunton 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 Taunton

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 Taunton 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 Taunton area well. Local instructors understand the roads commonly used for tests from Taunton, 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 Taunton 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 59.51% pass rate at Taunton 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 Taunton

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

59.24% of candidates taking their first driving test at Taunton passed it, across 4,526 first attempts in 2025-26. 365 of those passed with no driving faults at all. The centre's overall pass rate of 59.51% includes retakes, so first-time candidates should compare against this figure instead.

52.93% of automatic car tests taken at Taunton were passed, across 1,823 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 Taunton and taking it is 11.9 weeks. Appointments generally start to free up around 16.5 weeks ahead. Waiting times change every month, and this page updates when DVSA publish new figures. For pass rates it ranks 55 of 316 centres in Britain.

Based on recent data, the Taunton test centre has a pass rate of 59.51%. This is considered average compared to the national average. Out of 8,259 tests conducted, 4,915 candidates passed their driving test.

This test centre provides these types of tests: car, motorcycle module 1 (off-road), motorcycle module 2 (on-road), ADI part 2, ADI part 3.

To prepare for your driving test at the Taunton 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 59.51% pass rate when planning your preparation timeline.

According to recent data, September 2025 had the highest pass rate at the Taunton test centre with 64.76% (465 passes from 718 tests). However, the best time to take your test is when you feel fully prepared and confident in your driving abilities.

The Taunton test centre is located at Unit L2, Acres Hill Business Park, Off Venture Way, Taunton, TA2 8RX. You can find detailed directions using the Google Maps link on this page.

On your test day at the Taunton 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, 59.51% 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 Taunton 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 Taunton 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.