DVSA theory test centre

Chatham

Car theory test pass rates for Chatham, taken straight from DVSA's published figures, with what the test involves and driving instructors teaching around Chatham.

44.10% of car theory tests taken at Chatham were passed across 32,955 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). It ranks 134 of 193 theory test centres in Britain for pass rate.

Official DVSA figures

44.10%

Pass rate

134 of 193 theory test centres

32,955

Tests taken

In 2025-26

14,523

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#134 of 193 in Britain

The numbers

How hard is the theory test at Chatham?

44.10% of car theory tests taken here were passed in 2025-26, 2.4 points below the 46.5% average across theory test centres. Pass rates vary by centre far less than people expect - the test is identical everywhere, so what moves the number is who books there.

Pass rate

44.10%

134 of 193 theory test centres

Tests taken

32,955

In 2025-26

Passes

14,523

Candidates who passed here

Women vs men

45.80% / 42.60%

Women passed 45.80% of 15,367 tests, men 42.60% of 17,588.

Since 2007

Theory pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Chatham, 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 43.7% and 69.4%

This year

Month by month at Chatham

DVSA publish the monthly detail for 2025-26. The month you book matters far less than whether you have worked through the question bank and the hazard clips.

Monthly car theory test figures for Chatham
MonthTestsPassesPass rate
Apr 20252,6541,16944%
May 20252,5411,11643.9%
Jun 20252,9731,23741.6%
Jul 20253,2051,44445.1%
Aug 20252,9461,33245.2%
Sep 20252,3561,07145.5%
Oct 20252,6721,18244.2%
Nov 20252,7691,16442%
Dec 20252,7671,17042.3%
Jan 20261,98185042.9%
Feb 20262,6951,26246.8%
Mar 20263,3961,52644.9%
The test itself

What the car theory test involves

The test is the same at every centre. Two parts, taken in one sitting, both of which have to be passed together.

Multiple-choice questions

50

You need 43 correct to pass this part.

Time for the questions

57 min

There is a practice session first if you want one.

Hazard perception clips

14

15 scoreable hazards, scored 0-5 on how early you spot each.

Hazard perception pass mark

44/75

Both parts have to be passed in the same sitting.

What to bring

Your UK photocard driving licence. Without it the test is cancelled and the fee is lost. Arrive around 15 minutes early, and expect to leave phones and bags in a locker.

How long the pass lasts

Two years. If you have not passed your practical test by then you take the theory again - which is why booking lessons while you revise, rather than after, is worth doing.

Local instructors

Driving instructors near Chatham

Most learners book lessons while they are revising for the theory test, not after it - the practical waiting list is measured in months and a theory pass only lasts two years. These instructors teach within 10 miles of Chatham.

Mohamed Mujahid

Male

Gillingham1 mile

MM
£40per lesson
Email
Experience
7+ years
Avg. to pass
20-30 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishTamil

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Siddika Ahmed

Female

Rochester1 mile

SA
£40-£50per lesson
Email
Experience
2015+ years
Avg. to pass
30-50 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishBengaliUrduHindi

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Radu Caraulan

Male

Gillingham3 miles

RC
£80-£100per lesson
Email
Experience
2+ years
Avg. to pass
9-30 lessons
Gearbox
BothManual & auto
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksRussianEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Next Gen Driving Lessons

Male

Gillingham3 miles

NG
£38-£40per lesson
Email
Experience
4+ years
Avg. to pass
20-40 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
2024 Toyota YarisAutomatic · Hybrid
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishHindiPunjabiUrdu

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Robert James Springhall

Male

Medway5 miles

RJ
£35-£37per hour
Email
Experience
1+ years
Avg. to pass
6-20 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
2023 Nissan micra N sport 1 litre turboManual · Petrol
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Kam Dhinsa

Male

Gravesham7 miles

KD
£80-£100per lesson
Email
Experience
5+ years
Avg. to pass
15-25 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening
FAQ

Common questions about Chatham

Pass rates, what the test involves, and how the theory test fits around booking lessons and a practical test.

44.10% of car theory tests taken at Chatham were passed in 2025-26, across 32,955 tests of which 14,523 passed. That is 2.4 points below the 46.5% average across theory test centres. It ranks 134 of 193 theory test centres for pass rate.

At Chatham, 45.80% of tests taken by women were passed against 42.60% of tests taken by men in 2025-26. The figures cover 15,367 and 17,588 tests respectively. DVSA publish this split for every theory test centre.

The car theory test has two parts taken in one sitting. First, 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes, of which you need 43 correct. Then the hazard perception test: 14 video clips containing 15 scoreable developing hazards, scored 0 to 5 depending on how early you spot each one, with a pass mark of 44 out of 75. You have to pass both parts in the same sitting; passing one and failing the other means retaking the whole test.

Yes. You cannot book a practical driving test until you hold a theory test pass certificate, and the certificate is valid for two years. If it expires before you pass your practical, you have to take the theory test again - which is why most people book lessons and the theory test in the same few weeks rather than waiting.

Yes - we list driving instructors within 10 miles of Chatham on this page. Most learners book lessons while they are studying for the theory test rather than after it, because the practical waiting list is measured in months and a theory pass certificate only lasts two years.