DVSA theory test centre

Edinburgh

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

49.50% of car theory tests taken at Edinburgh were passed across 42,186 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). It ranks 46 of 193 theory test centres in Britain for pass rate.

Official DVSA figures

49.50%

Pass rate

46 of 193 theory test centres

42,186

Tests taken

In 2025-26

20,875

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#46 of 193 in Britain

The numbers

How hard is the theory test at Edinburgh?

49.50% of car theory tests taken here were passed in 2025-26, 3 points above 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

49.50%

46 of 193 theory test centres

Tests taken

42,186

In 2025-26

Passes

20,875

Candidates who passed here

Women vs men

52.90% / 46.80%

Women passed 52.90% of 18,716 tests, men 46.80% of 23,470.

Since 2007

Theory pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Edinburgh, 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 49.5% and 70.7%

This year

Month by month at Edinburgh

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 Edinburgh
MonthTestsPassesPass rate
Apr 20253,4371,68849.1%
May 20253,5751,82050.9%
Jun 20253,4721,71649.4%
Jul 20254,0502,01249.7%
Aug 20253,5821,77949.7%
Sep 20253,8571,93850.2%
Oct 20253,7261,81948.8%
Nov 20253,3411,60047.9%
Dec 20252,4011,14447.6%
Jan 20263,3701,64948.9%
Feb 20263,5831,87752.4%
Mar 20263,7921,83348.3%
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.

Next step

Practical test centres near Edinburgh

A theory pass is what lets you book the practical. These are the DVSA driving test centres covering Edinburgh, with their own published figures.

Local instructors

Driving instructors near Edinburgh

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 Edinburgh.

Jon Simpson

Male

City of Edinburgh1 mile

JS
£45-£50per lesson
Email
Experience
9+ years
Avg. to pass
40-41 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Mr Driving

Male

City of Edinburgh2 miles

MD
£45-£50per lesson
Email
Experience
4+ years
Avg. to pass
30-50 lessons
Gearbox
BothManual & auto
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicles · 1 of 2
2022 Honda JazzAutomatic · Hybrid
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
2023 Peugeot GT 208Manual · Petrol
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishArabic

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Tanvir Mahan

Male

City of Edinburgh2 miles

TM
£90-£100per lesson
Email
Experience
3+ years
Avg. to pass
30-50 lessons
Gearbox
BothManual & auto
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishBengaliHindiUrdu

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Rim Bahadur Tamang

Male

City of Edinburgh3 miles

RB
£0-£95per lesson
Email
Experience
5+ years
Avg. to pass
25-60 lessons
Gearbox
BothManual & auto
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Peters Pedals

Male

City of Edinburgh4 miles

PP
£40-£80per lesson
Email
Experience
6+ years
Avg. to pass
15-25 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
2020 Citroen C3Manual · Petrol
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Michael Barry

Male

City of Edinburgh4 miles

MB
£38-£40per hour
Email
Experience
15+ years
Avg. to pass
30-45 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
2018 Hyundai SK18 EMFManual · Petrol
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishGerman

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening
FAQ

Common questions about Edinburgh

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

49.50% of car theory tests taken at Edinburgh were passed in 2025-26, across 42,186 tests of which 20,875 passed. That is 3 points above the 46.5% average across theory test centres. It ranks 46 of 193 theory test centres for pass rate.

At Edinburgh, 52.90% of tests taken by women were passed against 46.80% of tests taken by men in 2025-26. The figures cover 18,716 and 23,470 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.

The practical driving test is taken at a separate DVSA driving test centre. Edinburgh (Currie) (41.55% pass rate), Edinburgh (Musselburgh) (49.45% pass rate) are the centres covering Edinburgh. Theory and practical are booked separately, both through GOV.UK.

Yes - we list driving instructors within 10 miles of Edinburgh 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.