DVSA theory test centre

Newcastle

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

45.90% of car theory tests taken at Newcastle were passed across 45,324 tests (DVSA figures, 2025-26). It ranks 102 of 193 theory test centres in Britain for pass rate.

Official DVSA figures

45.90%

Pass rate

102 of 193 theory test centres

45,324

Tests taken

In 2025-26

20,809

Passes

Candidates who passed here

#102 of 193 in Britain

The numbers

How hard is the theory test at Newcastle?

45.90% of car theory tests taken here were passed in 2025-26, 0.6 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

45.90%

102 of 193 theory test centres

Tests taken

45,324

In 2025-26

Passes

20,809

Candidates who passed here

Women vs men

48.70% / 43.50%

Women passed 48.70% of 21,038 tests, men 43.50% of 24,286.

Since 2007

Theory pass rate year by year

Every year DVSA have published for Newcastle, 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 44.8% and 67.2%

This year

Month by month at Newcastle

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 Newcastle
MonthTestsPassesPass rate
Apr 20253,8791,81346.7%
May 20253,7631,71745.6%
Jun 20253,8711,77045.7%
Jul 20254,1611,94746.8%
Aug 20253,7961,74646%
Sep 20253,8921,73744.6%
Oct 20254,0431,87046.3%
Nov 20253,4801,52343.8%
Dec 20252,7831,22544%
Jan 20263,4551,53244.3%
Feb 20264,0271,94848.4%
Mar 20264,1741,98147.5%
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 Newcastle

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 Newcastle.

Featured

Paul Anthony Linsley

Male

County Durham6 miles

PA
£36per hour
Email
Experience
2+ years
Avg. to pass
25-50 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
About Paul

Experienced patient and friendly driving instructor , experience working with the Army and various road safety organisations

SpeaksEnglish
MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Niraj Rajan

Male

Newcastle upon Tyne1 mile

NR
£40-£80per lesson
Email
Experience
4+ years
Avg. to pass
35-60 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
2014 Ford FiestaManual · Diesel
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishTamil

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Leslie Ellerby

Male

Gateshead2 miles

LE
£45-£50per lesson
Email
Experience
26+ years
Avg. to pass
10-50 lessons
Gearbox
BothManual & auto
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Nazia Din

Female

Newcastle upon Tyne2 miles

ND
£45-£60per lesson
Email
Experience
4+ years
Avg. to pass
40-80 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishPunjabiUrdu

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Salahuddin Lund-baloch

Male

Newcastle upon Tyne2 miles

SL
£80per lesson
Email
Experience
19+ years
Avg. to pass
22-30 lessons
Gearbox
Automatic
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
Unknown
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishHindiUrduPunjabi

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening

Umit Turkcakal

Male

Newcastle upon Tyne2 miles

UT
£40-£45per lesson
Email
Experience
3+ years
Avg. to pass
35-110 lessons
Gearbox
Manual
Block bookingsMock tests
Vehicle
2019 Ford FiestaManual · Petrol
Dual controlsSensorsCameraHill assist
SpeaksEnglishTurkish

Lesson availability

MoTuWeThFrSaSuMorningAfternoonEvening
FAQ

Common questions about Newcastle

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

45.90% of car theory tests taken at Newcastle were passed in 2025-26, across 45,324 tests of which 20,809 passed. That is 0.6 points below the 46.5% average across theory test centres. It ranks 102 of 193 theory test centres for pass rate.

At Newcastle, 48.70% of tests taken by women were passed against 43.50% of tests taken by men in 2025-26. The figures cover 21,038 and 24,286 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 Newcastle 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.