DVSA Test Centre
Barnstaple Driving Test Centre
Everything you need before booking a driving test at Barnstaple — the latest DVSA pass rates, current waiting times, how to practise the local test routes, and the nearest alternative centres. The headline number: 54.7% of tests here ended in a pass in 2024/25.
Barnstaple pass rate (2024/25, DVSA)
National average pass rate (2024/25)
Typical wait for a test slot (May 2026)
Male / female pass rate (2024/25)
Pass rate at Barnstaple
In 2024/25, 54.7% of practical driving tests at Barnstaple ended in a pass — above the national average of 48.7%. Male candidates passed 55.7% of tests and female candidates 53.6% (from 1,898 and 1,685 tests respectively). That is 0.2 percentage points lower than in 2023/24 (54.9%).
Pass rate by year
| Year | Overall | Male | Female | Tests conducted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | 54.3% | 58.7% | 50.3% | 2,930 |
| 2020/21 | 59.9% | 62.8% | 57.3% | 851 |
| 2021/22 | 55.3% | 58.4% | 52.3% | 3,044 |
| 2022/23 | 54.3% | 57.9% | 50.9% | 3,221 |
| 2023/24 | 54.9% | 57.8% | 51.7% | 3,842 |
| 2024/25 | 54.7% | 55.7% | 53.6% | 3,583 |
Source: DVSA car practical test data by centre. Explore the full history in our DVSA Stats Explorer.
Every DVSA examiner marks to the same national standard — a lower pass rate does not mean stricter examiners. It reflects the difficulty of the local road network and how well-prepared candidates tend to be. Knowing the roads around Barnstaple is the most reliable way to shift the odds.
Barnstaple driving test routes
The DVSA stopped publishing official test routes in 2010, but tests from Barnstaple still follow a consistent pattern: examiners use an established set of routes built from the road network within roughly 20 minutes' drive of the centre. Candidates who have practised on those local roads — the same junctions, roundabouts and high-speed stretches — go into their test with far less uncertainty.
DriveSidekick generates mock test routes for Barnstaple using the real road network around the centre, with turn-by-turn navigation so you can practise independently between lessons.
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Generate mock driving test routes around Barnstaple — real roads, turn-by-turn navigation. Free to try, 2 routes included.
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Waiting times at Barnstaple
As of May 2026, learners booking at Barnstaple faced a typical wait of around 7 weeks for a test slot. About 36% of appointments in the DVSA's 12-week booking window were still available (597 open slots against 1,061 already booked).
Availability changes daily as the DVSA releases new dates and cancellations appear. Check the live picture — and compare nearby centres — with our waiting time checker.
Your 3 nearest alternative test centres
If waits at Barnstaple are long — or you would simply rather sit your test somewhere with a friendlier road network — these are the closest alternatives. Pass rates differ meaningfully between neighbouring centres, so it is worth comparing before you book.
Not sure which centre is closest to you? Use the nearest test centre finder to compare all centres around your postcode.
Where is Barnstaple test centre?
Barnstaple Driving Test Centre
Unit 1A
Benning Court (Off Riverside Road)
Pottington Industrial Estate, Barnstaple
EX31 1AB
Arrive at least ten minutes early. Most centres have limited or no candidate parking, so check where your instructor plans to stop.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass rate at Barnstaple driving test centre?
The pass rate at Barnstaple was 54.7% in 2024/25, based on official DVSA statistics. The national average for the same period was 48.7%. At this centre the male pass rate was 55.7% and the female pass rate was 53.6%.
How long is the wait for a driving test at Barnstaple?
As of May 2026, the typical wait for a test slot at Barnstaple was around 7 weeks, with about 36% of slots in the 12-week booking window still available.
What routes are used for driving tests at Barnstaple?
The DVSA no longer publishes official test routes, but examiners at Barnstaple draw on the same local road network for every test. DriveSidekick generates mock test routes using the real roads around Barnstaple so you can practise the junctions, roundabouts and road types you are likely to meet on test day.
Where is Barnstaple driving test centre?
Barnstaple driving test centre is at Unit 1A, Benning Court (Off Riverside Road), Pottington Industrial Estate, Barnstaple, EX31 1AB.
Pass rate data: DVSA car driving test data by test centre (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence). Waiting time figures are DriveSidekick analysis of DVSA booking availability, last updated May 2026. Distances are road-network estimates between centres.