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DVSA Test Centre

Eastbourne Driving Test Centre

Everything you need before booking a driving test at Eastbourne — the latest DVSA pass rates, current waiting times, how to practise the local test routes, and the nearest alternative centres. The headline number: 52.1% of tests here ended in a pass in 2024/25.

By DriveSidekick  |  DVSA data to 2024/25  |  Waiting times updated May 2026

52.1%

Eastbourne pass rate (2024/25, DVSA)

48.7%

National average pass rate (2024/25)

8 wks

Typical wait for a test slot (May 2026)

53.3% / 50.6%

Male / female pass rate (2024/25)

Pass rate at Eastbourne

In 2024/25, 52.1% of practical driving tests at Eastbourne ended in a pass — above the national average of 48.7%. Male candidates passed 53.3% of tests and female candidates 50.6% (from 3,139 and 2,470 tests respectively). That is 4 percentage points higher than in 2023/24 (48.1%).

Pass rate by year

YearOverallMaleFemaleTests conducted
2019/2051.7%54%49.6%4,190
2020/2154.9%57.5%52.1%1,733
2021/2254.6%56.6%52.6%6,220
2022/2352.2%54.2%49.7%5,877
2023/2448.1%48.4%47.7%6,917
2024/2552.1%53.3%50.6%5,609

Source: DVSA car practical test data by centre. Explore the full history in our DVSA Stats Explorer.

What the pass rate actually tells you

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 Eastbourne is the most reliable way to shift the odds.

Eastbourne driving test routes

The DVSA stopped publishing official test routes in 2010, but tests from Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne using the real road network around the centre, with turn-by-turn navigation so you can practise independently between lessons.

Practise Eastbourne routes free

Generate mock driving test routes around Eastbourne — real roads, turn-by-turn navigation. Free to try, 2 routes included.

Download on Google Play →

Free during beta — all routes and navigation included.

Waiting times at Eastbourne

As of May 2026, learners booking at Eastbourne faced a typical wait of around 8 weeks for a test slot. About 3.7% of appointments in the DVSA's 20-week booking window were still available (69 open slots against 1,815 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 Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne test centre?

Eastbourne Driving Test Centre
1 Coastguard Cottages, 84 Wartling Road
Eastbourne
BN22 7PT

Get directions →

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 Eastbourne driving test centre?

The pass rate at Eastbourne was 52.1% 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 53.3% and the female pass rate was 50.6%.

How long is the wait for a driving test at Eastbourne?

As of May 2026, the typical wait for a test slot at Eastbourne was around 8 weeks, with about 3.7% of slots in the 20-week booking window still available.

What routes are used for driving tests at Eastbourne?

The DVSA no longer publishes official test routes, but examiners at Eastbourne draw on the same local road network for every test. DriveSidekick generates mock test routes using the real roads around Eastbourne so you can practise the junctions, roundabouts and road types you are likely to meet on test day.

Where is Eastbourne driving test centre?

Eastbourne driving test centre is at 1 Coastguard Cottages, 84 Wartling Road, Eastbourne, BN22 7PT.

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.