Search Different Test Centre

Barnstaple Driving Test Centre

Welcome to your personalised guide for the Barnstaple Driving Test Centre. Explore tailored pass-rate forecasts, peak traffic windows for your chosen day, and everything you need to plan a confident driving test in Barnstaple.

How Barnstaple compares

Candidates testing here currently achieve a pass rate of 51.40%, which is slightly above the UK-wide average of 50.04%. Automatic car and first-attempt figures are shown for quick comparison.

UK Overall Pass Rate
50.04%
Barnstaple Overall
51.40%
2025/26 figures
Barnstaple Automatic
41.81%
Barnstaple 1st Attempt
53.82%

Additional breakdowns by gender are included below when data is available.

Male candidates

UK male pass rate
50.80%
Barnstaple male pass rate
50.47%
Barnstaple male automatic
39.87%
Barnstaple male first attempt
53.11%

Female candidates

UK female pass rate
49.09%
Barnstaple female pass rate
52.60%
Barnstaple female automatic
43.30%
Barnstaple female first attempt
54.64%

Pass Rate History

How the pass rate at Barnstaple has moved across every year DVSA has published, from 2007/08 to 2025/26, against the Great Britain average.

Latest (2025/26)
51.4%
Best year
59.9%
2020/21
Change since 2007/08
+4.6 pts
Years published
19
Barnstaple Great Britain average
40% 46% 53% 59% 65% 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023 2026 2007/08 — Barnstaple 46.8%, Great Britain 44.2% 2008/09 — Barnstaple 51.6%, Great Britain 45.3% 2009/10 — Barnstaple 53.0%, Great Britain 45.9% 2010/11 — Barnstaple 52.7%, Great Britain 46.3% 2011/12 — Barnstaple 53.6%, Great Britain 46.9% 2012/13 — Barnstaple 56.4%, Great Britain 47.1% 2013/14 — Barnstaple 55.2%, Great Britain 47.1% 2014/15 — Barnstaple 56.2%, Great Britain 46.9% 2015/16 — Barnstaple 52.6%, Great Britain 47.0% 2016/17 — Barnstaple 46.5%, Great Britain 47.1% 2017/18 — Barnstaple 46.6%, Great Britain 46.3% 2018/19 — Barnstaple 53.9%, Great Britain 45.8% 2019/20 — Barnstaple 54.3%, Great Britain 45.9% 2020/21 — Barnstaple 59.9%, Great Britain 49.8% 2021/22 — Barnstaple 55.3%, Great Britain 48.9% 2022/23 — Barnstaple 54.3%, Great Britain 48.4% 2023/24 — Barnstaple 54.9%, Great Britain 47.9% 2024/25 — Barnstaple 54.7%, Great Britain 48.7% 2025/26 — Barnstaple 51.4%, Great Britain 50.0% 51.4% 50.0%
View all 19 years as a table
Year Pass rate GB average Difference Tests Passes
2025/26 51.4% 50.0% +1.4 5,562 2,859
2024/25 54.7% 48.7% +6.0 3,583 1,961
2023/24 54.9% 47.9% +7.0 3,842 2,108
2022/23 54.3% 48.4% +5.9 3,221 1,749
2021/22 55.3% 48.9% +6.4 3,044 1,682
2020/21 59.9% 49.8% +10.1 851 510
2019/20 54.3% 45.9% +8.3 2,930 1,590
2018/19 53.9% 45.8% +8.2 2,686 1,449
2017/18 46.6% 46.3% +0.3 3,524 1,641
2016/17 46.5% 47.1% -0.6 3,731 1,735
2015/16 52.6% 47.0% +5.5 2,629 1,382
2014/15 56.2% 46.9% +9.3 2,740 1,541
2013/14 55.2% 47.1% +8.1 2,666 1,472
2012/13 56.4% 47.1% +9.2 2,560 1,443
2011/12 53.6% 46.9% +6.7 2,799 1,500
2010/11 52.7% 46.3% +6.3 2,716 1,431
2009/10 53.0% 45.9% +7.1 2,785 1,477
2008/09 51.6% 45.3% +6.3 3,333 1,721
2007/08 46.8% 44.2% +2.6 3,356 1,571

Waiting Times & Availability

How long people currently wait for a test at Barnstaple, and how much of the booking window is still open. DVSA figures for July 2026.

Typical wait
8.0 weeks
3.9 weeks shorter than the GB median
Change on last year
+2.0 weeks
vs July 2025
Slots still bookable
45.3%
712 of 1,572 slots
Weeks to open availability
11.8
Until 10%+ of weekly slots are free

Typical wait over the last 24 months

0 4 8 12 16 Aug 24 Dec 24 Apr 25 Aug 25 Dec 25 Apr 26 Jul 26 GB 11.9 August 2024 — 8.0 weeks September 2024 — 8.4 weeks October 2024 — 9.6 weeks November 2024 — 10.9 weeks December 2024 — 14.6 weeks January 2025 — 11.4 weeks February 2025 — 8.9 weeks March 2025 — 5.4 weeks April 2025 — 3.4 weeks May 2025 — 2.9 weeks June 2025 — 5.3 weeks July 2025 — 6.0 weeks August 2025 — 5.3 weeks September 2025 — 4.7 weeks October 2025 — 5.0 weeks November 2025 — 6.1 weeks December 2025 — 6.7 weeks January 2026 — 5.4 weeks February 2026 — 3.4 weeks March 2026 — 4.6 weeks April 2026 — 9.1 weeks May 2026 — 7.0 weeks June 2026 — 8.0 weeks July 2026 — 8.0 weeks 8.0

Median weeks between booking a test and taking it. The grey line is the Great Britain median for July 2026.

View monthly figures as a table
Month Typical wait Slots offered Booked Still bookable
July 2026 8.0 wks 1,572 860 45.3%
June 2026 8.0 wks 1,720 977 43.2%
May 2026 7.0 wks 1,658 1,061 36.0%
April 2026 9.1 wks 1,551 1,134 26.9%
March 2026 4.6 wks 1,341 1,130 15.7%
February 2026 3.4 wks 1,587 1,312 17.3%
January 2026 5.4 wks 1,619 1,375 15.1%
December 2025 6.7 wks 1,559 1,418 9.0%
November 2025 6.1 wks 1,616 1,529 5.4%
October 2025 5.0 wks 1,381 1,376 0.4%
September 2025 4.7 wks 1,481 1,436 3.0%
August 2025 5.3 wks 1,501 1,427 4.9%
July 2025 6.0 wks 1,459 1,382 5.3%
June 2025 5.3 wks 1,561 1,481 5.1%
May 2025 2.9 wks 1,580 1,509 4.5%
April 2025 3.4 wks 752 712 5.3%
March 2025 5.4 wks 704 700 0.6%
February 2025 8.9 wks 913 862 5.6%
January 2025 11.4 wks 886 873 1.5%
December 2024 14.6 wks 1,010 956 5.3%
November 2024 10.9 wks 1,044 975 6.6%
October 2024 9.6 wks 894 835 6.6%
September 2024 8.4 wks 997 948 4.9%
August 2024 8.0 wks 978 931 4.8%

Calculate Your Pass Rate

Estimate how your chances change at Barnstaple using the same filters available on our test centre finder.

Centre average: 51.40% · UK average: 50.04%

Share a few details to estimate your pass rate at this test centre.

Results will compare your tailored prediction against Barnstaple and the UK averages.

Traffic Planner

Plan the calmest test slot with hourly traffic levels between 06:00 and 21:00 based on typical Google Maps conditions.

Traffic insights will appear here once loaded. Pick your potential driving test date to explore expected congestion.

Source: Google Maps

Traffic data temporarily unavailable.
Low traffic Moderate Heavy Severe

Tip: Nearby schools often create extra congestion around 08:30–09:30 and 15:00–16:00. Avoid those peaks where possible.

Key Tips for Passing at Barnstaple Driving Test Centre

  • Familiarize yourself with the local roads and common test routes.
  • Practice driving during the test centre's peak hours to get used to traffic conditions.
  • Ensure you're comfortable with maneuvers that are frequently tested in this area.
  • Consider taking a mock test with a local instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pass rate at Barnstaple Driving Test Centre?
The pass rate is 51.40% as of 2026.
How long is the wait for a driving test at Barnstaple?
The typical wait between booking and taking a test at Barnstaple is 8.0 weeks, based on DVSA figures for July 2026. The Great Britain median is 11.9 weeks.
How do I get to Barnstaple Driving Test Centre?
Barnstaple Driving Test Centre is located at Unit 1A, Benning Court (off Riverside Road), Barnstaple. You can view the map above for directions.
When is the quietest time to book a test?
Use the traffic planner on this page to check hourly congestion from 06:00–21:00. Aim for the green (low traffic) slots and steer clear of the amber/red periods that often align with school runs and evening rush hour.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency data, for the financial year ending March 2026, licensed under the Open Government Licence