Bredbury (Manchester) vs Taunton

Side-by-Side Comparison

Metric Bredbury (Manchester) Taunton
Overall Pass Rate 54.2% 56.3%
Male Pass Rate 56.4% 57.1%
Female Pass Rate 51.4% 55.4%
Tests Conducted 9,946 6,957
Years of Data 11 13

Pass Rate Trends

40% 44% 48% 52% 56% 60% 2013 2015 2017 2019 2022 2024 2011: 57.2% 2012: 58.1% 2013: 54.5% 2014: 54.1% 2015: 56.7% 2016: 55.9% 2017: 56.4% 2018: 54.4% 2019: 55.1% 2021: 59.6% 2022: 56.9% 2023: 55.5% 2024: 56.3% 2013: 47.0% 2014: 46.4% 2015: 49.2% 2016: 45.9% 2017: 41.7% 2018: 45.0% 2019: 42.1% 2021: 53.6% 2022: 53.8% 2023: 52.2% 2024: 54.2%
Bredbury (Manchester) Taunton

Bredbury vs Taunton

Choosing between Bredbury and Taunton for your practical driving test? This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. These two centres have very similar pass rates, so other factors may be more important in your decision.

Bredbury has a pass rate of 54.2% from 9,946 tests, while Taunton sits at 56.3% from 6,957 tests in the latest financial year.

Detailed Analysis

Pass rates: Taunton leads with the higher pass rate. The gap is relatively small and could fluctuate year to year.

Test volume: Bredbury is the busier centre with 9,946 tests per year, compared to 6,957 at Taunton. Both centres have comparable volumes.

Trends: Bredbury has remained relatively stable over the last three years, while Taunton has remained relatively stable over the last three years.

Gender comparison: At Bredbury, the male pass rate is 56.4% and female is 51.4%. At Taunton, it's 57.1% male and 55.4% female.

Our Verdict

With pass rates this close (54.2% vs 56.3%), your decision should come down to practical factors: which centre is easier to get to? Which area have you practised in? Where can you get a booking sooner? Both are equally viable options.

Whichever centre you choose, thorough preparation is the single biggest factor in your result. Practice until you're consistently confident, book when you feel ready, and arrive early on the day.

Booking Tips

When choosing between these centres, consider the following practical factors:

  • Availability: Bredbury is the busier centre (9,946 vs 6,957 tests/year), which may mean longer waits for bookings. Taunton could offer more flexible scheduling.
  • Best months: Bredbury's highest pass rate month is Dec (58.0%). Taunton peaks in Sep (62.0%).
  • Practice area: Book at the centre whose surrounding roads you've practised on most. Route familiarity consistently matters more than pass rate statistics.
  • Cancellation checking: If your preferred centre has a long wait, consider using a cancellation checking service. Both centres may have short-notice openings that aren't visible when you first book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the higher pass rate, Bredbury or Taunton?

Taunton has the higher pass rate at 56.3%, compared to 54.2% at Bredbury. This is a 2.1 percentage point difference.

Which centre is busier?

Bredbury conducts more tests (9,946 vs 6,957 per year). The quieter centre may offer more flexible booking times.

Are these pass rates trending up or down?

Bredbury has remained relatively stable over the last three years. Taunton has remained relatively stable over the last three years. Check each centre's individual page for the full historical chart.

Should I choose a centre based on pass rate alone?

No. Pass rates reflect the overall candidate pool, not test difficulty. A centre with a lower pass rate may have more first-time or nervous candidates. Your own preparation, familiarity with the roads, and comfort level on test day are far more important than a few percentage points of difference.