Bristol (Kingswood) Driving Test Centre
· City of Bristol
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Key Statistics
Getting to Bristol (Kingswood)
The Bristol (Kingswood) DVSA test centre is conveniently located in the eastern part of Bristol, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city and surrounding areas. If you're driving from Bristol city centre, head east along the A420 (Lawrence Hill Way) and follow signs towards Kingswood. The test centre is well-signposted once you're in the area, and there's dedicated parking available for test candidates and accompanying drivers.
For those using public transport, several bus routes serve the Kingswood area from Bristol city centre, including the Number 5 and 42 services. The journey typically takes around 20-30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. If you're coming from further afield, the M32 motorway provides excellent access to Bristol, connecting directly to the M4. Simply follow signs for Bristol East/A420 and continue towards Kingswood.
It's worth arriving at least 15 minutes before your test appointment to allow time for parking and checking in. The local area can get quite busy during peak hours, so factor in extra travel time if your test is scheduled during the morning or evening rush periods.
About Bristol (Kingswood) Test Centre
Bristol (Kingswood) is a DVSA driving test centre located in City of Bristol. With a current pass rate of 52.0%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 11,483 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a very busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 15 years of historical data for Bristol (Kingswood), stretching back to 2008-09. This depth of data allows candidates to understand long-term patterns and make informed choices about when and where to take their test.
There are approximately 609 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the BS1 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Bristol (Kingswood) test centre serves candidates from City of Bristol and the surrounding areas. If you're booking your practical test here, it's worth arriving at least 10 minutes early to familiarise yourself with the car park and check in with the examiner.
Test routes from Bristol (Kingswood) will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the City of Bristol area. As with all DVSA centres, your test will last approximately 40 minutes and include an independent driving section, at least one reversing manoeuvre, and potentially an emergency stop.
The centre conducts around 957 tests per month on average, so expect a busy waiting room at peak times.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Bristol (Kingswood) stands at 52.0%, which is close to the national average. Over the period we have data for, the pass rate has remained relatively stable over the last three years.
Female candidates outperform males at Bristol (Kingswood), passing at 52.9% compared to 51.3% for male candidates, a 1.6 percentage point gap.
The highest pass rate recorded at Bristol (Kingswood) was 54.3% in 2019-20, while the lowest was 45.6% in 2008-09.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Aug at 55.4%, while the lowest was in Oct at 49.3%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Bristol (Kingswood) Historical Performance
Our records for Bristol (Kingswood) begin in the 2008-09 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 45.6% from 2,551 tests. By 2016-17, the rate had risen to 47.0%, and it now sits at 52.0%.
Test volumes at Bristol (Kingswood) have grown over this period, rising from 2,551 to 11,483 tests per year. The data also captures the impact of COVID-19, with the 2020-21 year showing significantly reduced test volumes across all UK centres.
This long-term perspective is valuable for understanding whether the current pass rate is typical for this centre or part of a broader trend. A centre with a temporarily low pass rate may be recovering, while one with a consistently high rate offers more predictable conditions.
Tips for Passing at Bristol (Kingswood)
Based on the data we hold for Bristol (Kingswood), here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Bristol (Kingswood), pass rates in Aug (55.4%) are notably higher than in Oct (49.3%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Bristol (Kingswood). Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the City of Bristol area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Bristol (Kingswood), compare availability with nearby centres. A slightly longer drive to a centre with a higher pass rate or shorter wait could be worthwhile.
- Arrive early and stay calm. Get to Bristol (Kingswood) at least 10 minutes before your appointment. Use the time to settle your nerves and review any tricky manoeuvres mentally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pass rate at Bristol (Kingswood)?
The current pass rate at Bristol (Kingswood) is 52.0%, based on 11,483 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Bristol (Kingswood) conduct per year?
Bristol (Kingswood) conducted 11,483 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 957 per month. This makes it a very busy centre.
Is Bristol (Kingswood) a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 52.0%, Bristol (Kingswood) is a solid choice. Consider factors like your familiarity with local roads, commute time, and booking availability alongside pass rate data.
What's the best month to take my test at Bristol (Kingswood)?
Based on 2024-25 data, Aug had the highest pass rate at 55.4%. However, monthly variation can change year to year, so treat this as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Do men or women pass more at Bristol (Kingswood)?
Female candidates outperform males at Bristol (Kingswood), passing at 52.9% compared to 51.3% for male candidates, a 1.6 percentage point gap. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Looking for an earlier test date at Bristol (Kingswood)?
Test waiting times can be weeks or even months at busy centres. Cancellation checking services monitor the DVSA booking system and alert you when an earlier slot opens up, often within days.
Historical Pass Rate Trend
Bristol (Kingswood) pass rate over 15 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 960 | 518 | 54.0% | 50.3% | 58.1% |
| May | 857 | 458 | 53.4% | 50.8% | 56.3% |
| Jun | 932 | 480 | 51.5% | 51.3% | 51.7% |
| Jul | 974 | 491 | 50.4% | 50.9% | 49.9% |
| Aug | 744 | 412 | 55.4% | 53.4% | 58.1% |
| Sep | 966 | 491 | 50.8% | 51.0% | 50.6% |
| Oct | 1,070 | 528 | 49.3% | 45.8% | 54.0% |
| Nov | 1,067 | 556 | 52.1% | 53.5% | 50.2% |
| Dec | 733 | 388 | 52.9% | 53.8% | 51.6% |
| Jan | 1,045 | 537 | 51.4% | 52.0% | 50.5% |
| Feb | 1,024 | 526 | 51.4% | 51.2% | 51.7% |
| Mar | 1,111 | 583 | 52.5% | 52.3% | 52.7% |
Gender Comparison
Female candidates pass at a 1.6pp higher rate than male candidates at Bristol (Kingswood).
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Bristol (Kingswood)? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 7,264 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Bristol (Kingswood) with 62.6% from 2493 tests, while 24-year-olds have the lowest at 48.0%. This is unusual. Nationally, 17-year-olds often have lower pass rates due to less driving experience.
| Age | Tests | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 2,493 | 62.6% | 62.0% | 63.2% |
| 18 | 1,438 | 56.1% | 54.9% | 57.5% |
| 19 | 751 | 52.5% | 53.0% | 51.8% |
| 20 | 573 | 52.5% | 50.1% | 56.1% |
| 21 | 512 | 50.2% | 51.3% | 48.5% |
| 22 | 395 | 55.9% | 57.5% | 54.3% |
| 23 | 424 | 52.1% | 49.2% | 56.6% |
| 24 | 329 | 48.0% | 46.8% | 49.6% |
| 25 | 349 | 53.9% | 49.5% | 60.1% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Bristol (Kingswood), the automatic test pass rate is 45.4%, which is 6.6 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 52.0%. With 2,059 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
The lower automatic pass rate compared to overall is unusual. This could reflect a smaller sample size or a particular candidate demographic. Check the trend over time to see if this is consistent.
Male automatic candidates pass at 47.5% compared to 43.9% for females.