Peterborough Driving Test Centre
· City of Peterborough
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Key Statistics
Getting to Peterborough
The Peterborough DVSA test centre is conveniently located in the city centre with excellent transport links from across the East of England. If you're travelling by car, the centre is easily accessible from the A1(M) via Junction 17, then following signs towards the city centre. From the A47, take the A15 junction and head north into Peterborough. The postcode PE1 will guide your satnav directly to the centre, and there's adequate parking available for candidates and accompanying drivers.
Public transport connections are particularly good, with Peterborough being a major railway hub. The train station offers regular services from London Kings Cross, Birmingham, Leicester, and many other destinations across the Midlands and East Anglia. From the station, it's a short walk or bus ride to the test centre in the city centre. Local bus services also connect Peterborough with surrounding towns and villages throughout Cambridgeshire and beyond, making it accessible for candidates from rural areas who might not have easy access to other test centres.
About Peterborough Test Centre
Peterborough is a DVSA driving test centre located in City of Peterborough. With a current pass rate of 50.2%, it is close to the national average of approximately 47%. The centre conducted 11,021 practical driving tests in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a very busy centre.
DrivingData UK holds 15 years of historical data for Peterborough, 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 594 DVSA-approved driving instructors registered in the PE1 postcode area, giving candidates in this region a good range of qualified instructors to choose from.
Location & What to Expect
Peterborough test centre serves candidates from City of Peterborough 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 Peterborough will take you through a mix of local roads typical of the City of Peterborough 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 918 tests per month on average, so expect a busy waiting room at peak times.
Pass Rate Analysis
The current overall pass rate at Peterborough stands at 50.2%, 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.
Male candidates have a 4.5 percentage point advantage at Peterborough, passing at 52.2% compared to 47.7% for female candidates.
The highest pass rate recorded at Peterborough was 52.6% in 2016-17, while the lowest was 45.1% in 2018-19.
Looking at the monthly breakdown for 2024-25, the highest pass rate was recorded in Nov at 53.8%, while the lowest was in Jul at 45.7%. The monthly variation is fairly modest, suggesting consistent conditions throughout the year.
Peterborough Historical Performance
Our records for Peterborough begin in the 2008-09 financial year, when the pass rate stood at 45.6% from 6,624 tests. By 2016-17, the rate had risen to 52.6%, and it now sits at 50.2%.
Test volumes at Peterborough have grown over this period, rising from 6,624 to 11,021 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 Peterborough
Based on the data we hold for Peterborough, here are specific tips to help you prepare:
- Consider timing carefully. At Peterborough, pass rates in Nov (53.8%) are notably higher than in Jul (45.7%). While many factors contribute, booking during higher-rate months may work in your favour.
- Practice the local routes. Familiarise yourself with the roads around Peterborough. Test routes typically cover a mix of residential streets, main roads, and potentially roundabouts or dual carriageways in the City of Peterborough area.
- Check the DVSA waiting times. Before committing to Peterborough, 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 Peterborough 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 Peterborough?
The current pass rate at Peterborough is 50.2%, based on 11,021 tests conducted in 2024-25. This is close to the national average of around 47%.
How many tests does Peterborough conduct per year?
Peterborough conducted 11,021 practical driving tests in 2024-25, averaging approximately 918 per month. This makes it a very busy centre.
Is Peterborough a good centre to take my test at?
With a pass rate of 50.2%, Peterborough 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 Peterborough?
Based on 2024-25 data, Nov had the highest pass rate at 53.8%. 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 Peterborough?
Male candidates have a 4.5 percentage point advantage at Peterborough, passing at 52.2% compared to 47.7% for female candidates. These differences often reflect the mix of candidates rather than any inherent advantage.
Looking for an earlier test date at Peterborough?
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
Peterborough pass rate over 15 years
Monthly Breakdown (2024-25)
| Month | Tests | Passes | Pass Rate | Male Rate | Female Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 1,002 | 523 | 52.2% | 56.0% | 47.6% |
| May | 946 | 446 | 47.1% | 48.7% | 45.3% |
| Jun | 926 | 445 | 48.1% | 47.3% | 49.0% |
| Jul | 888 | 406 | 45.7% | 47.2% | 44.0% |
| Aug | 981 | 503 | 51.3% | 54.3% | 47.7% |
| Sep | 982 | 475 | 48.4% | 50.6% | 45.8% |
| Oct | 1,139 | 538 | 47.2% | 48.9% | 44.8% |
| Nov | 859 | 462 | 53.8% | 56.4% | 50.4% |
| Dec | 792 | 421 | 53.2% | 53.9% | 52.3% |
| Jan | 821 | 436 | 53.1% | 53.9% | 51.9% |
| Feb | 820 | 419 | 51.1% | 56.5% | 44.9% |
| Mar | 865 | 461 | 53.3% | 54.5% | 51.7% |
Gender Comparison
Male candidates pass at a 4.5pp higher rate than female candidates at Peterborough.
Pass Rate by Age
How do different age groups perform at Peterborough? The chart below shows pass rates for candidates aged 17 to 25, who account for 6,170 of the tests conducted here.
17-year-olds have the highest pass rate at Peterborough with 62.0% from 1607 tests, while 24-year-olds have the lowest at 49.6%. 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 | 1,607 | 62.0% | 64.2% | 59.5% |
| 18 | 1,266 | 52.6% | 53.2% | 51.9% |
| 19 | 770 | 51.0% | 49.8% | 52.6% |
| 20 | 539 | 51.2% | 56.4% | 44.9% |
| 21 | 477 | 54.7% | 51.1% | 59.9% |
| 22 | 413 | 54.2% | 51.5% | 57.7% |
| 23 | 351 | 50.7% | 54.8% | 44.8% |
| 24 | 395 | 49.6% | 53.2% | 45.1% |
| 25 | 352 | 49.7% | 49.1% | 50.7% |
Automatic vs Manual
At Peterborough, the automatic test pass rate is 45.2%, which is 5.0 percentage points lower than the overall pass rate of 50.2%. With 3,034 automatic tests conducted, this is a well-tested centre for auto candidates.
Male automatic candidates pass at 48.7% compared to 43.3% for females.