PassRates.uk
HGV/LGV Test Centre, England

Simonswood LGV Driving Test Centre

HGV, Cat CSimonswoodTougher than average

Simonswood LGV in Simonswood currently passes 42.5% of tests, 17.7 points below the UK average of 60.2%. The sections below cover the year-by-year trend, who passes most often, how long learners wait, and how it stacks up against neighbouring centres.

By Vikas DulgundeUpdated MethodologySources
Pass rate (2010-11)
42.5%
vs 60.2% UK avg
Tests in period
4.5K
2008-09 to 2010-11 (3yr avg)
National rank
#119
of 124 centres
1st-time pass
N/A
DVSA omits this centre from DRT122C

DVSA data last updated July 2026

Compare and decide

Simonswood LGV sits in the bottom quarter of hgv/lgv pass rates nationally (Bottom 5%, rank #119 of 124). The strongest hgv/lgv alternative nearby is Roadtrain (Essex), about 14.7 miles away.

Roadtrain (Essex)Best nearby
14.7 mi away
69%
+26.5 pp
All centres in Simonswood→See every centre on the map→Best centre for me→

Pass vs fail at a glance

42.5%passed
failed57.5%

All-time 2.9K passed, 4.0K failed, 6.8K total

How Simonswood LGV compares

Simonswood LGV
42.5%
UK national average
60.2%
Difference
-17.7 pp

The gap at Simonswood LGV is 17.7 points below the national average (ranked 119 of 124 in its category), one of the tougher spreads in the network; candidates who train on the actual local roads close most of it.

Where Simonswood LGV ranks among 124 centres

Bottom 5%
Simonswood LGV sits in the bottom quarter of hgv/lgv pass rates
Rank
#119
BestMedianHardest

Pass-rate trend by year

Simonswood LGV has held a narrow 2.8-point range across the whole series (41.5% at the low in 2007-08, 44.3% at the high in 2010-11); what you see is what you get.

Pass rate by demographic

Male vs female pass rate gap 7.8 pp
Male41.7%
0%100%
Female49.5%
0%100%
Zero faults0%
0 candidates have passed without a single recorded fault across all DVSA periods

Estimated wait time and demand

Estimated wait
12 to 16 weeks
High demand
Weekly capacity
~36
estimated test slots per week
Demand
High
busier than average

Booking is achievable but not immediate: on this estimate, learners booking at Simonswood LGV would typically wait around 12 to 16 weeks from booking to test day.

Peak months
June, July, August, September
when UK waits tend to be longest
Best to book
November, December, January, February
when UK waits tend to be shortest

This wait is an estimate modelled from regional demand and this centre's test volume, not a live booking figure. See how it is worked out on our methodology page, and check the DVSA booking service for live slots.

Centre details

Address

Catherinefield Industrial Est
Heathhall
Dumfries
DG1 3PQ
England

Source: DVSA find a driving test centre (Open Government Licence v3.0), captured 2026-05-12.

Tests offered at Simonswood LGV

  • HGV/LGV

Accessibility & facilities

Wheelchair accessible per DVSA

Parking and toilet details aren't included in DVSA's published feed. For the current on-site facilities, check the DVSA find a driving test centre tool with postcode DG1 3PQ, or call DVSA Customer Services on 0300 200 1122.

About this test centre

Simonswood LGV is one of the DVSA's hgv/lgv test sites in England, located in Simonswood, Lancashire. The choice of routes reflects the local mix of road types rather than any standard national template. Across 2007-08-2010-11 the DVSA recorded 6.8K tests at Simonswood LGV. A solid mid-range sample, the data is reliable enough that the rank position below isn't an artefact of small numbers.

Simonswood LGV is not where the easier hgv/lgv tests happen. The 42.5% pass rate sits 17.7 points below the UK average of 60.2%, putting the centre #119 of 124 nationally. For Simonswood LGV the DVSA suppresses first-attempt figures in DRT122C. Smaller centres get rolled up; this is one of them. The overall pass rate above is the only published figure.

All figures shown are aggregated from the DVSA quarterly statistical release covering the most recent reporting periods available. Pass-rate calculations exclude tests cancelled by the candidate or examiner. Sample sizes and methodology are described in the source attribution at the foot of this page.

Country
England
Test category
HGV/LGV

What learners should know about Simonswood LGV

  • Simonswood LGV is in the lower tier of pass rates nationally. That isn't an indictment of the examiners, it reflects road layout, traffic density, and route mix. Prepare specifically for the centre, not generically.
  • Practising the roads around the centre is the preparation that most reliably pays off. Most ADI instructors in Simonswood will know the road types and junctions learners commonly meet near the centre.
  • If you missed the earlier slots at Simonswood LGV, cancellations appear on the official DVSA booking service throughout the day. Check at off-peak times (early morning, late evening) for the best chance of catching one.

Other test centres nearby

Switch Island
4.1 mi, 4.0K tests, Rank #101
53%
+10.5 pp
Liverpool LGV (System)
7.9 mi, 887 tests, Rank #92
55%
+12.5 pp
Roadtrain (Essex)Best nearby
14.7 mi, 5.6K tests, Rank #37
69%
+26.5 pp
Apex (Peterborough)
11.7 mi, 3.3K tests, Rank #66
61.5%
+19.0 pp
Kirkham LGV
19.4 mi, 18.5K tests, Rank #102
52.8%
+10.3 pp
Atherton (Manchester)
14.5 mi, 31.9K tests, Rank #103
52.5%
+10.0 pp
See all centres in Simonswood→Easiest UK centres→Hardest UK centres→Best for first-time pass→Busiest UK centres→

Frequently asked questions

What is the pass rate at Simonswood LGV?
The current pass rate at Simonswood LGV driving test centre is 42.5%, calculated from 4.5K tests in 2008-09 to 2010-11 (3yr avg). DVSA does not publish first-attempt figures for this centre. Across all DVSA reporting periods on record, the lifetime average is 42.2% (from 6.8K tests).
Is Simonswood LGV an easy or hard test centre?
Simonswood LGV is ranked #119 of 124 UK hgv/lgv test centres by pass rate, placing it in the bottom quarter of hgv/lgv pass rates nationally. Its pass rate of 42.5% compares to a UK average of 60.2%. Centres with calmer suburban or rural routes tend to sit higher, while busy urban sites with tight junctions and multi-lane roundabouts usually sit lower.
How does Simonswood LGV compare to the UK average?
Simonswood LGV's pass rate is 17.7 percentage points below the UK national average of 60.2%. The gap at Simonswood LGV is 17.7 points below the national average (ranked 119 of 124 in its category), one of the tougher spreads in the network; candidates who train on the actual local roads close most of it.
How many driving tests does Simonswood LGV record?
Simonswood LGV has recorded 6.8K tests in the available DVSA data, of which 2.9K passed and 4.0K failed. See the yearly trend chart above to track how test volume and pass rate have shifted over recent reporting periods.
Which driving test centres are near Simonswood LGV?
The closest DVSA test centres to Simonswood LGV are Switch Island (53%), Liverpool LGV (System) (55%), Roadtrain (Essex) (69%) and Apex (Peterborough) (61.5%). Of these, Switch Island, Liverpool LGV (System), Roadtrain (Essex), Apex (Peterborough) have higher current pass rates than Simonswood LGV's 42.5%. You can compare every nearby centre in the "Other test centres nearby" section above, or see them all on the interactive PassRates map.
When is the best time to book a test at Simonswood LGV?
Simonswood LGV currently sees high demand with an estimated wait of about 12 to 16 weeks. Across the UK, waits tend to ease in November, December, January, when fewer learners are booking, and peak in June, July, August. A flexible test date helps: booking into a quieter month often shortens the wait and opens up more available slots. Always confirm live availability on the DVSA booking service.
How do I book a test at Simonswood LGV and what do I need?
Book your practical test through the official DVSA service at gov.uk/book-driving-test, then choose Simonswood LGV as your centre. You will need your provisional licence number and your theory test pass certificate number. Our guides cover how to book step by step and how faults are marked.
How long is the wait for a driving test at Simonswood LGV?
The estimated wait at Simonswood LGV is about 12 to 16 weeks (high demand). That range is modelled from regional demand patterns reported in the National Audit Office investigation into car driving test waiting times, the DVSA Despatch blog updates, and this centre's test volume of 6.8K lifetime tests, so treat it as an estimate rather than a live figure. Across the UK, waits peak in June and July and ease in November and December. For live availability, check the official DVSA booking service.
Source

Data: DVSA quarterly statistical release, released under the Open Government Licence v3.0. PassRates.uk aggregates DVSA centre-level totals across reporting periods.

Edited by Vikas. DVSA data period: 2010-11.