England, Driving test centres

Driving Test Pass Rates in Reading

Reading has 1 DVSA driving test centre with a volume-weighted average car pass rate of 49.8% 1.1 pp above the UK national average of 48.7%.Read on for the centre-by-centre ranking, the gender split, first-time pass rates and how Reading compares with the UK national average.

Centres
1
in Reading
Avg car pass rate
49.8%
+1.1 pp vs UK
UK average
48.7%
national benchmark
Total tests
184.6K
lifetime, all centres

DVSA data last updated September 2026

About Reading

Reading is the only DVSA driving test centre tracked in Reading, with a current pass rate of 49.8% (2024-25 DVSA data).

The city's volume-weighted car pass rate is 49.8%, 1.1 percentage points above the 48.7% UK average. The figures come from 184.6K tests recorded across the city's centres; the full per-centre ranking is below.

Reading vs the UK average

Reading
volume-weighted average
49.8%
+1.1 pp vs UK
UK 48.7%
0%25%50%75%100%

Reading above the UK average pass rate by 1.1 percentage points. Pass rates in Reading run slightly ahead of the UK norm, suggesting modestly favourable test conditions.

Easiest & hardest centres in Reading

Pass rate by gender across Reading

Male pass rate
50.8%
weighted city average
Female pass rate
45.1%
weighted city average

Across Reading's test centres, men pass at 50.8% and women at 45.1% a gender gap of 5.7 percentage points in favour of male candidates. Across the UK, the gap is around 2 percentage points on average.

All test centres in Reading

On the marking sheet

Every centre in Reading marks the same sheet, so the choice between them counts for less than whether control, steering is solid. There are 15 categories on that sheet.

Take control, steering. Pull-push steering technique not consolidated; gripping the wheel at the top rather than 9-and-3; late turn-in because of looking too close to the front of the car. Most of the argument about what is a minor and what is a serious comes down to cases like that one, so it is worth knowing which side of the line yours falls on before an examiner decides it for you.

Look further ahead. Practise pull-push on a quiet residential loop with a continuous commentary. never steer while stationary; always inch forward first. Free to use, no sign up. Everything for the day itself is on the practical test hub.

About these statistics

Pass rates shown above use the latest DVSA reporting period for each centre. Rates are volume-weighted across the city, larger centres carry proportionally more weight than smaller ones. Centres with fewer than 1,000 tests in the current period are flagged as low-sample to avoid statistically noisy comparisons. Always factor in your own preparation, instructor recommendations, and route familiarity, pass rates are a useful signal, not a guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

How many driving test centres are in Reading?
There are 1 DVSA driving test centre in Reading, England.
What is the average driving test pass rate in Reading?
Across Reading's car (category B) test centres, the volume-weighted average pass rate is 49.8%, compared to a UK national average of 48.7%. That puts Reading above the UK average by 1.1 percentage points.
Which is the easiest driving test centre in Reading?
Reading has the highest pass rate in Reading at 49.8% (2024-25 DVSA data), based on 6.9K tests in the period.
Which is the hardest driving test centre in Reading?
There isn't a clear "hardest" centre in Reading, the pass rates between centres are too close to call.
Which Reading centre has the best first-time pass rate?
Reading has the highest first-time pass rate in Reading at 49.5% (2024-25 DVSA data). First-time pass rate measures the percentage of candidates who pass on their first attempt, a useful indicator of difficulty for new candidates.
How do I book a driving test in Reading?
All UK driving tests are booked via the official DVSA service at gov.uk/book-driving-test. You'll need your provisional licence number, a theory test pass certificate, and a payment method. Choose any of the centres listed above when selecting your location.
What does a UK driving test cost in Reading?
The standard DVSA car practical driving test fee in Reading is £62 on weekdays and £75 on weekends and evenings, the same across all UK test centres. There are no additional location-based fees. Always book through gov.uk to avoid third-party markups.
Is the pass rate higher at smaller centres in Reading?
Not always. Smaller centres in Reading can show higher percentages but also fluctuate more year to year because of small sample sizes, centres with fewer than 1,000 tests in the current period are flagged as "Low sample" above. Volume-weighted averages give a fairer picture.
Before the practical

Every centre in Reading needs a valid theory pass before you can book, and the certificate lasts two years from the day you sit it. Nationally 44.8% pass the theory.

What to do at the scene, first aid basics and breakdown procedure. All 14 DVSA topics are free to practise, with no sign up. See the theory pass rate by centre or the full practice hub.

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Data: DVSA quarterly statistical release, released under the Open Government Licence v3.0. 88.3K passes recorded across 1 Reading centre.