Harrow's streets are what define the test at Alperton — dense urban conditions, frequent crossings, tight junctions, and one-way systems rather than open roads. The centre currently records a pass rate of 41.3% — below the UK national average of 50.1%. The typical fail here is a missed observation at a junction or crossing, not a control or speed issue.
📍 Test Centre Address
Bridgewater Road
London, HA0 1AJ
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Pass Rate at Alperton
The pass rate at Alperton is 41.3%, below the national average of 50.1%. The local road network is unforgiving on observation errors — expect busy junctions and conditions where mirror discipline and precise positioning matter. Well-prepared candidates pass at similar rates to anywhere else.
Among London test centres, Alperton's 41.3% pass rate places it 36th out of 45 — above Wembley (40.8%) and Belvedere (40.5%), and below Woolwich (41.6%) and Greenford (41.4%). The highest in London is Sidcup at 58.7%; the lowest is Barking at 36.3%.
DVSA does not publish data for this specific test centre in our current dataset — this figure is a regional estimate based on nearby centres of similar size, not an official DVSA statistic.
Pass Rate Comparison — All London Test Centres
The table below shows every driving test centre in London, sorted by pass rate. Alperton is highlighted. All figures are sourced from DVSA open data where available.
| Test Centre | Pass Rate | vs UK avg (50.1%) |
|---|---|---|
| Sidcup | 58.7% | +8.6% |
| East Finchley | 57.7% | +7.6% |
| Enfield | 53.9% | +3.8% |
| Ruislip | 53.7% | +3.6% |
| Tolworth | 53.6% | +3.5% |
| Orpington | 53.1% | +3% |
| Kingston | 52.7% | +2.6% |
| Uxbridge | 52.3% | +2.2% |
| Twickenham | 51.9% | +1.8% |
| Erith | 51.6% | +1.5% |
| West Wickham | 51.6% | +1.5% |
| Hendon | 51.4% | +1.3% |
| Wimbledon | 51% | +0.9% |
| Borehamwood | 50.8% | +0.7% |
| Purley | 50.6% | +0.5% |
| Stanmore | 50.6% | +0.5% |
| Isleworth | 50.4% | +0.3% |
| Bexley | 49.8% | -0.3% |
| Kidbrooke | 48.1% | -2% |
| Loughton | 47% | -3.1% |
| Mitcham | 47% | -3.1% |
| Hainault | 46.8% | -3.3% |
| Wood Green | 46.8% | -3.3% |
| Romford | 46.3% | -3.8% |
| Finchley | 45.7% | -4.4% |
| Southall | 44.8% | -5.3% |
| Wanstead | 44.4% | -5.7% |
| Chiswick | 44.1% | -6% |
| Goodmayes | 43.7% | -6.4% |
| Croydon | 43.6% | -6.5% |
| Harrow | 42.9% | -7.2% |
| Catford | 42.7% | -7.4% |
| Ealing | 42.1% | -8% |
| Woolwich | 41.6% | -8.5% |
| Greenford | 41.4% | -8.7% |
| Alperton ★ | 41.3% | -8.8% |
| Wembley | 40.8% | -9.3% |
| Belvedere | 40.5% | -9.6% |
| Norbury | 40.4% | -9.7% |
| Hammersmith | 40.1% | -10% |
| Chingford | 39.9% | -10.2% |
| East Ham | 39.4% | -10.7% |
| Manor Park | 38.9% | -11.2% |
| Hornsey | 38.4% | -11.7% |
| Barking | 36.3% | -13.8% |
Test Centres Near Alperton
The nearest test centre to you in Harrow isn't automatically the best choice. Pass rates, road types, and appointment availability all differ enough between nearby centres that it's worth a quick comparison before booking at Alperton.
- Wembley driving test centre (1 miles — 40.8% pass rate)
- Greenford driving test centre (1 miles — 41.4% pass rate)
- Ealing driving test centre (2 miles — 42.1% pass rate)
- Southall driving test centre (3 miles — 44.8% pass rate)
What to Expect on Test Routes from Alperton
Expect a genuinely busy test route from Alperton — Harrow's roads bring constant pedestrian crossings, cyclists converging at junctions, one-way systems, and bus lane sections one after another. Moving off safely from stationary traffic comes up repeatedly, not just once.
Junction observation decides most results at Harrow centres. Examiners are specifically watching for a proper look rather than a quick glance, particularly at T-junctions feeding onto faster roads and at roundabout entries, with a visible mirror check before every turn.
Most Common Fail Reasons at Alperton
There's no per-centre fault breakdown published by the DVSA — what follows is the national data, adjusted for the road types typical of Alperton and Harrow more broadly.
- Pedestrian crossings — response: Failing to give way or stopping over the line at zebra, pelican, or toucan crossings. High-frequency at Alperton due to the number of crossings on urban routes.
- Junctions — observation: Not looking properly before emerging. Critical at complex urban junctions where cyclists and pedestrians approach from multiple directions.
- Mirrors — change direction: Failing to check mirrors before lane changes, turns, and moves in stop-start traffic. Must be visible to the examiner.
- Moving off — safely: Moving into traffic without adequate observation. More frequently marked at urban centres where moving off involves entering live traffic.
- Response to traffic signs — lights: Entering a junction on amber when stopping was possible, or stopping over the stop line at traffic lights.
Full breakdown: The 10 Most Common Driving Test Fails →
Booking Your Test at Alperton
Book your practical driving test at Alperton through the official DVSA service. You will need your provisional driving licence number and a debit or credit card. The current fee is £62 for weekday tests and £75 for evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
Your theory test certificate must be valid when you book — theory passes expire two years from the test date. Check yours before starting a booking.
Test slots at London are in high demand — particularly on weekday mornings. Book as far in advance as the DVSA allows (currently up to 24 weeks) to secure your preferred date.
Find a Driving Instructor Near Harrow
With a pass rate of 41.3% — below the national average of 50.1% — choosing the right instructor is especially important at Alperton. Look for an ADI who takes pupils to this specific centre regularly and can focus lessons on the exact junctions and manoeuvres examiners use here.
An instructor who genuinely knows Harrow's test routes — bus lanes, cycle superhighway crossings, one-way systems, the works — is worth more here than anywhere else. Ask specifically about their track record at Alperton, not just their general London experience.
Search for ADIs near Harrow using the official tool below, then ask this directly: "Of your pupils who test at Alperton, roughly how many pass first time, and which of the junctions on this route do they find hardest?" Any instructor worth their fee will give you a specific answer, not a vague one.
Find an Approved Driving Instructor near Harrow →
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