54.2% is the current pass rate at Antrim — above the UK average of 50.1%. Antrim is run by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) — Northern Ireland's version of the DVSA. Fault categories, test structure, and the pass mark are identical to the DVSA test in England, Scotland, and Wales.
📍 Test Centre Address
Commercial Way, Hydepark Industrial Estate, Mallusk
Antrim, BT36 4YY
Official DVA booking — opens in a new tab
Pass Rate at Antrim
The pass rate at Antrim is 54.2%, above the UK national average of 50.1%. A higher pass rate typically reflects a road network where candidates can demonstrate skills clearly — but the DVSA standard is identical everywhere. Do not mistake the pass rate for a measure of examiner leniency.
Among Northern Ireland test centres, Antrim's 54.2% pass rate places it 16th out of 22 — above Lisburn (53.8%) and Newry (52.4%), and below Newtownards (55%) and Coleraine (54.3%). The highest in Northern Ireland is Omagh at 62.4%; the lowest is Belfast Balmoral at 46.3%.
DVA does not publish routine centre-level pass-rate data for Northern Ireland (unlike DVSA in Great Britain) — this figure is a regional estimate, not an official DVA statistic.
Pass Rate Comparison — All Northern Ireland Test Centres
The table below shows every driving test centre in Northern Ireland, sorted by pass rate. Antrim is highlighted. Figures for Northern Ireland are regional estimates — DVA does not publish routine centre-level pass-rate data the way DVSA does for Great Britain.
| Test Centre | Pass Rate | vs UK avg (50.1%) |
|---|---|---|
| Omagh | 62.4% | +12.3% |
| Cookstown | 61.8% | +11.7% |
| Enniskillen | 61.7% | +11.6% |
| Strabane | 60.2% | +10.1% |
| Banbridge | 60.1% | +10% |
| Downpatrick | 59.3% | +9.2% |
| Larne | 58.6% | +8.5% |
| Ballyclare | 58.4% | +8.3% |
| Armagh | 57.9% | +7.8% |
| Portadown | 56.7% | +6.6% |
| Carrickfergus | 55.7% | +5.6% |
| Ballymena | 55.4% | +5.3% |
| Craigavon | 55% | +4.9% |
| Newtownards | 55% | +4.9% |
| Coleraine | 54.3% | +4.2% |
| Antrim ★ | 54.2% | +4.1% |
| Lisburn | 53.8% | +3.7% |
| Newry | 52.4% | +2.3% |
| Belfast Hydebank | 50.7% | +0.6% |
| Newtownabbey | 49.6% | -0.5% |
| Londonderry | 47.8% | -2.3% |
| Belfast Balmoral | 46.3% | -3.8% |
Test Centres Near Antrim
Before booking at Antrim, it's worth checking how it stacks up against other centres near Antrim — pass rate, route type, and typical wait for a slot can all vary more than you'd expect between centres just a few miles apart.
- Ballyclare driving test centre (0 miles — 58.4% pass rate)
- Carrickfergus driving test centre (0 miles — 55.7% pass rate)
- Newtownabbey driving test centre (0 miles — 49.6% pass rate)
- Belfast Balmoral driving test centre (7 miles — 46.3% pass rate)
What to Expect on Test Routes from Antrim
Antrim's road network is what you're tested on at Antrim, under Roads Service NI markings and signage that follow the same conventions used across the rest of the UK. Structurally, it's the same test as the DVSA runs in England, Scotland, and Wales — same fault categories, same 15 driver fault maximum, same instant-fail rules for serious and dangerous faults.
As everywhere else in the UK, junction observation and mirror discipline before changing direction account for most failures at Northern Ireland centres.
Most Common Fail Reasons at Antrim
DVSA doesn't break fault data down by centre, so the list below is the national picture, weighted for the kind of roads you'll actually face at Antrim and other Northern Ireland centres.
- Junctions — observation: Not looking properly before emerging. The most common fail category across all Northern Ireland test centres.
- Mirrors — change direction: Failing to check mirrors before turning or changing direction.
- Control — steering: Coarse or inconsistent steering on town centre streets and A-roads.
- Junctions — turning right: Incorrect positioning or failing to observe cyclists and pedestrians when turning right.
- Response to traffic lights: Proceeding on amber when safe stopping was possible.
Full breakdown: The 10 Most Common Driving Test Fails →
Booking Your Test at Antrim
Practical driving tests at Antrim are booked through NIDirect — the Northern Ireland government's online service, administered by the DVA. You will need your provisional driving licence number and a payment card. The test fee is set by DVA and differs slightly from the DVSA rate in Great Britain — check the current fee on the NIDirect booking page before proceeding.
Your theory test must be passed before you can book a practical test in Northern Ireland. DVA theory certificates expire two years from the pass date.
Find a Driving Instructor Near Antrim
Choosing an instructor familiar with Antrim's test routes is one of the most effective things you can do before test day. Local route knowledge means your final lessons can focus on the exact junctions and manoeuvres you'll face — not generic practice.
Since Northern Ireland tests run under the DVA rather than the DVSA, the manoeuvre requirements differ slightly from the rest of the UK. Make sure your instructor actually knows Antrim's test routes, not just the DVA rules in general.
Search for ADIs near Antrim using the official tool below, then ask this directly: "How many of your pupils have tested at Antrim specifically, and which manoeuvres or junctions do they usually need the most practice on?" Any instructor worth their fee will give you a specific answer, not a vague one.
Find a DVA-approved instructor via NIDirect →
Just Passed at Antrim?
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