55.4% is the current pass rate at Ballymena — above the UK average of 50.1%. Ballymena 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
Pennybridge Industrial Estate, Larne Road, Ballycraigy
Ballymena, BT42 3ER
Official DVA booking — opens in a new tab
Pass Rate at Ballymena
The pass rate at Ballymena is 55.4%, 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, Ballymena's 55.4% pass rate places it 12th out of 22 — above Craigavon (55%) and Newtownards (55%), and below Portadown (56.7%) and Carrickfergus (55.7%). 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. Ballymena 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 Ballymena
Before booking at Ballymena, it's worth checking how it stacks up against other centres near Ballymena — 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.
- Antrim driving test centre (16 miles — 54.2% pass rate)
- Ballyclare driving test centre (16 miles — 58.4% pass rate)
- Carrickfergus driving test centre (16 miles — 55.7% pass rate)
- Newtownabbey driving test centre (16 miles — 49.6% pass rate)
What to Expect on Test Routes from Ballymena
Ballymena's road network is what you're tested on at Ballymena, 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 Ballymena
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 Ballymena 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 Ballymena
Practical driving tests at Ballymena 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 Ballymena
Ballymena's 55.4% pass rate is above the national average — but that doesn't mean preparation matters less. Candidates who do well here tend to use an instructor who knows the local routes and can target the specific road types the examiner will test on.
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 Ballymena's test routes, not just the DVA rules in general.
Search for ADIs near Ballymena using the official tool below, then ask this directly: "How many of your pupils have tested at Ballymena 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 →
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