With a pass rate of 46.8% — below the UK national average of 50.1%, Hainault sits among the busier DVSA venues in Ilford and Redbridge. Expect the full range of inner-city hazards on test routes here — tight junctions, constant pedestrian crossings, and one-way systems that punish hesitation. Most candidates who fail do so on observation, not on control of the car itself.
📍 Test Centre Address
New North Road
London, IG6 2XB
Official DVSA booking — opens in a new tab
Pass Rate at Hainault
The pass rate at Hainault is 46.8%, close to the national average of 50.1%. At this centre, the road conditions don't significantly tilt the outcome in either direction — which means the result depends almost entirely on preparation. Candidates who have put in the work on junction observation and mirror habits pass here at standard rates; those who haven't fail for the same reasons they'd fail anywhere else.
Among London test centres, Hainault's 46.8% pass rate places it 22nd out of 45 — above Romford (46.3%) and Finchley (45.7%), and below Loughton (47%) and Mitcham (47%). 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. Hainault 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 Hainault
Before booking at Hainault, it's worth checking how it stacks up against other centres near Ilford and Redbridge — 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.
- Goodmayes driving test centre (3 miles — 43.7% pass rate)
- Wanstead driving test centre (4 miles — 44.4% pass rate)
- Loughton driving test centre (4 miles — 47% pass rate)
- Manor Park driving test centre (4 miles — 38.9% pass rate)
What to Expect on Test Routes from Hainault
Ilford and Redbridge test routes from Hainault are shaped by tight, congested streets — frequent pedestrian crossings, heavy cyclist traffic at junctions, one-way systems, and bus lanes all feature. Candidates are expected to move off safely from a standstill in slow-moving traffic more than once during the test.
The single biggest differentiator between a pass and fail here is junction observation — a proper look rather than a glance, especially turning onto a fast road or entering a roundabout. Every directional change needs a mirror check the examiner can clearly see.
Most Common Fail Reasons at Hainault
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 Hainault and other Ilford and Redbridge centres.
- Pedestrian crossings — response: Failing to give way or stopping over the line at zebra, pelican, or toucan crossings. High-frequency at Hainault 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 Hainault
Book your practical driving test at Hainault 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 Ilford and Redbridge
Choosing an instructor familiar with Hainault'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.
Ilford and Redbridge throws in bus lanes, cycle superhighways, multi-lane junctions, and one-way systems that catch out candidates who've only trained elsewhere. Look for an ADI who actually takes pupils to Hainault regularly, not just someone based nearby.
Search for ADIs near Ilford and Redbridge using the official tool below, then ask this directly: "How often do you take pupils to Hainault specifically, and how much of your teaching covers cycle superhighways and bus lane rules rather than generic London driving?" Any instructor worth their fee will give you a specific answer, not a vague one.
Find an Approved Driving Instructor near Ilford and Redbridge →
Just Passed at Hainault?
Browse used hatchbacks under £5,000 — low insurance groups, cheap to run, and practical for new drivers in London.
Browse First Cars on AllCarsUK →Selling a car to fund your first car? List it free on AllCarsUK →