Ilkeston driving test centre is located in Ilkeston and serves candidates across the East Midlands area. The centre records a pass rate of 52.9% — above the UK national average of 50.1%. Routes here cover a mix of urban junctions, roundabouts, and A-road sections — the transition between those environments, particularly the shift in speed limit and mirror expectations, is where minor faults tend to accumulate.
📍 Test Centre Address
Market Place
Ilkeston, DE7 5QA
Official DVSA booking — opens in a new tab
Pass Rate at Ilkeston
The pass rate at Ilkeston is 52.9%, 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 East Midlands test centres, Ilkeston's 52.9% pass rate places it 17th out of 30 — above Nottingham (Watnall) (52.8%) and Peterborough (51.7%), and below Long Eaton (53.8%) and Lincoln (53.4%). The highest in East Midlands is Bingham at 63.8%; the lowest is Leicester (Hinckley Rd) at 44.9%.
Pass rate sourced from DVSA open data (April 2024–March 2025) where available; regional estimates used otherwise. DVSA statistics ↗
Pass Rate Comparison — All East Midlands Test Centres
The table below shows every driving test centre in East Midlands, sorted by pass rate. Ilkeston is highlighted. All figures are sourced from DVSA open data (April 2024–March 2025) where available.
| Test Centre | Pass Rate | vs UK avg (50.1%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bingham | 63.8% | +13.7% |
| Spalding | 62.7% | +12.6% |
| Ashby-de-la-Zouch | 61.3% | +11.2% |
| Matlock | 61.2% | +11.1% |
| Daventry | 60.4% | +10.3% |
| Market Harborough | 59.1% | +9% |
| Retford | 58.3% | +8.2% |
| Melton Mowbray | 57.9% | +7.8% |
| Alfreton | 57.4% | +7.3% |
| Grantham | 56.1% | +6% |
| Coalville | 55.8% | +5.7% |
| Hucknall | 55.3% | +5.2% |
| Hinckley | 54.7% | +4.6% |
| Loughborough | 54.7% | +4.6% |
| Long Eaton | 53.8% | +3.7% |
| Lincoln | 53.4% | +3.3% |
| Ilkeston ★ | 52.9% | +2.8% |
| Nottingham (Watnall) | 52.8% | +2.7% |
| Peterborough | 51.7% | +1.6% |
| Kettering | 50.9% | +0.8% |
| Derby | 50.2% | +0.1% |
| Burton upon Trent | 49.8% | -0.3% |
| Northampton | 49.1% | -1% |
| Wellingborough | 48.7% | -1.4% |
| Mansfield | 48.3% | -1.8% |
| Leicester (Beaumont) | 47.6% | -2.5% |
| Chesterfield | 47.2% | -2.9% |
| Corby | 46.4% | -3.7% |
| Nottingham (Colwick) | 45.3% | -4.8% |
| Leicester (Hinckley Rd) | 44.9% | -5.2% |
Test Centres Near Ilkeston
Learners near Ilkeston sometimes compare Ilkeston with nearby test centres before deciding where to book. Pass rates, route types, and waiting times can all differ — the nearest centre is not always the best choice for every candidate.
- Nottingham (Watnall) driving test centre (3 miles — 52.8% pass rate)
- Long Eaton driving test centre (5 miles — 53.8% pass rate)
- Hucknall driving test centre (7 miles — 55.3% pass rate)
- Derby driving test centre (8 miles — 50.2% pass rate)
What to Expect on Test Routes from Ilkeston
Routes from Ilkeston cover a mix of town centre streets and busier A-road sections around Ilkeston. Expect multi-lane roundabouts, traffic-light-controlled junctions, and residential 20mph zones. The transition between speed limits — particularly from 30mph to national speed limit on approach roads — is a common source of minor faults.
Pedestrian crossings appear regularly on most routes from this centre, and candidates are expected to respond to them early. Late reactions or creeping forward while a pedestrian is crossing are marked as serious faults.
Most Common Fail Reasons at Ilkeston
The DVSA publishes national fault data but not per-centre breakdowns. The reasons below reflect the national statistics weighted for the road type mix typical of East Midlands test centres like Ilkeston.
- Junctions — observation: Not looking properly before emerging at T-junctions and roundabouts. The most common serious fault across all test centres.
- Mirrors — change direction: Failing to check mirrors visibly before turning, changing lane, or moving away from stationary.
- Junctions — turning right: Cutting the corner, not waiting for a safe gap, or failing to observe cyclists and pedestrians in the junction.
- Control — steering: Coarse or inconsistent steering causing the vehicle to drift or weave through bends and residential streets.
- Response to traffic lights: Proceeding on amber when stopping was possible, or stopping beyond the stop line.
Full breakdown: The 10 Most Common Driving Test Fails →
Booking Your Test at Ilkeston
Book your practical driving test at Ilkeston 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.
If Ilkeston has no availability on your target date, the DVSA booking tool lets you search other test centres nearby — useful if you are flexible on location.
Find a Driving Instructor Near Ilkeston
Choosing an instructor familiar with Ilkeston'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.
An ADI who regularly takes pupils to Ilkeston will have prepared routes that replicate what the examiner uses — covering the specific roundabouts, junctions, and road types that come up most often on test day.
Search for ADIs near Ilkeston using the official tool below, then ask this directly: "How many of your pupils take their test at Ilkeston, and which junctions and manoeuvres does the examiner tend to focus on?" Any instructor worth their fee will give you a specific answer, not a vague one.
Find an Approved Driving Instructor near Ilkeston →
Just Passed at Ilkeston?
Browse used hatchbacks under £5,000 — low insurance groups, cheap to run, and practical for new drivers in East Midlands.
Browse First Cars on AllCarsUK →Selling a car to fund your first car? List it free on AllCarsUK →