Oldham driving test centre is located in Oldham and serves candidates across the North West area. The centre records a pass rate of 43.7% — below 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
Wallshaw Street
Oldham, OL1 3TR
Official DVSA booking — opens in a new tab
Pass Rate at Oldham
The pass rate at Oldham is 43.7%, 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 North West test centres, Oldham's 43.7% pass rate places it 33rd out of 35 — above Liverpool Norris Green (43.2%) and Manchester Cheetham Hill (39.3%), and below Birkenhead (44.6%) and Manchester Didsbury (44.6%). The highest in North West is Kendal at 64.1%; the lowest is Manchester Cheetham Hill at 39.3%.
Pass rate sourced from DVSA open data (April 2024–March 2025) where available; regional estimates used otherwise. DVSA statistics ↗
Pass Rate Comparison — All North West Test Centres
The table below shows every driving test centre in North West, sorted by pass rate. Oldham 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%) |
|---|---|---|
| Kendal | 64.1% | +14% |
| Carlisle | 60.3% | +10.2% |
| Lancaster | 59.4% | +9.3% |
| Morecambe | 59.1% | +9% |
| Southport | 57.8% | +7.7% |
| Barrow-in-Furness | 57.4% | +7.3% |
| Macclesfield | 56.3% | +6.2% |
| Crewe | 54.8% | +4.7% |
| Preston | 53.8% | +3.7% |
| Sale | 53.6% | +3.5% |
| Runcorn | 53.1% | +3% |
| Skelmersdale | 52.8% | +2.7% |
| Warrington | 52.7% | +2.6% |
| Chester | 52.4% | +2.3% |
| Bolton | 51.7% | +1.6% |
| Accrington | 50.7% | +0.6% |
| St Helens | 50.6% | +0.5% |
| Leigh | 50.4% | +0.3% |
| Hyde | 50.2% | +0.1% |
| Blackburn | 49.1% | -1% |
| Stockport | 48.9% | -1.2% |
| Heywood | 48.7% | -1.4% |
| Liverpool Speke | 48.5% | -1.6% |
| Burnley | 48.3% | -1.8% |
| Salford Eccles | 47.8% | -2.3% |
| Wigan | 47.4% | -2.7% |
| Bury | 47.3% | -2.8% |
| Blackpool | 46.3% | -3.8% |
| Ashton-under-Lyne | 45.9% | -4.2% |
| Rochdale | 45.2% | -4.9% |
| Birkenhead | 44.6% | -5.5% |
| Manchester Didsbury | 44.6% | -5.5% |
| Oldham ★ | 43.7% | -6.4% |
| Liverpool Norris Green | 43.2% | -6.9% |
| Manchester Cheetham Hill | 39.3% | -10.8% |
Test Centres Near Oldham
Learners near Oldham sometimes compare Oldham 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.
- Ashton-under-Lyne driving test centre (4 miles — 45.9% pass rate)
- Manchester Cheetham Hill driving test centre (5 miles — 39.3% pass rate)
- Rochdale driving test centre (5 miles — 45.2% pass rate)
- Heywood driving test centre (6 miles — 48.7% pass rate)
What to Expect on Test Routes from Oldham
Routes from Oldham cover a mix of town centre streets and busier A-road sections around Oldham. 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 Oldham
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 North West test centres like Oldham.
- 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 Oldham
Book your practical driving test at Oldham 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.
Slots at Oldham fill quickly during summer and post-lockdown periods. If your preferred date is unavailable, set a DVSA cancellation alert — slots often appear at short notice when candidates cancel.
Find a Driving Instructor Near Oldham
With a pass rate of 43.7% — below the national average of 50.1% — choosing the right instructor is especially important at Oldham. 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 ADI who regularly takes pupils to Oldham 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 Oldham using the official tool below, then ask this directly: "How many of your pupils take their test at Oldham, 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 Oldham →
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