Sunderland driving test centre is located in Sunderland, North East, and records a pass rate of 48.6% — below the UK national average of 50.1%. Candidates can expect a mix of residential streets, roundabouts, and A-road or dual carriageway sections — junction observation and mirror checks before direction changes are the fault categories that decide most tests here, as they do across the rest of the country.
📍 Test Centre Address
Leechmere Road
Sunderland, SR2 9TQ
Official DVSA booking — opens in a new tab
Pass Rate at Sunderland
The pass rate at Sunderland is 48.6%, 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 North East test centres, Sunderland's 48.6% pass rate places it 22nd out of 25 — above Middlesbrough (47.9%) and South Shields (47.8%), and below Hartlepool (49.7%) and Jarrow (49.7%). The highest in North East is Hexham at 67.4%; the lowest is Gateshead at 46.3%.
Pass rate sourced from DVSA open data (April 2024–March 2025) where available; regional estimates used otherwise. DVSA statistics ↗
Pass Rate Comparison — All North East Test Centres
The table below shows every driving test centre in North East, sorted by pass rate. Sunderland 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%) |
|---|---|---|
| Hexham | 67.4% | +17.3% |
| Morpeth | 61.8% | +11.7% |
| Cramlington | 60.7% | +10.6% |
| Spennymoor | 60.1% | +10% |
| Bishop Auckland | 59.8% | +9.7% |
| Stanley | 59.4% | +9.3% |
| Consett | 58.9% | +8.8% |
| Blyth | 58.4% | +8.3% |
| Seaham | 57.6% | +7.5% |
| Peterlee | 55.9% | +5.8% |
| Chester-le-Street | 55.7% | +5.6% |
| Durham | 54.2% | +4.1% |
| Darlington | 53.6% | +3.5% |
| Houghton-le-Spring | 53.2% | +3.1% |
| Washington | 52.1% | +2% |
| Blaydon | 51.4% | +1.3% |
| Stockton-on-Tees | 51.3% | +1.2% |
| Newcastle Gosforth | 50.7% | +0.6% |
| North Shields | 50.3% | +0.2% |
| Hartlepool | 49.7% | -0.4% |
| Jarrow | 49.7% | -0.4% |
| Sunderland ★ | 48.6% | -1.5% |
| Middlesbrough | 47.9% | -2.2% |
| South Shields | 47.8% | -2.3% |
| Gateshead | 46.3% | -3.8% |
Test Centres Near Sunderland
Learners near Sunderland sometimes compare Sunderland 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.
- Seaham driving test centre (4 miles — 57.6% pass rate)
- Houghton-le-Spring driving test centre (5 miles — 53.2% pass rate)
- Washington driving test centre (6 miles — 52.1% pass rate)
- Jarrow driving test centre (8 miles — 49.7% pass rate)
What to Expect on Test Routes from Sunderland
Test routes from Sunderland use a combination of residential streets, mini-roundabouts, and A-road or dual carriageway sections. The suburban mix means candidates need to demonstrate competence across different speed environments — quieter residential roads and faster A-roads where lane discipline and safe following distance are assessed.
Junction observation — looking properly before emerging rather than glancing — is the single most common fail reason across all UK test centres, including Sunderland. Preparation that specifically practises junction timing and mirror habits will address the most likely failure mode.
Most Common Fail Reasons at Sunderland
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 East test centres like Sunderland.
- Junctions — observation: Not looking properly before emerging, particularly at mini-roundabouts where visibility is limited.
- Mirrors — change direction: Failing to check mirrors before turning or changing lane. Must be demonstrably checked, not just glanced at.
- Speed — appropriate speed: Driving too fast for the road conditions or too slowly without reason. Both are marked — inappropriate hesitancy is a fault as well as excess speed.
- Roundabouts — road positioning: Incorrect lane choice on approach, cutting the roundabout, or failing to give way to traffic already on the roundabout.
- Control — steering: Drifting or coarse corrections through bends and at junctions.
Full breakdown: The 10 Most Common Driving Test Fails →
Booking Your Test at Sunderland
Book your practical driving test at Sunderland 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 Sunderland 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 Sunderland
Choosing an instructor familiar with Sunderland'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 Sunderland 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 Sunderland using the official tool below, then ask this directly: "How many of your pupils take their test at Sunderland, 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 Sunderland →
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