If you’re thinking about booking your driving test, you may be wondering if you can take your driving test in a different city. If you’re having driving lessons in one city, you may be looking at other test centres for numerous reasons, such as; earlier test slots, supposedly easier test routes or even better pass rates.
Is it possible?
It is possible to take your driving test in a different city. However, we recommend that you only do so if you have had driving lessons in the town or city where you intend to take your driving test. You may be considering taking your driving test in a different city if your nearest test centre has long waiting times or maybe you’ve seen that another test centre has higher pass rates. While there are some advantages to taking your driving test in a different town, there are also many disadvantages.
At DRIVE Driving School, we would always recommend that our learners always take their driving tests in the same area they have been learning in. If you have been having your driving lessons in London, we would advise against choosing to take your driving test in Guildford, for example. Our local driving instructors will show you the test routes for your local test centre and make sure you are prepared to face any of the test routes. However, if you choose to take your driving test in another city, you will have limited time to familiarise yourself with the driving test routes.
If you are considering taking your driving test in a different town/city, it’s best to make your decision early on so that your driving instructor can adjust your driving lessons accordingly. Please be aware that your driving instructor may not cover the area your chosen test centre is in, and you could have to find an alternative driving instructor.
Driving instructors at DRIVE will never put you forward for your test unless they are sure you are 100% ready and capable to face any situation on the road. But, it is still useful you take your driving test in the same area where you intend to do the majority of your driving once you’ve passed your test.
It is also important to bear in mind that your driving instructor may have limited availability for driving tests, so be careful when booking tests at short notice. Always check with your driving instructor well in advance before booking your driving test to avoid disappointment.
What are the pros and cons?
There are many pros and cons of taking your driving test in a different city. We want to ensure you have all of the information you need to make a well-informed, confident decision that is going to help you pass your driving test.
We have put together a list of all the pros and cons of taking your driving test in a different city to try and make the decision a bit easier for you:
Pros
– Possibility of shorter waiting times at another test centre can be tempting if you want to pass by a particular deadline
– Some driving test centres have higher pass rates than others
– Some test centres may be known for having easier test routes
– If the test centre is situated in a quiet town or city, you may benefit from there being fewer cars around during your test
– Gain driving experience of driving in an unfamiliar place
Cons
– If you have not had many driving lessons in the same place as our test centre, you will not be familiar with the roads and will be less prepared
– Minimal time to practice your driving in the area of your test centre
– You may not know the test routes, hotspots or tricky junctions which could cause you to be caught out during your driving test
– Driving instructor may not be available if you secure a test at short notice and you may find it difficult to secure another instructor willing to take you for your test
Make the decision that is best for you
Ultimately, it’s completely up to you to make the decision that is going to give you the best possible chance of passing. We are only here to give you our best advice and help you get on the roads as a safe driver. If after weighing up the pros and cons you have decided that your best bet is taking your driving test in another city, then our driving instructors will do their best to support you.
