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Birmingham (Shirley) Test Centre

Located on the corner of Stratford Road, Shirley test centre can be found next-door to The German Cafe, Bei Capelli Hair Design and Early Years. A go-to option for learners in the Solihull area, Shirley test centre oversees countless driving tests each year. If you’re looking to take your test here, we’d recommend you get to know it better. Read on for more information!

Address

401 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
West Midlands
B90 4AA

Tests Offered at Birmingham (Shirley)

– Car
– ADI part 3

How To Get There

Located in the Shirley area, around 30 minutes from the centre of Birmingham, Shirley test centre rests near the busy Stratford Road A34—making it an ideal option for learners throughout Shirley and Solihull. Of course, if you’re still uncertain, we’d advise you to use a sat nav to find your way.

A Bit More About Birmingham (Shirley)

Shirley test centre is located in the midst of various road conditions and types—from busy dual carriageways like the A34 to crossroads to tricky junctions. This variety is exactly what’s needed in a driving test to ensure that learners are ready to take to the roads by themselves.

What To Expect On The Day

After hours of driving lessons, your test date is finally upon you. Talk about nerve-wracking. If your confidence isn’t quite where you hoped it would be, we’d advise you to read up on our top six ways to relax before your driving test.

Before you jet out of the front door on your big day, there’s one important question you need to ask yourself: do you have your provisional licence? If the answer’s no, you can wave goodbye to taking your test. You need to have your provisional licence with you to take the driving test, otherwise you will be turned around, so double-check you’ve got it before you leave. Additionally, you’ll want to get to the test centre 10 minutes before your test is due to start.

Your driving test will consist of:

– An eyesight test, where you’ll need to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres
– Two “show me, tell me” questions covering vehicle safety and maintenance
– Twenty minutes of general driving, where you’ll be guided by the examiner, and will also need to perform one of the following manoeuvres:
Parallel parking
Bay parking
Pulling up on the right
– Twenty minutes of independent driving, during which you’ll either follow sat nav directions or sign posts to reach a set destination

Once you get back to the test centre and park your car, the test will officially end. The examiner will then walk you through the feedback sheet and list any driving test faults, whether they are minors or majors, that you may have accumulated. If you fail, keep hold of this sheet as it can be used to help you figure out which areas you need to improve on for your next test attempt. If you pass, you’ll also be handed a test pass certificate.

But What If I Fail?

Like any other test you take in life, if all doesn’t go according to plan with your driving test and you end up failing, it’s as simple as trying again. Of course, we don’t recommend just heading back in without any preparation. Instead, take some time to improve on the areas in which you picked up the most faults in. The best way to do this is by taking a refresher course with an instructor. They’ll be able to give you pointers to ensure you don’t trip up on them again.