Located next to Durham City Golf Club, on St John’s Road just off Browney Lane, Durham test centre isn’t far out from the city centre itself. Though it might not seem all that impressive at first glance, Durham test centre oversees hundreds of driving tests every year. If you’re one of the many learners heading here, give yourself an edge in your practical by familiarising yourself with Durham properly.
Address
1st Floor Enna House
Whitfield Court Industrial Estate, St Johns Rd
Meadowfield
County Durham
DH7 8XL
Tests Offered at Durham
– Car
– ADI part 2
– ADI part 3
How To Get There
Heading towards the test centre from Durham? All you’ve got to do is follow the A690 and local road signs to get to Browney Lane. If you live slightly further afield, simply get onto the A167 and you’ll be able to find Durham test centre with little to no fuss. Of course, if you are still uncertain, use your sat nav to find your way!
A Bit More About Durham
If you’re taking your test at Durham, you’ll want to make sure your observations are up to snuff—the industrial estate is compact and can get quite busy if there’s a slight increase in road traffic. Durham University is in close proximity to the test centre as well, so keep an eye out for pedestrians and cyclists. The driving examiner will attempt to take you around an even mix of busy A roads like the A690 and A167, in addition to quieter residential estates—try to keep an eye on your speed, as you don’t want to get caught going over the limit! If you’ve previously encountered a tricky road feature in the local area, e.g., a particularly challenging junction, it’s safe to assume it could crop up on your test.
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.
