If you’re learning to drive and considering booking the all-important driving test, you may be wondering if you can take your driving test in a different city from the one you’ve been learning to drive in.
In this article, we will talk about whether this is possible and discuss the pros and cons that come with taking your driving test in a different city.
Considering taking your driving test in a different city?
While it is possible to take your driving test in a different city, there are a few essential things you should consider before going ahead and booking your test. Taking your driving test in another city may be appealing for several reasons, shorter waiting times, quieter cities and higher pass rates at some test centres. While this all sounds great, by booking your driving test in a location different to the one you’ve been learning it, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage.
Firstly, the majority of your driving lessons will have taken place in Bedford, and you will be familiar with the roads, tests routes, tricky junctions and hotspots. Our driving instructors in Bedford will take you on a variety of different roads throughout Bedford and ensure you are confident with the known test routes. If you choose to take your driving test in a different city, you will be less prepared and more likely to make silly mistakes on the big day.
Of course, our driving instructors will make sure you’re completely ready for your test and able to drive safely and confidently no matter where you’re driving. However, it is useful to take your test in the area you intend to do most of your driving in once you’ve passed. Taking your driving test outside of the area you have been learning in could ultimately work against your favour.
Be aware that your driving instructor may not have the availability you were hoping for. Always consult your driving instructor before booking your driving test as they may not be available at short notice or on the date you have booked your test on.
If you’re unlucky enough to find yourself in a position where you have a test date but no instructor to take you, you may have trouble sourcing an alternative instructor in the area at short notice. We will do our best to work with you and find you another instructor, but this is not guaranteed.
What are the benefits of taking your driving test in a different city?
When it comes to taking your driving test in a different city, the benefits are limited. At drive247 we always suggest that our learners, where possible, take their driving test in the city they’ve been learning in.
However, there are many valid reasons you may be considering taking your driving test elsewhere. For example, your local test centre in Bedford may have a long wait time for a driving test. If you’re keen to get on the road and the thought of waiting weeks for a test makes you want to cry, you might start looking a bit further afield in the surrounding areas such as Stevenage. The problem with this is you will not have had any driving lessons in Stevenage, so the roads and junctions will all be alien to you.
You may be wondering, is it better to take my driving test at a centre with a higher pass rate?
In major cities such as London, Leeds and Birmingham, the average UK pass rate is 10% lower than in smaller cities and towns. The Cardington/Bedford test centre has a pass rate of 41.8%, however, just 30 mins away, you could take your driving lessons in Kettering with one of our partner companies Drive 247 and the pass rate there is 50.9%.
If you choose to take your driving test in a different town or city, you may benefit from quieter roads which could make your test a bit easier. For example, driving in rural areas compared to urban areas can be more comfortable as there will be fewer cars on the road.
Another perk of taking your driving test in a different city is that you will gain valuable experience of driving in a place you are not used to and it will prepare you for your future driving. Our driving instructors at drive247 will only put you forward for your test if they’re 100% sure you’re ready for it. Therefore it shouldn’t matter where you take your test.
What are the pros and cons of taking your driving test in a different city?
There are a number of pros and cons to taking your driving test in a different city. We want to make sure you have all of the relevant information so you can make a sensible, well-informed decision. At drive247 your success is our number 1 priority, and we want to make sure all of our students pass as smoothly as possible.
To help you make your decision, we have compiled together a list of all of the pros and cons of taking your driving test in a different city.
The pros of taking your driving test in a different city
- You might secure an earlier test date at an alternative test centre
- Some test centres have higher pass rates, e.g. Kettering compared to Cardington
- It can be easier to drive in quieter areas with fewer cars on the road
- May be beneficial to experience driving in an unfamiliar place to prepare you for future driving
The cons of taking your driving test in a different city
- You might not be familiar with the area; therefore you’ll be less prepared and could make silly mistakes
- Minimal to no driving lesson practice in the area
- Unfamiliar with the test routes, hotspots and roundabouts. For example, Milton Keynes has various roundabouts that require extensive preparation. We only recommend you take your test here if you have been having driving lessons in Milton Keynes, one company that we know have a major presence there is driveJohnson’s.
- Your instructor may be unavailable at short notice, and you may not be able to find another instructor to take you to your test.
If you had the chance to see the test paper before a big exam, would you do it?
We like to think of taking your driving test in the same city you’ve been learning in as like getting to see the questions before taking an exam. You will know roughly what to expect on the day and will not be surprised by any unknown roads which could lead to you making mistakes.
Whatever you decide to do when you book your driving test, at drive247 we will do our best to support you and get you on the road ASAP!