Learning to drive in Liverpool

Learning to drive can be stressful - especially if you’re learning in a busy, built-up area like Liverpool. The good news is that practice and patience is the key to passing your test wherever you live - so get a couple of hours of temporary learner driver insurance, hop in a car and get practising!

Having said that, though, it can’t be denied that some driving test centres have higher pass rates than others. (We’ve written a full guide on the easiest and hardest test centres to pass at.) Broadly speaking, quiet rural areas have higher pass rates than busy urban centres. This makes sense to us - in less-populated areas there are less hazards or unexpected situations for learner drivers to deal with.

But even within specific cities there can be a surprising disparity between test centre pass rates. We’ve broken down the DVSA data for driving test centres in and near Liverpool - including the hardest driving test centre to pass at in the whole of Britain! 👇

Easiest and hardest test centres in and near Liverpool

Like anywhere in the UK, taking your driving test in (or near) Liverpool requires careful preparation. Liverpool is known for its vibrant culture and exciting city centre, and its roads mirror this dynamism, requiring drivers to be adaptable and alert.

It's also home to the toughest test centre in Britain, with only 27.1% of tests taken at Speke resulting in a pass. Yikes!

We’ve ordered the test centres from highest to lowest in terms of pass rate, also including the centre’s address, its distance from Liverpool city centre (we used the famous Cavern Club as our central point! 🎸), and also included some accessibility information.

Remember: the most important thing to consider when taking your test isn’t the centre’s pass rate, but whether you’re good and ready. To help, we’ve included some tips on taking your driving test later in this article.

FYI, to create this ranking, we used DVSA driving test data collated between April and December 2022 (the most recent data available at the time of print in July 2023). Speke, the toughest test centre in the country, saw 6209 tests taken during this period, with just 1684 passes.

Southport

• Eastbank House, Eastbank Street, Southport, PR8 1HE
• Pass rate: 55.6%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 20 miles
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access

Warrington

• Warrington Borough Council Orford Day Centre, Festival Avenue, Warrington, WA2 9EP
• Pass rate: 55.3%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 19 miles
• Accessibility: N/A

Upton

• Arrowe Park Rd, Upton, CH49 0UF
• Pass rate: 48.3%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 10 miles
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access

Chester

• Unit 16, Telford Court, Dunkirk Trading Estate, Chester Gates Dunkirk, Chester, CH1 6LT
• Pass rate: 44.6%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 18 miles
• Accessibility: N/A

Widnes

• Everite Road, Widnes, WA8 8PT
• Pass rate: 41.4%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 11 miles
• Accessibility: N/A

St Helens

• 1 Navigation Road, off Pocket Nook Street, St Helens, Liverpool, WA9 1NS
• Pass rate: 39.2%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 15 miles
• Accessibility: N/A

Norris Green

• Falklands Approach, Parthenon Drive, Norris Green, L11 5BR
• Pass rate: 38.8%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 5 miles
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access

Wallasey

• 17c King Street, Wallasey, CH44 8AT
• Pass rate: 38.7%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 7 miles
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access

Speke

• Unit 3 Dakota Business Park, Skyhawk Avenue, Speke, Liverpool, L19 2QR
• Pass rate: 27.1%
• Distance from Liverpool city centre: 6 miles
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access

Driving test tips

Getting those hours of practice in is more important than just finding a test centre with a friendly-looking pass rate.

The DVSA recommends undertaking 20 hours of supervised practice (outside of lessons) before taking your test.

To help you nail the big day, we’ve included some extra tips below.

Practise regularly

Supplement your lessons with additional practice, guided by an experienced driver. This extra time behind the wheel will help you become more comfortable with driving in general, as well as the dynamics of different roads and traffic conditions.

Family members and friends are invaluable resources when practising for your driving test. However, they must be at least 25 years old and have had their driving licence for a minimum of three years. They should also be qualified to drive the same type of car as you are learning in, e.g. manual or automatic.

Study the Highway Code

The Highway Code is a fundamental resource when preparing for the driving test. This guide contains traffic laws, rules, advice, and information applicable to all road users. Study it thoroughly to ensure you know all the rules and signals. Remember, the theory test will include questions based on the Highway Code, so having a comprehensive understanding of it will significantly help.

Master the manoeuvres

Your driving test will require completing certain manoeuvres, such as parallel parking and reversing around a corner. Practise these often and in varying locations and conditions to become proficient. Don't rush - patience and accuracy are more important than speed when performing these tasks.

Understand the test structure

Before you can ace your driving test, you need to know what it entails. The test is divided into two main parts - the theory test includes multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception test, while the practical test assesses your driving skills and ability to manoeuvre in real-world scenarios.

Take mock tests

Mock tests can help you assess your readiness and give you a feel for what the actual test will be like. They can also help reduce anxiety and boost your confidence when it comes to the real deal.

Mind your health and stress levels

Ensure you're well-rested and calm on the day of your test. Practice stress-relief techniques if you're feeling nervous, and remember to take deep breaths to relax. Physical wellbeing is important too. Get a good night's sleep before your test and eat a balanced meal to maintain your energy levels. (By the way, we’ve got a separate selection of tips for nervous drivers.)

Adopt a positive attitude

Maintaining a positive attitude can make a huge difference in your performance. Believe in your capabilities and the effort you've put into preparing. Remember, even if you don't pass the first time, it's not the end of the world. Each attempt is a learning experience, bringing you one step closer to becoming a licensed driver.

Learner driver car insurance

Before heading out to practice, you need learner driver car insurance.

Cuvva’s short-term policies mean you only need to get cover for when you’re actually driving - so you don’t need to waste money on an annual policy.

It only takes a few minutes to get a quote - and there are no nasty hidden fees or tie-ins.