Where is Gateshead Test Centre?

Gateshead Test Centre is at Waterside Drive, Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9HU. The map on this page shows its published location.

What is the pass rate at Gateshead Test Centre?

Practical: 37.5% for 2025-26. Pass rates are historical DVSA statistics and do not predict an individual learner's result.

Does Gateshead Test Centre's pass rate mean it is easier or harder?

No. A pass rate shows what happened to a group of learners in the past. Preparation, experience, traffic and local conditions can all affect the result. It does not prove that a centre, route or examiner is easier.

Which tests are available at Gateshead Test Centre?

This location is listed for practical driving tests. Use the official booking link on this page to check current appointment availability.

What is the driving test waiting time at Gateshead?

DVSA's published median booking-to-test wait was 7.1 weeks for July 2026. This is historical data, not a live appointment estimate.

What is the first-attempt pass rate at Gateshead?

The published first-attempt pass rate was 37.1% from 3,883 first attempts in 2025-26. It describes a group of past tests and does not predict an individual's result.

What is the automatic-car pass rate at Gateshead?

The published automatic-car pass rate was 32.7% from 2,571 tests in 2025-26. It does not show that automatic or manual tests are easier.

Are the roads listed near Gateshead official driving test routes?

No. They are nearby roads and map features from OpenStreetMap. They are not official DVSA test routes, and we do not know which roads an examiner will use.

Practical driving test centre in Gateshead

Gateshead Driving Test Centre

Find the address, postcode and map. You can also compare official DVSA pass rates, numbers of tests and the full published history, including past practical-test waiting times.

Waterside Drive, Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9HU

Show published results for

Your choice updates every result on this page that DVSA publishes for men and women. It does not estimate your personal chance of passing. Waiting-time and cancellation figures are not split this way.

At a glance

Gateshead driving test pass rate and waiting time

Latest published practical driving test pass rate: 37.5% from 9,512 tests in 2025-26. Published median waiting time: 7.1 weeks in Jul 2026 (historical data, not live availability).

Overall pass rate: 37.5%; 2025-26 · 9,512 tests
Published median wait: 7.1 weeks; Jul 2026 · historical, not live
First-attempt pass rate: 37.1%; 2025-26 · 3,883 first attempts
Automatic pass rate: 32.7%; 2025-26 · 2,571 automatic tests

These are group-level historical results. They do not predict an individual learner's result or prove that a centre is easier.

Gateshead Test Centre map and location

Address and test-centre details

Gateshead Test Centre
Waterside Drive, Dunston
Gateshead
NE11 9HU

Location checked: 24 August 2026
Statistics period: Practical: 2025-26
Data imported: 13 August 2026

Browse all practical driving test centres in North East.

Gateshead driving test information

Latest full year: 2025-26. DVSA centre name: Gateshead.

Appointments

Booking and waiting times

Start here if you are deciding when to book. These figures are historical DVSA measures, not live appointment availability.

Published waiting-time and appointment-availability trend

The recorded median wait moved from 8 weeks in Aug 2024 to 7.1 weeks in Jul 2026. In Jul 2026, 6.4% of standard appointments in the booking window were still available.

Standard appointments still available

Percentage of standard test slots in the published booking window that had not been booked.

View exact monthly values

Published booking-to-test waiting times and appointment availability for Gateshead
Month	Median wait	Weeks to 10% availability	Standard slots released	Booked	Still available	Available (%)	Overtime slots
Jul 2026	7.1 weeks	20.8 weeks	2,651	2,481	170	6.4%	185
Jun 2026	6.6 weeks	19.8 weeks	3,017	2,555	462	15.3%	175
May 2026	7.6 weeks	22.3 weeks	3,107	2,807	300	9.7%	176
Apr 2026	7.6 weeks	23.5 weeks	3,204	2,944	260	8.1%	94
Mar 2026	6.7 weeks	21.6 weeks	3,096	2,893	203	6.6%	116
Feb 2026	5 weeks	23.5 weeks	2,839	2,746	93	3.3%	185
Jan 2026	7.3 weeks	23.5 weeks	3,197	2,990	207	6.5%	134
Dec 2025	8.3 weeks	24 weeks	2,924	2,776	148	5.1%	94
Nov 2025	8.1 weeks	24 weeks	3,143	3,022	121	3.8%	130
Oct 2025	9.9 weeks	24 weeks	2,742	2,708	34	1.2%	129
Sept 2025	10.3 weeks	24 weeks	3,136	2,965	171	5.5%	140
Aug 2025	9.1 weeks	24 weeks	3,057	2,897	160	5.2%	94
Jul 2025	11.7 weeks	24 weeks	2,707	2,559	148	5.5%	65
Jun 2025	9.9 weeks	24 weeks	2,786	2,637	149	5.3%	106
May 2025	9.6 weeks	24 weeks	2,671	2,556	115	4.3%	106
Apr 2025	12 weeks	24 weeks	2,781	2,669	112	4%	35
Mar 2025	11.3 weeks	24 weeks	2,046	2,000	46	2.2%	58
Feb 2025	10.7 weeks	23.5 weeks	2,296	2,258	38	1.7%	55
Jan 2025	8.1 weeks	19.8 weeks	2,818	2,440	378	13.4%	57
Dec 2024	7.4 weeks	18.8 weeks	2,923	2,323	600	20.5%	35
Nov 2024	7 weeks	16.3 weeks	2,966	2,284	682	23%	84
Oct 2024	8.9 weeks	16.3 weeks	2,774	2,008	766	27.6%	1
Sept 2024	8.9 weeks	14.6 weeks	2,879	1,979	900	31.3%	0
Aug 2024	8 weeks	12.8 weeks	2,756	1,788	968	35.1%	0

Hover over or focus any point or bar for its exact value. Official DVSA DRT122F historical data. Both lines use weeks on the same scale. These figures are not live appointment availability and do not guarantee when a new booking can be made.

Results

How learners performed

These figures describe groups of tests in published DVSA tables. They do not estimate your personal chance of passing or prove that a centre is easier.

Overall pass rate

37.5%

Tests conducted

9,512

Results shown

All candidates

First attempts

37.1%

1,441 of 3,883 first attempts passed. 82 passes had no recorded driving faults.

Financial year 2025-26 · DVSA DRT122C

Automatic cars

32.7%

841 of 2,571 practical tests taken in automatic cars passed.

Financial year 2025-26 · DVSA DRT122E

How this pass rate compares

Overall practical driving pass rate

Official DVSA result for 2025-26

37.5%

Great Britain rank

308th of 312

Centres with a published 2025-26 rate.

North East rank

11th of 11

The regional comparison rate is 48.4%.

Compared with Great Britain

12.5 points below

The Great Britain comparison rate is 50%.

Nearby centre with a higher published rate

Gosforth

6.2 miles away · 48.4% from 10,531 tests

View centre →

A higher past rate does not mean this centre is easier or has appointments available now.

Published history

Historical charts and detailed tables

These charts show the historical results and breakdowns DVSA has published for this centre. Open any table to see the exact published values.

Loading full history...

Official test-day guidance

Prepare for test day at Gateshead

This checklist summarises current GOV.UK guidance for practical car tests. Your booking confirmation remains the source for your appointment time and any centre-specific instructions.

What to take

Your UK driving licence.
Your theory pass certificate if you have it.
A suitable car, usually your instructor's car.

Check the complete GOV.UK list

What happens

An eyesight check and two vehicle-safety questions.
General and independent driving in varied conditions, but not on motorways.
One reversing exercise and possibly an emergency stop.
A standard test includes around 35 minutes of driving.

Read how the test works

Using your own car

The car must meet DVSA safety, visibility, tax, MOT, insurance and equipment rules. A test can be cancelled without a refund if the car is unsuitable.

Check every vehicle requirement

Official links checked 14 August 2026. GOV.UK should be followed if this summary and current official guidance ever differ.

Roads near the test centre

What the roads are like around Gateshead

This section shows main roads, roundabouts and traffic lights mapped within 2.2 miles of the test centre. You can use it to get familiar with the area before your test.

These are not DVSA test routes. We do not know which roads an examiner will use.

Skills to practise for these road environments

These suggestions are derived from mapped nearby features, not from examiner-route information.

Faster-road planning

Build confidence reading signs early, selecting a lane, joining safely and leaving a longer following distance as speeds rise.

Why this is included: Mapped nearby examples include A1, A184.

Roundabout observations

Practise reducing speed in time, reading lane markings, checking mirrors and making a fresh safety decision at each approach.

Why this is included: OpenStreetMap labels nearby roundabouts including Delta Bank Road, Gibside Way, A1114, and maps 37 mini-roundabout points.

Signal-controlled junctions

Practise scanning for lane arrows and stop lines, planning for changing lights, and checking that a junction is clear before proceeding.

Why this is included: OpenStreetMap contains 396 traffic-signal map points within the mapped radius.

Lower-speed road awareness

Practise meeting traffic safely, allowing for parked vehicles, and looking early for pedestrians, cyclists and side-road hazards.

Why this is included: Mapped lower-speed or local-road examples include Lobley Hill Road (A692), Lobley Hill Interchange (A692), West Central Route (A184).

Changing speed environments

Practise spotting speed-limit changes promptly and choosing an appropriate speed for the road and conditions rather than driving at the limit automatically.

Why this is included: The selected nearby roads carry mapped limits ranging from 20 mph to 50 mph.

Main roads nearby

Central Motorway East (A167(M))Motorway · about 2.1 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 40 mph
A1Major road · about 540 metres from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 50 mph
A184Major road · about 1.1 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 50 mph
Lobley Hill Road (A692)Major road · about 1.4 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 30 mph
Lobley Hill Interchange (A692)Major road · about 1.5 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 30 mph
Redheugh Bridge RoundaboutMajor road · about 1.6 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 40 mph
Askew Road (A184)Major road · about 1.6 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 40 mph
West Central Route (A184)Major road · about 2 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 30 mph
Regent Street (A184)Major road · about 2 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 20 mph
A167Major road · about 2.1 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 40 mph
Tyne Bridge (A167)Major road · about 2.1 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 40 mph
Charles Street (A184)Major road · about 2.1 miles from the test centreMapped maximum speed: 20 mph

Map data downloaded and automatically checked on 22 August 2026. OpenStreetMap can be incomplete or out of date. Distances are straight-line estimates, not driving distances. © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence. The numbers count OpenStreetMap map entries, not physical junctions.

Compare alternatives

Test centres near Gateshead

Distances are straight-line centre-to-centre estimates, not driving distances. Rates and waits cover the displayed published period and do not show that one centre is easier.

Overall latest pass rate (2025-26)

Published median wait (Jul 2026)

The charts only include centres with figures from the same period as Gateshead. Hover over or focus a point for its exact value. Exact figures, test volumes and distances are shown below.

Gosforth Test Centre

Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 5HB

About 6.2 miles straight-line · practical tests

Overall result: 48.4%; 2025-26 · 10,531 tests
Median wait: 16.3 weeks; Jul 2026 · historical
First attempt: 48.7%
Automatic: 44.3%

View Gosforth

Sunderland Test Centre

Sunderland, SR5 3JJ

About 9.4 miles straight-line · practical tests

Overall result: 51.1%; 2025-26 · 10,436 tests
Median wait: 8.9 weeks; Jul 2026 · historical
First attempt: 51.3%
Automatic: 42.7%

View Sunderland

Blyth Test Centre

Blyth, NE24 3BA

About 13.1 miles straight-line · practical tests

Overall result: 50.9%; 2025-26 · 6,973 tests
Median wait: 13.5 weeks; Jul 2026 · historical
First attempt: 53.9%
Automatic: 39.4%

View Blyth

Durham Test Centre

Meadowfield, DH7 8XL

About 14.7 miles straight-line · practical tests

Overall result: 53.2%; 2025-26 · 9,451 tests
Median wait: 15.7 weeks; Jul 2026 · historical
First attempt: 54.8%
Automatic: 47.8%

View Durham

Hexham Test Centre

Hexham, NE46 3EW

About 18 miles straight-line · practical tests

Overall result: 53%; 2025-26 · 1,388 tests
Median wait: 16.9 weeks; Jul 2026 · historical
First attempt: 55%
Automatic: 37.2%

View Hexham

Hartlepool Test Centre

Hartlepool, TS25 1TZ

About 26.5 miles straight-line · practical tests

Overall result: 51%; 2025-26 · 5,847 tests
Median wait: 13.4 weeks; Jul 2026 · historical
First attempt: 51.9%
Automatic: 45.3%

View Hartlepool

Questions about Gateshead Test Centre

Where is Gateshead Test Centre?: Gateshead Test Centre is at Waterside Drive, Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9HU. The map on this page shows its published location.
What is the pass rate at Gateshead Test Centre?: Practical: 37.5% for 2025-26. Pass rates are historical DVSA statistics and do not predict an individual learner's result.
Does Gateshead Test Centre's pass rate mean it is easier or harder?: No. A pass rate shows what happened to a group of learners in the past. Preparation, experience, traffic and local conditions can all affect the result. It does not prove that a centre, route or examiner is easier.
Which tests are available at Gateshead Test Centre?: This location is listed for practical driving tests. Use the official booking link on this page to check current appointment availability.
What is the driving test waiting time at Gateshead?: DVSA's published median booking-to-test wait was 7.1 weeks for July 2026. This is historical data, not a live appointment estimate.
What is the first-attempt pass rate at Gateshead?: The published first-attempt pass rate was 37.1% from 3,883 first attempts in 2025-26. It describes a group of past tests and does not predict an individual's result.
What is the automatic-car pass rate at Gateshead?: The published automatic-car pass rate was 32.7% from 2,571 tests in 2025-26. It does not show that automatic or manual tests are easier.
Are the roads listed near Gateshead official driving test routes?: No. They are nearby roads and map features from OpenStreetMap. They are not official DVSA test routes, and we do not know which roads an examiner will use.