Banbury

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Driving Test Centre Banbury, Room 8, Mewburn Road, Banbury

Mewburn Road, OX16 9PG

Pass Rate
40.6%
Members
1

Test Statistics

Banbury is a demanding test centre: 40.6% of candidates pass, well short of the national average of 48.6%. One fault dominates: change direction when using mirrors ends 15.9% of tests here, a notably high share. Tests booked on weekdays between 07:00 and 08:00 do best, passing 46.9%.

Banbury driving test pass rate and statistics

Pass Rate
40.6%
National: 48.6%
Total Tests
3,440
~16.0 per day
First Attempt Rate
46.7%
Avg 2.1 attempts
Dangerous Faults
0.07
6.3% of tests have any
Serious Faults
0.98
57.9% of tests have any
Minor Faults
5.32
97.0% of tests have any

Common faults at Banbury

Most Common Fail Reasons

Mirrors - change direction15.9%
Common Scenarios:
  • Failing to check mirrors when exiting a roundabout.
  • Failing to check mirrors when changing lanes.
Why More Common Here:
  • Complex multi-lane roundabouts and one-way systems.
Junctions - observation11.5%
Common Scenarios:
  • Emerging at a T-junction or roundabout and causing another vehicle to slow down.
  • Emerging from a junction without adequate observations (even if clear).
  • Sailing through a crossroads without stopping and looking.
  • Joining a dual carriageway via a sliproad without sufficient mirror and blind spot checks.
  • Turning right in front of oncoming traffic, causing them to slow down.
Why More Common Here:
  • Junctions onto busy roads with fast flowing traffic, small gaps and the requirement to build speed quickly to avoid slowing others behind.
  • Short, curvy or otherwise awkward sliproads onto dual carriageways.
  • Busy high streets and main roads with poor visibility and bikes overtaking.
Response to road markings6.1%
Common Scenarios:
  • Driving in an incorrect lane that was clearly marked.
  • Ignoring lane arrows at junctions (e.g. left turn only).
  • Ignoring a give way line and assuming priority.
  • Stopping within a cycle box, not respecting advanced stop lines.
Why More Common Here:
  • Road markings worn away due to infrequent maintenance and/or heavy traffic.
  • Complex or confusing lane restrictions.
  • Road markings can be easily missed in slow moving traffic, especially when other road users may not follow them.
  • Give way lines draw in unusual places.
Move off - safely6.0%
Common Scenarios:
  • When parked on the road, moving off and causing oncoming traffic to brake or swerve.
  • Not checking mirrors and blindspots when moving off from a parked position.
  • Not completing all 360° observations when continuing after an emergency stop.
Why More Common Here:
  • Test routes involve stopping on busier roads.
  • Test routes involve stopping on bendy residential roads with restricted visibility.
Positioning - normal driving5.7%
Common Scenarios:
  • Not driving in the centre of the lane.
  • Driving for too long in the right hand lane of a dual carriageway, for no reason.
  • 'Straight-lining' a roundabout.
  • Not driving in the bus lane when it is allowed at that time.
Why More Common Here:
  • Many timed bus lanes around test centre.
  • Multi-lane roundabouts with worn lane markings.
Junctions - turning right4.9%
Common Scenarios:
  • Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions.
  • Not positioning to the right of the road when turning right.
  • Turning right at a roundabout using the incorrect lane.
  • Not using the waiting area in the middle of the road when waiting to turn right, therefore blocking traffic behind.
Why More Common Here:
  • Confusing road layouts, worn road markings and circuitous test routes involving waiting area for right turns.
  • Roundabouts with many exits making lane choice less obvious.
  • Roundabouts whose signs contradict the actual road geometry, making the 12 o'clock rule difficult to follow.
Control - steering4.4%
Common Scenarios:
  • Steering too much, too little, too early or too late.
  • Mounting the curb when steering out of a junction.
  • Briefly driving on the wrong side of the road when turning through a junction.
Why More Common Here:
  • Tight junctions and narrow roads.
  • Sharp left or right turns on test routes.
Response to traffic signs4.0%
Common Scenarios:
  • Not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.
  • Attempting to drive through a no-entry sign.
  • Attempting to drive through any other sign that restricts access (e.g. buses only).
  • Ignoring a give way sign and assuming priority.
  • Ignoring a keep left sign.
Why More Common Here:
  • Stop signs are rare in the UK, but may show up in this test centre area.
  • Confusing one-way systems.
  • Complex road signs restricting access (e.g. bus-only at certain times).
Use of speed (too fast)3.8%
Common Scenarios:
  • Driving above the posted speed limit.
  • Failing to reduce speed when approaching a hazard, such as a pedestrian crossing or a bend in the road.
  • Driving too fast on a road with potholes or poor surface condition (regardless of the posted speed limit).
  • Driving too fast on a national speed limit road (60 mph is often too dangerous).
  • Driving at a speed that is unsafe for the weather - rain, fog, or ice.
Why More Common Here:
  • Recently changed speed limits that conflict with old limits displayed on satnav.
  • Sudden speed limit changes, especially on exit sliproads.
  • Inadequate signage, road markings and traffic calming measures.
  • Test routes that cross both 20 mph residential zones and regular 30 mph roads.
  • 20 mph main roads where locals ignore the limit and overtake learners, causing pressure to keep pace.
  • Clearly signed 30/40/50/NSL roads that pressure learners to make progress despite potholes, bends, etc.
Mirrors - change speed3.2%
Common Scenarios:
  • Failing to check mirrors when slowing down.
  • Failing to check mirrors when speeding up, creating danger for anyone overtaking.
  • Accidentally slowing due to improper gear selection.
Why More Common Here:
  • Roads with harsh speed limit changes.
  • Fast hilly roads where learners may forget to downshift as needed, causing accidental slow-downs.

Most Common Minor Faults

Move off - safely0.39
Common Scenarios:
  • When parked on the road, moving off and causing oncoming traffic to brake or swerve.
  • Not checking mirrors and blindspots when moving off from a parked position.
  • Not completing all 360° observations when continuing after an emergency stop.
Why More Common Here:
  • Test routes involve stopping on busier roads.
  • Test routes involve stopping on bendy residential roads with restricted visibility.
Progress - undue hesitation0.39
Common Scenarios:
  • Not emerging from a junction when it is safe to do so.
  • Waiting unnecessarily for another road user to pass who has clearly given way to you.
  • Failing to maintain momentum when joining a clear roundabout.
  • Ignoring shields and exit signals on mini-roundabouts and therefore missing many opportunities to proceed.
Why More Common Here:
  • Areas and times with fast, flowing traffic and non-obvious gaps.
  • Busy mini-roundabouts.
  • Test routes with stops along busy main roads.
Progress - speed (too slow)0.37
Common Scenarios:
  • Driving significantly below the speed limit on a clear road without a valid reason (especially if it impacts drivers behind or causes them to overtake).
  • Being hesitant to build speed on a sliproad so as to merge safely.
  • Slowing down excessively for minor hazards, such as slight bends.
  • Losing speed due to improper gear selection on a hill.
Why More Common Here:
  • Test routes that cross both 20 mph residential zones and regular 30 mph roads - learners may 'hedge' their bets by driving at 20 until they are sure the limit is 30.
  • Rural national speed limit roads.
  • Fast roads with hills and bends, requiring frequent gear changes to maintain progress.
  • Short sliproads necessitating confident acceleration.
Mirrors - change direction0.33
Common Scenarios:
  • Failing to check mirrors when exiting a roundabout.
  • Failing to check mirrors when changing lanes.
Why More Common Here:
  • Complex multi-lane roundabouts and one-way systems.
Control - steering0.27
Common Scenarios:
  • Steering too much, too little, too early or too late.
  • Mounting the curb when steering out of a junction.
  • Briefly driving on the wrong side of the road when turning through a junction.
Why More Common Here:
  • Tight junctions and narrow roads.
  • Sharp left or right turns on test routes.
Move off - control0.25
Common Scenarios:
  • Stalling from a parked position or in traffic.
  • Rolling back a considerable amount when moving off.
  • Attempting to move off when a gear is not selected.
Why More Common Here:
  • Hilly areas, especially around junctions.
  • Hilly roads with slow stop-start traffic, requiring consecutive hill starts.
Mirrors - change speed0.25
Common Scenarios:
  • Failing to check mirrors when slowing down.
  • Failing to check mirrors when speeding up, creating danger for anyone overtaking.
  • Accidentally slowing due to improper gear selection.
Why More Common Here:
  • Roads with harsh speed limit changes.
  • Fast hilly roads where learners may forget to downshift as needed, causing accidental slow-downs.
Junctions - observation0.24
Common Scenarios:
  • Emerging at a T-junction or roundabout and causing another vehicle to slow down.
  • Emerging from a junction without adequate observations (even if clear).
  • Sailing through a crossroads without stopping and looking.
  • Joining a dual carriageway via a sliproad without sufficient mirror and blind spot checks.
  • Turning right in front of oncoming traffic, causing them to slow down.
Why More Common Here:
  • Junctions onto busy roads with fast flowing traffic, small gaps and the requirement to build speed quickly to avoid slowing others behind.
  • Short, curvy or otherwise awkward sliproads onto dual carriageways.
  • Busy high streets and main roads with poor visibility and bikes overtaking.
Position - normal stops0.21
Common Scenarios:
  • Stopping in a location that obstructs a driveway, a junction, or a bus stop.
  • Parking with one or more wheels on the pavement.
  • Parking too far from the kerb.
Why More Common Here:
  • Inner city test areas with limited roadside parking.
  • Areas where residents habitually park on the pavement can trick learners into thinking it is acceptable.
Junctions - approach speed0.20
Common Scenarios:
  • Approaching a junction too quickly, making it difficult to make observations and stop safely if necessary.
  • Braking harshly when needing to stop at give way lines.
Why More Common Here:
  • Roundabouts and other junctions that 'appear out of nowhere' on fast roads, possibly due to inadequate signage.
  • Sharp bends or steep inclines on approach to roundabouts.
  • Sharp exits off fast roads (e.g. t-junctions off dual carriageways).

Manoeuvres tested at Banbury

Emergency stopTested 32.9% of the time
Pass Rate
56.7%
Fail Rate
1.7%
Reverse rightTested 28.8% of the time
Pass Rate
41.9%
Fail Rate
5.6%
Reverse bay parkTested 24.4% of the time
Pass Rate
40.2%
Fail Rate
6.8%
Parallel parkTested 24.2% of the time
Pass Rate
44.5%
Fail Rate
11.9%
Forward bay parkTested 22.1% of the time
Pass Rate
36.1%
Fail Rate
2.8%

Best times to book at Banbury

Saturday
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
62.5%
~0.3 tests/day
Saturday
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
61.5%
~0.4 tests/day
Saturday
15:00-16:00
Pass Rate
57.1%
~0.2 tests/day
Saturday
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
50.0%
~0.3 tests/day
Saturday
16:00-17:00
Pass Rate
50.0%
~0.3 tests/day
Mon-Fri
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
46.9%
~1.3 tests/day
Saturday
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
45.5%
~0.4 tests/day
Mon-Fri
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
44.8%
~2.9 tests/day
Saturday
All times
Pass Rate
42.4%
~3.0 tests/day
Mon-Fri
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
41.9%
~2.6 tests/day
Mon-Fri
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
41.5%
~2.9 tests/day
Mon-Fri
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
41.2%
~2.9 tests/day
Mon-Fri
15:00-16:00
Pass Rate
40.7%
~1.1 tests/day
Mon-Fri
All times
Pass Rate
40.5%
~21.8 tests/day
Mon-Fri
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
39.0%
~2.9 tests/day
Mon-Fri
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
36.7%
~2.9 tests/day
Mon-Fri
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
34.9%
~2.1 tests/day
Saturday
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
30.8%
~0.4 tests/day
Mon-Fri
16:00-17:00
Pass Rate
29.2%
~0.2 tests/day
Saturday
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
25.0%
~0.1 tests/day
Saturday
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
22.2%
~0.3 tests/day
Saturday
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
11.1%
~0.3 tests/day

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