Gillingham

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Driving Test Centre Gillingham, Unit 1, Astra Park, Courteney Road, Gillingham

Gillingham, ME8 0EZ

Pass Rate
57.7%
Members
1

Test Statistics

Gillingham is among the stronger places in the country to sit a practical test: 57.7% of candidates pass, against the national average of 48.6%. It is one of the busier centres, running about 31 tests a day — 6,672 in the period DVSA reports. No single fault dominates — the most common, observation at junctions, accounts for 8.6%. It draws mostly first-timers — 56.2% are sitting their first test — and the average candidate passes in 1.9 attempts. Tests booked on a Saturday between 11:00 and 12:00 do best, passing 68.1%.

Gillingham driving test pass rate and statistics

Pass Rate
57.7%
National: 48.6%
Total Tests
6,672
~31.0 per day
First Attempt Rate
56.2%
Avg 1.9 attempts
Dangerous Faults
0.05
4.9% of tests have any
Serious Faults
0.70
40.8% of tests have any
Minor Faults
5.03
97.4% of tests have any

Common faults at Gillingham

Most Common Fail Reasons

Junctions - observation8.6%
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.
Mirrors - change direction7.7%
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.
Move off - safely4.0%
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.
Control - steering3.9%
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.
Junctions - turning right3.8%
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.
Positioning - normal driving3.4%
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.
Progress - speed (too slow)3.2%
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.
Move off - control3.1%
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.
Judgement - meeting3.0%
Common Scenarios:
  • Failing to slow down or adjust your position when approaching an oncoming vehicle on a narrow road.
  • Misjudging the speed of an oncoming vehicle and failing to allow sufficient space for it to pass safely.
  • Continuing towards other vehicles when they have priority.
Why More Common Here:
  • Narrow residential roads, particularly those lined with parked cars.
  • Residential roads with hills and bends, requiring faster reaction time.
Use of speed (too fast)2.9%
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.

Most Common Minor Faults

Progress - speed (too slow)0.44
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.
Control - steering0.39
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.
Progress - undue hesitation0.37
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.
Move off - safely0.37
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.
Move off - control0.30
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 - signalling0.27
Common Scenarios:
  • Checking mirrors after or at the same time as signalling.
Why More Common Here:
  • Test routes that involve frequent or rushed lane changes.
Position - normal stops0.19
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.
Signals - correctly0.19
Common Scenarios:
  • Signalling left or right, but not turning.
  • Signalling right at a roundabout when you want to go ahead.
  • Signalling left at a roundabout when you are not intending to take the first exit.
  • Failing to cancel a signal after turning.
  • Flashing other road users to give way, contrary to the Highway Code.
Why More Common Here:
  • Main roads with many junctions and driveways with little space between them.
  • Roundabouts with more than four exits and/or confusing signs.
  • Roundabouts whose signs contradict the actual road geometry, making the 12 o'clock rule difficult to follow.
Mirrors - change speed0.18
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 - observation0.17
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.

Manoeuvres tested at Gillingham

Emergency stopTested 32.9% of the time
Pass Rate
63.8%
Fail Rate
1.3%
Reverse rightTested 26.6% of the time
Pass Rate
59.0%
Fail Rate
6.0%
Reverse bay parkTested 24.6% of the time
Pass Rate
53.6%
Fail Rate
7.1%
Parallel parkTested 23.9% of the time
Pass Rate
57.5%
Fail Rate
13.0%
Forward bay parkTested 23.8% of the time
Pass Rate
63.2%
Fail Rate
5.2%

Best times to book at Gillingham

Sunday
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
100.0%
~0.1 tests/day
Sunday
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
94.4%
~0.6 tests/day
Sunday
15:00-16:00
Pass Rate
80.0%
~0.5 tests/day
Sunday
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
75.0%
~0.7 tests/day
Sunday
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
72.2%
~0.6 tests/day
Mon-Fri
16:00-17:00
Pass Rate
71.0%
~0.2 tests/day
Saturday
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
68.1%
~1.5 tests/day
Sunday
All times
Pass Rate
66.9%
~4.0 tests/day
Saturday
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
63.4%
~2.7 tests/day
Mon-Fri
15:00-16:00
Pass Rate
61.7%
~2.6 tests/day
Saturday
15:00-16:00
Pass Rate
60.0%
~0.3 tests/day
Sunday
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
60.0%
~0.2 tests/day
Mon-Fri
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
59.7%
~1.7 tests/day
Mon-Fri
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
59.1%
~5.1 tests/day
Mon-Fri
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
58.5%
~5.8 tests/day
Mon-Fri
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
58.3%
~5.5 tests/day
Saturday
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
57.9%
~0.6 tests/day
Mon-Fri
All times
Pass Rate
57.6%
~39.9 tests/day
Saturday
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
57.6%
~2.1 tests/day
Mon-Fri
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
57.0%
~5.7 tests/day
Mon-Fri
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
56.3%
~5.3 tests/day
Saturday
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
55.6%
~0.3 tests/day
Saturday
All times
Pass Rate
55.6%
~13.5 tests/day
Mon-Fri
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
55.3%
~5.7 tests/day
Saturday
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
54.8%
~2.7 tests/day
Mon-Fri
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
54.1%
~2.5 tests/day
Sunday
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
50.0%
~0.7 tests/day
Sunday
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
46.7%
~0.5 tests/day
Saturday
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
41.9%
~2.8 tests/day
Saturday
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
36.4%
~0.4 tests/day
Sunday
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
36.4%
~0.4 tests/day

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