Portsmouth

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Driving Test Centre Portsmouth, Opposite Fort Southwick, James Callaghan Drive, Fareham, Hampshire

Fareham, PO17 6AR

Pass Rate
52.2%
Members
2

Test Statistics

Portsmouth passes 52.2% of candidates, a little above the national average of 48.6%. It is one of the busier centres, running about 30 tests a day — 6,345 in the period DVSA reports. The most common reason for failing is change direction when using mirrors, which costs 11% of candidates their test. Tests booked on a Saturday between 08:00 and 09:00 do best, passing 60%.

Portsmouth driving test pass rate and statistics

Pass Rate
52.2%
National: 48.6%
Total Tests
6,345
~29.5 per day
First Attempt Rate
51.9%
Avg 1.9 attempts
Dangerous Faults
0.03
3.0% of tests have any
Serious Faults
0.79
47.0% of tests have any
Minor Faults
5.35
97.3% of tests have any

Common faults at Portsmouth

Most Common Fail Reasons

Mirrors - change direction11.0%
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.
Response to traffic signs8.5%
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).
Junctions - observation7.0%
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.
Move off - safely5.6%
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 driving4.9%
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 right4.8%
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.
Use of speed (too fast)3.3%
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.
Positioning - lane discipline3.2%
Common Scenarios:
  • Straddling lanes, preventing other road users from overtaking.
  • Drifting over lane markings due to lack of control or concentration.
Why More Common Here:
  • Roads with complex lane configurations.
  • Dual carriageways with bends, requiring extra skill to maintain a central position.
Move off - control3.0%
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.
Progress - speed (too slow)2.9%
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.

Most Common Minor Faults

Move off - safely0.50
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 - speed (too slow)0.38
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 - control0.34
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.
Control - steering0.31
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.
Mirrors - change speed0.28
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.
Mirrors - change direction0.27
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.
Positioning - normal driving0.24
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 - undue hesitation0.23
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.
Junctions - observation0.20
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.
Use of speed (too fast)0.20
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.

Manoeuvres tested at Portsmouth

Emergency stopTested 32.6% of the time
Pass Rate
55.9%
Fail Rate
1.2%
Reverse rightTested 25.5% of the time
Pass Rate
54.0%
Fail Rate
6.7%
Reverse bay parkTested 25.3% of the time
Pass Rate
50.6%
Fail Rate
6.1%
Forward bay parkTested 24.4% of the time
Pass Rate
55.4%
Fail Rate
3.6%
Parallel parkTested 24.4% of the time
Pass Rate
49.7%
Fail Rate
11.9%

Best times to book at Portsmouth

Sunday
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
100.0%
~0.1 tests/day
Sunday
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
100.0%
~0.1 tests/day
Sunday
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
100.0%
~0.1 tests/day
Sunday
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
100.0%
~0.1 tests/day
Sunday
All times
Pass Rate
90.0%
~0.3 tests/day
Saturday
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
60.0%
~1.5 tests/day
Saturday
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
56.8%
~1.4 tests/day
Mon-Fri
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
55.9%
~5.4 tests/day
Mon-Fri
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
54.1%
~5.5 tests/day
Mon-Fri
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
53.8%
~5.5 tests/day
Mon-Fri
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
53.3%
~5.5 tests/day
Mon-Fri
All times
Pass Rate
52.4%
~39.1 tests/day
Mon-Fri
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
50.9%
~5.3 tests/day
Mon-Fri
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
50.6%
~5.5 tests/day
Mon-Fri
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
50.3%
~3.7 tests/day
Sunday
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
50.0%
~0.1 tests/day
Saturday
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
48.9%
~1.5 tests/day
Mon-Fri
15:00-16:00
Pass Rate
48.6%
~1.8 tests/day
Saturday
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
47.7%
~1.4 tests/day
Saturday
All times
Pass Rate
46.4%
~10.8 tests/day
Mon-Fri
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
45.9%
~1.0 tests/day
Saturday
15:00-16:00
Pass Rate
45.5%
~0.7 tests/day
Saturday
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
40.0%
~1.5 tests/day
Saturday
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
37.2%
~1.4 tests/day
Saturday
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
34.1%
~1.4 tests/day

Community Posts

Loading posts...

Centres you can move a Portsmouth test to

DVSA only lets you swap to one of your three nearest test centres. These are the ones that qualify for Portsmouth.

Get browser tips, swap updates & news