Worthing

DVSA Art Room, Field Place, The Boulevard, Worthing, West Sussex

West Sussex, BN13 1NP

Pass Rate
60.5%
Members
1

Test Statistics

Worthing is among the stronger places in the country to sit a practical test: 60.5% of candidates pass, against the national average of 48.6%. The most common reason for failing is observation at junctions, which costs 12.7% of candidates their test. Tests booked on a Saturday between 08:00 and 09:00 do best, passing 69%.

Worthing driving test pass rate and statistics

Pass Rate
60.5%
National: 48.6%
Total Tests
4,509
~21.0 per day
First Attempt Rate
50.6%
Avg 2.0 attempts
Dangerous Faults
0.03
3.0% of tests have any
Serious Faults
0.65
38.5% of tests have any
Minor Faults
4.20
91.4% of tests have any

Common faults at Worthing

Most Common Fail Reasons

Junctions - observation12.7%
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 direction4.9%
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.
Positioning - normal driving4.4%
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.
Move off - safely3.8%
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 - steering3.4%
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.
Junctions - turning right2.9%
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.
Clearance / obstructions2.3%
Common Scenarios:
  • Driving too close to a vehicle when passing, even though the road allows for more space.
  • Driving too close to parked vehicles or other fixed structures.
Why More Common Here:
  • Narrow roads with limited space for cars to give way to each other.
  • Awkwardly placed width restrictors.
  • High levels of traffic and/or bus routes on narrow roads.
Progress - speed (too slow)2.2%
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 - control1.9%
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 - undue hesitation1.8%
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.

Most Common Minor Faults

Move off - safely0.47
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.
Mirrors - signalling0.32
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.
Progress - speed (too slow)0.28
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.
Progress - undue hesitation0.26
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.
Control - steering0.25
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 - control0.21
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 speed0.19
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 - observation0.19
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 direction0.16
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 driving0.15
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.

Manoeuvres tested at Worthing

Emergency stopTested 33.1% of the time
Pass Rate
63.3%
Fail Rate
1.5%
Reverse bay parkTested 26.7% of the time
Pass Rate
56.9%
Fail Rate
7.9%
Parallel parkTested 25.0% of the time
Pass Rate
60.3%
Fail Rate
10.3%
Reverse rightTested 24.4% of the time
Pass Rate
62.1%
Fail Rate
7.6%
Forward bay parkTested 23.7% of the time
Pass Rate
63.7%
Fail Rate
5.1%

Best times to book at Worthing

Mon-Fri
16:00-17:00
Pass Rate
100.0%
~0.0 tests/day
Saturday
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
79.2%
~0.8 tests/day
Sunday
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
78.6%
~0.5 tests/day
Sunday
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
76.5%
~0.6 tests/day
Sunday
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
72.4%
~0.9 tests/day
Sunday
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
69.2%
~0.4 tests/day
Saturday
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
69.0%
~1.4 tests/day
Sunday
All times
Pass Rate
67.6%
~4.7 tests/day
Sunday
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
65.5%
~0.9 tests/day
Saturday
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
65.2%
~0.7 tests/day
Mon-Fri
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
64.4%
~1.7 tests/day
Saturday
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
64.0%
~0.8 tests/day
Mon-Fri
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
63.2%
~3.4 tests/day
Mon-Fri
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
62.1%
~3.2 tests/day
Saturday
All times
Pass Rate
60.4%
~8.6 tests/day
Mon-Fri
All times
Pass Rate
60.3%
~26.7 tests/day
Mon-Fri
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
60.1%
~3.4 tests/day
Sunday
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
60.0%
~0.5 tests/day
Mon-Fri
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
59.9%
~3.5 tests/day
Mon-Fri
13:00-14:00
Pass Rate
59.6%
~3.3 tests/day
Mon-Fri
08:00-09:00
Pass Rate
59.4%
~3.8 tests/day
Mon-Fri
14:00-15:00
Pass Rate
58.1%
~3.4 tests/day
Sunday
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
57.1%
~0.5 tests/day
Sunday
12:00-13:00
Pass Rate
57.1%
~0.5 tests/day
Saturday
11:00-12:00
Pass Rate
56.4%
~1.3 tests/day
Saturday
10:00-11:00
Pass Rate
55.8%
~1.4 tests/day
Mon-Fri
15:00-16:00
Pass Rate
52.3%
~1.0 tests/day
Saturday
07:00-08:00
Pass Rate
51.9%
~0.9 tests/day
Saturday
09:00-10:00
Pass Rate
50.0%
~1.4 tests/day

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