Newton Abbot Test Centre

    Driving test cancellations, pass rates and key info in Devon.

    About Newton Abbot Test Centre

    The Newton Abbot Driving Test Centre is situated in the heart of Devon, offering a blend of urban and rural driving experiences. Test routes typically incorporate the busy town centre roads, which can include complex junctions such as the Kingsteignton Road and Cricketfield Road roundabout, requiring keen observation and confident decision-making. Learners should also anticipate navigating through residential areas, often featuring parked cars and narrower streets, testing their hazard perception and ability to pass safely. Furthermore, routes may extend to include faster main roads like the A380 or B3195, assessing independent driving skills and maintaining appropriate speeds. The local area presents varied challenges, from managing traffic in bustling retail zones to handling country lanes with blind bends and uneven surfaces. This diversity ensures that successful candidates are well-rounded drivers capable of handling a range of real-world conditions. While specific pass rates for Newton Abbot are not publicly disclosed, the variety of road types suggests that a comprehensive understanding of diverse driving scenarios is key to success here.

    Driving Test Cancellations at Newton Abbot

    For learners seeking an earlier driving test at the Newton Abbot centre, understanding the cancellation system is crucial. Driving test cancellations become available when other candidates reschedule or cancel their appointments. These cancelled slots can appear at any time, often with little notice, making them difficult to secure without constant monitoring. While it is possible to manually check the DVSA website for these openings, this can be a time-consuming and often frustrating process. Find Me A Driving Test offers a service to alleviate this, scanning the DVSA website 24/7 specifically for new driving test cancellations at Newton Abbot, and alerting users instantly when a suitable slot becomes available. This significantly increases the chances of securing an earlier test date at this popular Devon location.

    Pass rate trend at Newton Abbot

    Pass rate over time

    Annual pass rate at Newton Abbot, from 2007-08 to 2024-25 (DVSA data).

    Between 2007-08 and 2024-25, the pass rate at Newton Abbot has remained broadly stable, moving from 53.3% to 51.9% (down 1.4 percentage points). It peaked at 60.2% in 2011-12 and was lowest at 48% in 2021-22, with a long-run average of 54.2%. Pass rates vary year-to-year due to changes in test demand, examiner availability, candidate readiness and local route difficulty — these figures are taken directly from DVSA's published statistics.

    Year-by-year pass rate

    Year Pass rate
    2024-25 51.9%
    2023-24 50.1%
    2022-23 50.8%
    2021-22 48%
    2020-21 52.9%
    2019-20 49%
    2018-19 49.5%
    2017-18 50.5%
    2016-17 54.4%
    2015-16 58.8%
    2014-15 57.3%
    2013-14 60%
    2012-13 58.1%
    2011-12 60.2%
    2010-11 58.1%
    2009-10 57%
    2008-09 55.4%
    2007-08 53.3%

    Frequently asked questions

    You can move your test to these test centres

    From 9 June 2026, the DVSA only lets you move a booked test from Newton Abbot to one of the centres below. These are the official rebooking options for this centre.