Hartlepool

Learner drivers heading to Hartlepool test centre for their driving test won’t struggle to find it. Located on Mainsforth Terrace, right near Hartlepool Bay, the test centre is in close proximity to the local Vue Cinema and Asda Superstore. If you’re taking the plunge at this test centre, we’d suggest getting to know the ins and outs of Hartlepool before heading in for your practical. Read up on our test centre guide below for directionspass ratestest routes and much more!


Address

Unit 20, Newburn Bridge Industrial Estate Mainsforth Terrace Hartlepool County Durham TS25 1TZ

Tests Offered at Hartlepool

  • Car

Parking

Toilets

Male, female and disabled toilets are available

Disabled Access

You can get into the test centre in a wheelchair

Phone Number

0142 9244675

Check the book your driving test service for availability.

How To Get There

If you live in the middle of Hartlepool, then finding the local test centre will be a doddle, as it’s just a mile to the south of the town centre. Don’t worry if you’re travelling from a bit further out, though: just follow local A roads, such as the A19 and A689. To make sure you don’t get lost on your first visit, use these directions with your sat nav.

A Bit More About Hartlepool

With Hartlepool test centre being located on the bay front, next to various popular landmarks, you’ll have to get used to encountering heavy traffic during rush hour. The examiner will be paying close attention to how well you adjust to stop-start traffic, not to mention the transition between speed limits once you get onto busy A roads like the A689. With the centre being close to several tight residential streets, expect them to feature on your test—parked vehicles will be a hassle here, forcing you to face oncoming traffic all the while keeping a cool head. Other challenging road types, like the roundabout off Belle Vue Way near Burn Road, are also likely to crop up during your practical.

If you’re looking for more general information about the Hartlepool area, you can’t go wrong with these resources:

Hartlepool Test Route

If you’re someone who likes to prepare for every eventuality or situation, you won’t be pleased to find that the DVSA likes to maintain an air of mystery when it comes to their test routes. In fact, they don't publish them at all. So, no matter how hard you look, you won’t be able to find your exact route anywhere. That being said, you can still figure out which roads are most likely to feature in your test by watching videos of Hartlepool test routes on YouTube, or by downloading our sample Hartlepool driving test routes.

Hartlepool Test Pass Rates

Whether you’re a nervous driver or completely confident in your abilities, it’s likely that you’ve wondered about how many attempts you’ll need in order to pass the driving test. If that’s the case, you’re in the same boat as many other learners in the UK. As big fans of pass rates, we’re fully equipped to help sate your curiosity! For starters, the national average pass rate is 45.9%. As for learners taking the plunge at Hartlepool test centre, check out pass rates from the last five years below...

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
53.7% 53.1% 54.4% 54.2% 54.1%

With pass rates above the national average, Hartlepool test centre is looking pretty decent. Of course, that’s not to say that you’ll definitely pass here. You’ve still got to put in the work in your lessons and impress your driving examiner in order to pass. There are no shortcuts with learning to drive!

What If I Can’t Go To Hartlepool?

If the waiting times at Hartlepool test centre are too long, or you simply don’t want to take your test there anymore, you’ve got plenty of other nearby test centres to head to. If you’re sticking to County Durham, Durham is your closest option. Alternatively, you could head to Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire.

What To Expect On The Day

After putting so much blood, sweat and tears into mastering every driving skill necessary to become a safe and confident driver, your big day has finally arrived. Yep, that’s right. It’s time for you to show off your new skills and get your hands on a full driving licence.

There are a couple of things you’ll need to remember on your big day. First, you won’t be able to take the test without your provisional. So, try not to forget it! Second, you’ll need to give yourself time to get to the waiting room and meet the examiner. As such, you’re advised to get to Hartlepool test centre 10 minutes before your practical is supposed to start.

Your driving test will then follow this format:

  • An eyesight test, where you’ll need to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres
  • Two “show me, tell me” questions covering vehicle safety and maintenance
  • Twenty minutes of general driving, where you’ll be guided by the examiner, and will also need to perform one of the following manoeuvres:
  • Twenty minutes of independent driving, during which you’ll either follow sat nav directions or sign posts to reach a set destination

After what probably seems like a lifetime under the watchful stare of the examiner, your test route will finally loop back to Hartlepool test centre. You’ll only need to wait a few minutes, then the examiner will let you know whether you’ve passed or failed. They’ll also give you a breakdown of your driving test faults (unless you’re part of the zero minors club) on a physical feedback sheet. Alternatively, you’ll receive your feedback by email via the driving test app.

But What If I Fail?

Contrary to popular belief, less than half of learner drivers in the UK actually pass on their first attempt. So, if you do end up failing, you can at least take some comfort in knowing it’s not an uncommon occurrence. Instead of dwelling on it, you should concentrate on improving in the areas you picked up the most faults in. A good way to do this is by taking a refresher course with a DVSA-approved instructor.

Ready to give the test another go? If you don’t want to wait around weeks, or even months, for a test date, get PassMeFast to fast-track your test for you. To get one booked in, simply give us a ring on 0333 123 4949, or contact us online.

Improve Your Chances With PassMeFast

If you’re a learner looking to ditch the L plates in Hartlepool, you’ll be pleased to hear that PassMeFast’s intensive and semi-intensive courses are available across County Durham. If you book a course with us, you get to set the pace with your lessons. If you’ve got bags of time on your hands, you could finish a course in one week! Alternatively, if you’ve got a busy schedule, you can fit lessons in whenever’s best for you. Plus, we’ll even fast-track your test so you’re not waiting around!

Want to get a better look at what PassMeFast has to offer? Take a look at our course prices page or driving courses rundown. If you’re stuck between courses, our course recommender tool will help. Once you’re ready to book in, give us a bell on 0333 123 4949, or book your course online.