The second test centre available to learners in the Stoke-on-Trent area, Newcastle-under-Lyme is better suited to those to the west of the city—just a few miles out from Newcastle-under-Lyme. Learners won’t struggle too much with finding the test centre. It’s situated on Newcastle Road A34, across from Royal Stoke University Hospital. Putting your mettle to the test here? Read our essential guide below to familiarise yourself with the centre. You’ll find directions, pass rates, test routes and much more below.
Car parking spaces available
Male and female toilets are available
You can get into the test centre in a wheelchair
0178 2713134
If you’re heading to the test centre from Newcastle-under-Lyme, get onto the A34 and it will be smooth sailing from there. If you’re coming in from Stoke-on-Trent, take Queensway and turn onto the A34 to reach the test centre. With the close proximity of the M6, learners coming in from further afield should have no trouble reaching Newcastle-under-Lyme test centre. If you’re not entirely confident with your direction skills just yet, follow these directions to avoid any confusion.
Before you can even think about getting your hands on your full driving licence, you first have to take the practical test. Whilst it will be difficult, it’s not impossible. The examiner will, of course, attempt to incorporate as many tricky areas and road types as they can into the test route—but it’s only to make sure you’re ready to drive around unsupervised. Newcastle-under-Lyme certainly has plenty of challenges up its sleeves, from the series of roundabouts down the A34 to the busy roads around Royal Stoke University Hospital. If you’re taking your test here, you’ll certainly have your driving skills put to the test!
On the lookout for information on the Newcastle-under-Lyme area in general? Take a look at the resources below.
Though the DVSA used to publish test routes in the past, they have since stopped. They want to make sure that learners really are ready to ditch the L plates, and the best way to do this is to ensure that learners aren’t simply memorising routes. You won’t be able to predict what will happen on the roads in real life situations, after all, so why should your test be any different? Of course, you can still make a few educated guesses by watching videos of Newcastle-under-Lyme test routes on YouTube or by downloading our sample Newcastle-under-Lyme driving test routes. If that wasn’t enough, your instructor will prepare you by taking you around the roads likely to show up on your test.
Want to know how other learner drivers perform on their practical test? You’re in luck—we’ve got just the stats you want! The current national average pass rate in the UK stands at 45.9%. As for learners biting the bullet at Newcastle-under-Lyme test centre, you can see pass rates from the last five years in the table below…
2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 |
50.2% | 45.6% | 42.0% | 41.1% | 38.8% |
Whilst you might not be all that impressed by Newcastle-under-Lyme’s pass rates in recent years, we wouldn’t get too bogged down by them. The driving examiner will be watching to see how safe and confident a driver you are—they’re not going to give you a pass just because you’re taking your test at a centre with a high pass rate.
Not satisfied with our selection of stats yet? If you’ve not yet chosen a transmission for your driving lessons, you might be interested in reading up on manual vs automatic pass rates.
If Newcastle-under-Lyme is no longer a viable option for you, you don’t have to worry too much. Staffordshire has a nice range of test centres for learner drivers to choose from. If you’re looking for one near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent (Cobridge) is closest.
So you’ve finally finished your driving lessons! Bet it feels like just yesterday you were freaking out about clutch control and figuring out steering. Well, you’re finally ready to put your skills to the test. Of course, if you’re feeling a bit shaky, we’d recommend you read up on our tips and tricks for preparing for the driving test.
You’ll want to get to Newcastle-under-Lyme test centre 10 minutes before your practical is due to start. You’ll also want to triple-check you’ve got your provisional licence before you leave the house—otherwise, you won’t be allowed to go in for your test. Once all this is sorted, this is the layout it will follow:
As soon as you’ve parked back up at Newcastle-Under-Lyme, your practical will officially end. Phew! The examiner will take a minute or so to quickly finish their feedback sheet. Once they’ve done so, you’ll find out whether you’ve passed or failed. Regardless of the outcome, you should pay attention to the feedback sheet—all drivers have room for improvement.
Thought it might seem a bit cliche, if at first you don’t succeed, try again. If you’re truly determined to become a fully qualified driver, you will get there eventually. All it takes is hard work. So, put in a few more hours with your instructors and work your lessons around the feedback sheet given to you by the examiner.
Once you’re ready to give the practical another go, get PassMeFast to fast-track one for you. Just give us a bell on 0333 123 4949 or contact us online to get things booked in now.
Ready to ditch the L plates? Raring to take to the roads unsupervised? PassMeFast can make that happen. Our intensive and semi-intensive courses get learners passed weeks or even months earlier than hourly lessons. Got a busy schedule? No problem. Our courses are flexible and can be worked around your availability. Working with one of our DVSA-approved instructors, you’ll fit lessons around your schedule and build up your skills until you’re ready to take your driving test.
So, if you don’t fancy putting off learning to drive, get the ball rolling with PassMeFast today. Simply head on over to our course prices page to see what course packages we have on offer. Or, if you’ve already had some experience, get our course recommender to tell you your ideal course. Then, give us a call on 0333 123 4949 to get started, or book a course online.