Gateshead

If you’re situated in the Gateshead area, your nearest test centre isn’t far away. Found in the Waterside Drive industrial estate, Gateshead test centre is conveniently located close to the A1, making it easy for candidates across Tyne and Wear to get here. Looking to learn more about the test centre and local area? Check out our comprehensive guide to Gateshead test centre, complete with directionspass ratestest routes and much more!


Address

Waterside Drive Dunston Gateshead Tyne and Wear NE11 9HU

Tests Offered at Gateshead

  • Car
  • Motorcycle module 1
  • Motorcycle module 2
  • ADI part 2
  • ADI part 3

Parking

Toilets

Male, female and disabled toilets are available

Disabled Access

You can get into the test centre in a wheelchair

Phone Number

0191 2567747

Check the book your driving test service for availability.

How To Get There

Though you might not be familiar with Waterside Drive, you can reach it fairly easily by following signs towards Dunston or the nearby MetroCentre. Head along the A1 if you’re coming from the west, or the A184 if travelling from the town centre. If you haven’t had the chance to explore the local area yet, we’d recommend following these directions with your trusty sat nav.

A Bit More About Gateshead

As with any other test centre in the UK, the area around Gateshead test centre comes with its own challenges and quirks. For starters, any learner with a strong dislike of roundabouts had best get over it quickly—there are quite a few scattered along the A1114 on either side of the test centre. The test centre itself is also situated next to MetroCentre, so expect it to get slightly busier during rush hour. Of course, your route won’t be entirely fast and furious. The driving examiner will incorporate some of the quieter residential roads into the mix. So, keep your eyes peeled for changes in speed limit!

Want to get to know more about Gateshead itself? Check out these resources:

Gateshead Test Route

As much as we’d like to give you the Gateshead test route, this isn’t possible. That’s because the DVSA no longer publish their test routes. It may seem harsh, but the last thing the DVSA wants is for learners to simply memorise a route. However, you can still get a leg up by watching videos of Gateshead test routes on YouTube or by downloading our sample Gateshead driving test routes. Plus, if you’re learning with a local ADI, you’re sure to come across much of your route during your lessons!

Gateshead Test Pass Rates

If you’ve got several family members or friends who happened to pass the driving test on their first attempt, you might be wondering how you’ll measure up in comparison. Will you pass first time as well? Or will you need a few more attempts to get it right? Whilst we can’t look into our crystal ball to tell you, we can show you how other learner drivers have performed in the past.

For starters, learner drivers in the UK currently have a 45.9% chance of passing the test. As for those heading to Gateshead test centre, you can get pass rates from the last five years in the table below...

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
46.6% 44.4% 41.8% 44.7% 43.5%

Though we can’t really say that pass rates at Gateshead test centre have been particularly inspiring in the past few years, they’re certainly not the worst. Plus, it’s important to remember that, in the end, the stats don’t matter. The examiner isn’t looking at pass rates during your driving test, after all—they’re watching you!

What If I Can’t Go To Gateshead?

Don’t worry too much if Gateshead test centre is no longer an option for you—there are plenty of test centres in Tyne and Wear. If you’re looking to stay close to Gateshead, Elswick is your closest option.

What To Expect On The Day

No matter how well prepared you may be, almost all of us face a few test day nerves. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that your instructor would never let you take the test if they didn’t think you were ready. So, try to power through and focus on getting prepared.

First off, triple-check that you’ve got your provisional before you head out. You’ll need to show this in the waiting room. In order to give yourself enough time to park up and wait for the examiner, get to Gateshead test centre 10 minutes before your test is due to start.

Your practical will then consist of:

  • 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

The test route will eventually lead you back to Gateshead test centre (unless you took several bad turns!). The examiner will ask you to park up and stop the car. They will then tot up your driving test faults, and give you your result. You’ll be able to see the full breakdown of faults on a physical feedback sheet, or on an email sent via the driving test app.

But What If I Fail?

Though it can be upsetting to fail the driving test, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, less than half of learners in the UK end up passing on their first attempt! If you do fail, you’ll at least be more familiar with the layout of the test, giving you a better idea of what you’re up against next time.

If you want to make sure you get things just right on your next attempt, we have two recommendations. First, take a refresher course and work on the areas you picked up the most faults in. Second, try practising driving outside of lessons with friends or family. The more you get used to driving, the easier it will be to fly through your test.

Ready to go in for your next attempt? Avoid the long waiting times by booking a fast-track practical test with PassMeFast.

Improve Your Chances With PassMeFast

Dying to get your hands on a full driving licence? You’re in luck! PassMeFast’s intensive and semi-intensive courses are available across Tyne and Wear. Book with us, and you’ll spend your lessons taking to the roads around Gateshead with a local, DVSA-approved instructor. You’ll can fit lessons in and around your schedule, with each session lasting from 2 to 5 hours. We’ll even fast-track your practical so you don’t have to deal with standard DVSA waiting times.

Not sure PassMeFast is the right fit for you? Read up on why intensive courses are so popular nowadays. We’re sure you’ll change your mind!

Ready to take one step closer to becoming a fully qualified driver? Check out our course prices page to see our 9 packages. Alternatively, get full course descriptions and videos in our driving courses rundown. Once you’ve picked a course, book it online, or over the phone on 0333 123 4949.