Redditch

How To Get There

If you’re trying to get to Redditch test centre from the middle of town, you’re in for a real treat! All you’ve got to do is get onto Unicorn Hill, then Hewell Road, before turning onto Elm Road. What a breeze! Don’t start flapping if you live further afield in Worcestershire. The centre is close to A roads like the A441, A448 and A435, so it’s easy enough to get to. Of course, if it’s your first time heading to Redditch test centre, you’ll probably want to avoid attempting it with only road signs. Instead, get a sat nav out and use these directions. Once you’ve been there a few times, you’ll be able to drive there blindfolded (not that we’d recommend it, of course!).

A Bit More About Redditch

Much like every other test centre in the UK, the location of Redditch test centre was carefully chosen in order to ensure it could give examiners enough variety for test routes. For starters, the centre’s close vicinity to the town centre means you’d best be prepared to face heavy traffic during rush hour. The nearby A441 will likely crop up on your route, which happens to feature a range of challenging roundabouts—particularly near Alcester Highway and Warwick Highway.

Even as the examiner guides you towards the quieter roads in Redditch, you’ll need to make sure your hazard perception skills are on point. The test centre is close to a range of local schools, which means that speed limits are sure to change and you’ll likely encounter a few pedestrian crossings. Additionally, some of the more narrow roads will require you to manoeuvre around parked vehicles on both sides of the road whilst facing oncoming traffic—so be on your toes! At some point, the examiner will also ask you to demonstrate one of the driving test manoeuvres.

On the lookout for more general information about Redditch? Have a look at these resources:

• National Rail
• Bus
• Council
• BBC Weather
• More about Redditch

Redditch Test Route

Though it might pain you to hear this, you won’t be able to find your exact Redditch test route anywhere. The DVSA stopped publishing routes in 2010. They did this in order to make sure learners were building up their driving experience and skills in a variety of areas—not just the roads featured in their test route. Before you start weeping in despair, know that you can still get a measure of what to expect in a few different ways. You can watch videos of Redditch test routes on YouTube, or download our sample Redditch driving test routes. If that’s not enough, take driving lessons with a local ADI and they’ll help you familiarise yourself with the roads most likely to crop up on your test!

Redditch Test Pass Rates

Wondering how you might perform on the day of your test? Want to know how other learners fare on their big day? Thanks to the DVSA regularly publishing its statistics, we can actually get a good idea of how people do on their test and what kind of factors can affect pass rates. From manual vs automatic pass rates to pass rates by area to the average number of attempts it takes to pass the driving test, we cover it all on the PassMeFast blog!

Not got the time to look through our interesting posts? That’s fine. We’ll give you a quick rundown instead! Those in the UK currently have a 45.9% chance of passing the test. As for those taking the plunge at Redditch, check out the centre’s pass rates from the last five years in the table below...

With pass rates resting above and below the national average in the last five years, we’d understand if you didn’t think Redditch was anything to write home about. Of course, in that same breath, we’d like to remind you that pass rates aren’t the be all and end all. In fact, Redditch’s pass rates have absolutely no impact on your chances of passing. Ultimately, it’s all down to your personal ability and performance on the day. So, pay attention during your lessons and give it your all on the day!

What If I Can’t Go To Redditch?

If Redditch test centre is no longer a viable option for you, don’t fret! There are plenty of test centres in the UK. Whether you’re looking for a change in scenery or a backup option to increase your chances of getting that perfect test date, you’ve got plenty to choose from. Your closest option in Worcestershire is Bromsgrove, or Kings Heath in the West Midlands.

What To Expect On The Day

After spending hours in the car with your instructor, trying to mirror their driving finesse and confidence, you’re finally at a point where you can take the driving test. Drum roll, please! This means you’re almost at the finish line and can near enough feel that full driving licence in your hands. Take a deep breath. You’ve got this!

Of course, you won’t actually “get” anything at all if you’re not given the opportunity to take the driving test. So, be sure to check you have your provisional—you won’t be allowed to take the test otherwise. Also, try to get to Redditch 10 minutes before your test is due to start. This will give you enough time to park up and wait at the reception area for your driving examiner.

Your driving test will follow this basic 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:
  • Parallel parking
  • Bay parking
  • Pulling up on the right
• Twenty minutes of independent driving, during which you’ll either follow sat nav directions or sign posts to reach a set destination

After around 40 minutes, your driving test will finally be at an end and the driving examiner will guide you back to Redditch test centre. Give yourself a pat on the back! Regardless of the result, you’ve worked hard to get here. Now, be patient. The examiner will need a few moments to complete their paperwork. Once they’re done, they’ll give you their verdict. You’ll be able to look at exactly which areas you picked up faults in (if any) with a physical feedback sheet or over email via the driving test app.

But What If I Fail?

Every test you take has the potential to end in failure. It’s a simple truth. Even the most confident of learner drivers can end up slipping up on a tiny mistake during their test. Obviously, it can be a pretty devastating moment. The trick is to not get hung up on your negative feelings. Instead, focus on ironing out your bad habits and preparing for your next attempt. Failing the test is only a minor setback—it doesn’t have to mark the end of your journey.

We’d recommend taking a refresher course before you attempt the test again. You can work with a local ADI to improve on the areas you picked up the most faults in, not to mention give your confidence the boost it needs. We can even throw in a fast-track practical test if you’re interested. To get the ball rolling, give us a call on 0333 123 4949, or contact us online.

Improve Your Chances With PassMeFast

If you don’t choose the right driving school, you could end up prolonging your learning journey by months, if not years. One lesson a week simply isn’t enough time for you to properly get to grips with a skill and build up your muscle memory. That’s why PassMeFast offers intensive and semi-intensive courses instead. By extending lessons, learners are able to master driving in a much shorter amount of time.

If you book onto a course with us, we’ll match you up with a local ADI who will help you familiarise yourself with the roads in Worcestershire and around Redditch test centre. Your lessons will last two to five hours at a time and will be worked around your schedule. You’ll also be assigned a CX Adviser who will sort out the admin work for you, find a test date and be ready to answer any questions you might have.

Ready to get started? To see what’s on offer, head on over to our course prices page or our driving courses rundown. Once you’ve picked a course out, you can book in over the phone on 0333 123 4949, or online. If you’re stuck between courses, you can get a recommendation from one of our sales advisors or try out our course recommender tool!