Do you live near Basingstoke or need to take a driving practical at the Basingstoke driving test centre?
Yes? You have come to the right place!
In this article, you will learn:
✔️The steps to book a driving practical in Basingstoke
✔️The different driving routes you will come across during your driving practical
✔️Where you can find an experienced, qualified driving instructor
✔️Where you can find accommodation if you are travelling to Basingstoke for your driving exam
✔️Additional learning materials that my students leverage to pass their exams on their first attempt
✔️An excellent resource for becoming privy to the Basingstoke driving routes
Once you have finished reading this article, you will know exactly what you need to do to get your driving license in Basingstoke without feeling anxious or stressed.
Basingstoke Driving Test Centre - Location & Accommodation
Basingstoke has ranked as the 7th easiest place to pass your driving test in the UK and the Basingstoke driving test centre. It is situated close to the M3, about ten minutes from the town centre. The test centre is on Sullivan Road off Brighton Way, right next to the large ASDA supermarket. The surrounding area features a mix of residential roads, roundabouts, and both narrow and busier traffic systems.
📍Address:
Sullivan Road, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 4LR
Basingstoke Driving Test Centre facts
The Basingstoke Driving Centre has some positives and negatives. Here are some important facts about the centre that you must know:
✔️7th easiest place to pass a driving practical in the UK
✔️The current pass rate at the Basingstoke test centre is around 57%, which sits right in the national average
✔️Test waiting time is around 19.92 weeks because there’s a high demand for driving tests at this centre
👉 Pro tip: Due to a lack of invigilators, long wait times are common at all test centres. You can use the driving test cancellations application if you wish to get your driving test faster. My students use this application, and they love how hassle-free and easy it is to book a test. One of my students even told me the other day that his driving practical was booked in just 15 minutes!
Basingstoke Driving Test Centre Facilities
At the Basingstoke Driving Test Centre, you will find several facilities that have been specifically designed to ensure you have a comfortable, stress-free experience.
When you arrive at the centre, here’s what to expect:
✔️Availability of male and female washrooms on-site
✔️The centre is disabled-friendly as they take steps to make proper arrangements to make individuals with disabilities feel safe and comfortable.
✔️Car parking is available at the test centre.
✔️Basingstoke Test Centre offers several tests, including ADI Part 3 Tests and Car Tests.
Knowing what to expect at the centre will help reduce your stress and increase familiarity, ensuring you will be confident enough to ace your test.
Driving Test Availability at Basingstoke Test Centre
The Basingstoke Test Centre conducts a variety of driving tests.
Specifically, it offers:
What to expect on test day?
The Basingstoke driving test centre has a small car parking facility with limited spaces. Hence, candidates are requested not to arrive earlier than 10 minutes before their test starts. Make sure you are carrying your Provisional Driving License with you.
Once you arrive, make sure no one else is manoeuvring in the car park and then drive in and reverse into the parking bay. Enter the waiting room and remain there until your examiner calls out your name.
Your driving examiner will walk you through the initial parts of the exam so you can hit the road with confidence.
The test will be as follows:
✔️An eyesight test - Here, you will be asked to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres.
✔️“Tell me” questions - You will be asked to answer questions relating to vehicle safety and maintenance. This will showcase your knowledge about the car’s features.
✔️Driving with instructions from the examiner - Now that you have passed your eyesight test and demonstrated your knowledge regarding car safety and maintenance, you will be subject to 20 minutes of general driving. Follow the instructions from the examiner. You will also need to perform one manoeuvre, which could be forward/reverse bay parking, parallel parking, or pulling up on the right.
✔️“Show me” questions - Here, the examiner will ask you questions about vehicle controls. These questions will be asked as you are driving along.
✔️Independent driving - Here, you will be driving independently for 20 minutes. You may follow signposts or sat nav directions to reach a set destination. The examiner might ask you to make an emergency stop.
You’ll find out if your hard work has paid off once you are back at the Basingstoke driving test centre. The examiner will tell you the result and might even offer feedback if you have made any mistakes during the test.
You will get a pass certificate if you pass the test.
👉 Please note that the test examiners have the discretion to stop the test if they feel unsafe. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, take many online driving courses or work with an instructor. This will ensure you know exactly what the examiner will be expecting from you.
Why is it important to know Basingstoke test routes?
It is important to know the Basingstoke test routes because it will make you confident and enhance your chances of passing your exam.
If you are familiar with the test routes, you will be in control during the exam, and this will help you get a pass certificate on your first attempt.
The Basingstoke test centre examiner will have your driving practical started in a moderately busy residential area as this immediately places you into real-world driving scenarios. During the test, you are likely to encounter routes that navigate through areas like Brighton Hill, Kempshott, or areas that approach the outskirts of Basingstoke. Your examiner might also direct you towards roads that lead to the M3 junctions.
If you are asked to drive near the M3 junctions or in areas that lead towards the outskirts of Basingstoke, you should be aware of the following:
To combat these challenges, it is highly recommended to learn the Basingstoke test routes by heart so that when the examiner asks, you can anticipate what you will see, do, and feel.
Booking Your Driving Test at Basingstoke
Securing a practical driving test appointment at Basingstoke test centre can be challenging due to the limited availability of preferred times and dates.
If you cannot book at Basingstoke, you can consider these alternative test centres that are conveniently located within a 20-mile radius of Basingstoke:
🚨 Fun fact: Some hotels offer lucrative discounts if you are looking for a driving test. Take advantage of these discounts by checking out my recommended Basingstoke accommodation. This would be perfect if you are travelling long distances for your practical driving test at Basingstoke.
Do you not want to wait long before you can book your driving test at Basingstoke? This is understandable because after passing your driving theory test, you only have a year to get your license. If you fail, you will be required to sit for the driving theory test again.
Instead of wasting your time and money, you can use the driving test cancellations application to get your driving test appointment in Basingstoke quickly.
Handling a Test Failure
❌ So, you did not pass your driving test at Basingstoke? No need to worry about extending waiting times for a re-test.
Focus on improving those areas where you lacked during your first practical driving test with the help of a driving instructor. Get driving lessons in and around the Basingstoke area.
Are you learning to drive with your friend or a family member? If so, a great way to prepare and save money is by purchasing online courses together. Online courses ensure you can learn and practice at your own pace.
Do you want to know about some excellent online driving courses? You can check out my online driving courses reviews page.
You will learn which online driving courses I recommend as an ADI approved driving instructor, the standard of preparation you need to meet, and how you can spot a bad course so you do not end up wasting your money.
What do I recommend you do now?
I recommend you to:
✅Learn the driving test routes
✅Book an online driving course
✅Download the cancellation checker app
I am ending this post hoping you learned a lot. However, if you still have questions or need help, you can use the form below and I’ll get back with additional information or resources.
📝 What is the pass rate at the Basingstoke driving test centre?
🛣️ How do I prepare for the Basingstoke driving test routes?
🚘 Is there car parking at the Basingstoke test centre?
📜 What documents do I need for my driving test at Basingstoke?
🚦 What driving skills are tested at Basingstoke?
Passing your Basingstoke driving test is achievable with the right preparation. Know the routes, use online tools, and work with a good instructor—and you’ll be on your way to getting your licence!
If you have any questions or need further advice, leave a comment or contact me directly. 🚗💨
