Cardington Test Centre

    Driving test cancellations, pass rates and key info.

    About Cardington Test Centre

    The Cardington Driving Test Centre, situated at Her Majesty's Prison, The Hyde, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3LQ, offers a unique testing environment. Located near the rural village of Cardington, test routes often incorporate a diverse range of road conditions, from quiet country lanes to busier urban roads in nearby Bedford. Learners should anticipate navigating various roundabouts, crossroads, and residential streets, providing a comprehensive assessment of their driving skills. The centre's proximity to the A600 and A421 means that high-speed dual carriageways may also feature in test routes, requiring confident and safe driving at national speed limits. Examiner emphasis will be placed on observation, hazard perception, and independent driving. While specific pass rates fluctuate, the varied nature of the routes at Cardington suggests a good preparation will be key to success.

    Driving Test Cancellations at Cardington

    Finding driving test cancellations at Cardington can be challenging due to high demand. Learners seeking an earlier test date should utilise a cancellation checker service. Find Me A Driving Test scans the DVSA website 24/7 for new test slots at the Cardington Driving Test Centre. This significantly increases your chances of securing an earlier appointment, allowing you to take your test sooner. Consider using this service to receive real-time notifications for available tests.

    Pass rate trend at Cardington

    Pass rate over time

    Annual pass rate at Cardington, from 2012-13 to 2020-21 (DVSA data).

    Between 2012-13 and 2020-21, the pass rate at Cardington has improved, moving from 48.7% to 53.7% (up 5 percentage points). It peaked at 53.7% in 2020-21 and was lowest at 41.2% in 2017-18, with a long-run average of 46.2%. Pass rates vary year-to-year due to changes in test demand, examiner availability, candidate readiness and local route difficulty — these figures are taken directly from DVSA's published statistics.

    Year-by-year pass rate

    YearPass rate
    2020-2153.7%
    2019-2045.1%
    2018-1941.8%
    2017-1841.2%
    2016-1745%
    2015-1646%
    2014-1547.6%
    2013-1446.4%
    2012-1348.7%

    Frequently asked questions