No app. No sign-up. Practice exactly where you’ll be tested — on Google Maps.

Sunderland Driving Test Routes – Pass Rate, Common Faults & Practice Tips

The Sunderland Driving Test Centre serves learners across Sunderland, including Pallion, Ryhope, Fulwell, Silksworth, and surrounding areas. Driving test routes here often combine busy A-roads, multi-lane roundabouts, coastal roads, and residential streets, requiring strong observation, accurate lane positioning, and confident speed control.

Practising real Sunderland driving test routes in advance helps learners understand local traffic flow, handle roundabouts with confidence, and reduce hesitation on test day.

About Sunderland Driving Test Centre

Sunderland Driving Test Centre is a DVSA location known for roundabout-heavy routes and fast-changing traffic conditions. Tests frequently move between urban roads and faster dual carriageways, meaning candidates must demonstrate good anticipation, smooth lane changes, and consistent speed awareness.

Examiners closely assess mirror checks, lane discipline, observation at roundabouts and junctions, speed control, and how calmly candidates respond to merging traffic.

Sunderland Test Centre Pass Rate: 47.1% (Latest 2025/26 data)
Address: River Bank Road, North Hylton Road Industrial Estate, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 3JJ
Phone: 0300 123 9000 (Test Centre) / 0300 200 1122 (DVSA)
Toilets: Male, female, and disabled toilets available
Parking: Limited on-site parking available for test candidates
Accessibility: Fully accessible for wheelchair users

The pass rate at Sunderland is approximately 47.1%, aligning with the national average. Test routes in Sunderland often include varied road conditions, such as rapid changes in speed limits (like from 50 mph to 30 mph), intricate lane discipline requirements on bridges, and navigation through areas with a 20 mph limit. Candidates should expect to drive on both urban and industrial estate roads.

Book or Change Your Driving Test

You can book, change, or cancel your driving test at Sunderland through the official DVSA booking service.

Any changes must be made at least 3 working days before your test date to avoid losing your fee.

What the Driving Test Routes Are Like in Sunderland

Driving test routes at Sunderland are designed to assess a learner’s ability to handle busy coastal city driving. Candidates can expect:

Multi-lane A-roads with changing speed limits
Large roundabouts requiring early lane planning
Residential streets with parked cars and limited visibility
Coastal routes with steady traffic flow

Early observation, calm decision-making, and confident lane discipline are essential throughout the test.

Common Roads on Sunderland Driving Test Routes

While exact routes may vary, commonly used roads and areas include:

A690 Durham Road — heavy traffic, lane changes, and speed control
A19 junctions — merging traffic, acceleration, and observation
Sea Road & Fulwell area — residential layouts, parking, and junction spacing
Silksworth & Ryhope — roundabouts, residential streets, and meeting traffic
City ring-road sections — lane discipline and signage awareness

These locations are frequently used to assess real-world driving ability.

Hazard Spots on Sunderland Driving Test Routes

A690 junctions — learners often lose marks for late lane changes or weak mirror checks.
Large roundabouts near A19 access roads — incorrect lane choice and late signalling are common faults.
Residential streets around Fulwell — poor judgement when meeting oncoming traffic is frequently marked.
Coastal routes — inconsistent speed control and late observations can lead to faults.

Why Learners Often Fail on Sunderland Driving Test Routes

Learners often fail at the Sunderland test centre due to roundabout complexity and traffic speed changes, rather than serious driving mistakes. Common local fail reasons include:

Incorrect lane choice at large roundabouts
Late observation when merging onto faster roads
Hesitation at busy junctions
Inconsistent speed control on A-roads

These faults are usually linked to unfamiliarity with Sunderland’s main road and roundabout layouts.

What’s Included in the Driving Test Routes

The Sunderland driving test routes include:

Practice routes based on real local test patterns
Key A-roads, roundabouts, and residential streets
Routes suitable for repeat, structured practice
Easy access via Google Maps with no additional apps

The focus is on improving real driving confidence, not memorising routes.

Who These Routes Are For

These routes are ideal for:

Learners preparing for their first practical driving test
Candidates retaking a test at Sunderland
Drivers unfamiliar with the local area
Anyone looking to reduce test-day anxiety through better preparation

Start Practising Sunderland Driving Test Routes

Practising Sunderland driving test routes in advance allows you to focus on driving skills rather than navigation on test day.

Practise on real roads, in real conditions, using Google Maps—exactly where your test will take place.

Sunderland Driving Test Route Pack

Route Pack Details

✔ Multiple practice routes covering real Sunderland test-area roads

✔ Residential streets, busy junctions, and roundabouts commonly faced on test day

✔ Independent driving–style routes to practise decision-making

✔ Key test-area challenges to help reduce surprises

✔ One-click access via Google Maps — no apps or downloads

✔ Unlimited practice at your own pace

Map of Sunderland driving test routes featuring the A1231 Wessington Way, Queen Alexandra Bridge, and Northern Spire Bridge junctions.

Get Sunderland Driving Test Routes

Price: £8.99 (one-time purchase)

What Our Successful Candidates Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Liam W.,—Manchester

“Absolutely buzzin'! Passed my driving test first time today. Using these routes to practice with my dad made a massive difference. I knew exactly what to expect at the tricky junctions. Worth every penny!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Daniel K., — Leeds

“Such a great resource. Lessons are so pricey now, so being able to practice these specific routes in my own time saved me a fortune. The lane markings and roundabouts were spot on.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Chloe M. — Bristol

“I was so nervous about the test, but having the routes in advance really calmed my nerves. The maps are super accurate and easy to follow on my phone. Highly recommend to anyone feeling the pre-test jitters!”

Sunderland Driving Test Checklist

1. The Essentials

Provisional Licence: Must bring the original photocard or the test will be cancelled.
Theory Certificate: Carry your pass letter as a backup.
Eyesight: Wear glasses/contacts if you need them to read a plate from 20m.

2. Test Day Routine

Arrival: Arrive 10-15 mins early. Arriving too early or late may cause issues.
Vehicle Check: Ensure working lights, L-plates, and at least 1.6mm tyre tread.
3. Practical Tips
Clear Observation: Make head movements obvious during blind-spot checks.
Move On: Don't dwell on small mistakes; they may only be minor faults.
Commentary Driving: Speak your actions aloud to stay calm and show awareness.
Navigation: Taking a wrong turn won't result in a fail if you do it safely.

4. Final Review

Show Me, Tell Me: Study the 19 official questions from GOV.UK.

Sunderland Driving Test – FAQs

Q: Are these real Sunderland driving test routes?

A: Yes. These routes are built on real roads within the Sunderland driving test area and are informed by common practice experiences shared by local learners and instructors, helping reflect typical test conditions.

Q: Do I need to download an app to use the routes?

A: No. Simply open the route links inside the PDF — each route opens directly in Google Maps with one click.

No apps, no downloads, no setup required.

Q: What is the best time for a driving test at Sunderland?

A:The best times for Sunderland are 10:00 AM or 1:30 PM to avoid the heavy traffic on the A1231 during the morning and afternoon rush. These slots provide a calmer environment for navigating the multiple roundabouts near the Stadium of Light and residential areas in Southwick.

Q: Are the Sunderlanddriving test routes on Google Maps accurate?

A: Yes. Many of the Sunderland driving test routes available on Google Maps are accurate and reflect commonly used roads and patterns seen in actual tests, though exact route variations can change over time.

Q: How many times should I practise each route?

A: Practising each route 2–3 times is usually sufficient, with the focus on identifying weak points such as complex junctions, roundabouts, and other error-prone sections rather than repeating the route mechanically.

Nearby Driving Test Centres in the South East

Southampton (Forest Hills) Driving Test Centre

Winchester Driving Test Centre

Lee On The Solent Driving Test Centre

Related Driving Test Guides

Why learners often fail at Southampton (Maybush) Driving Test Centre

View all South East Driving Test Centres

Google Sites

Report abuse