Bolton Test Centre

Question 1

Tell me how you'd check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Answer

The brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Test them as you set off, and the car should not pull to one side.

Question 2

Tell me where you'd find the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how they should be checked.

Answer

The pressures are in the manufacturer's guide. Use a reliable gauge, check and adjust the tyres when cold, include the spare and refit the valve caps.

Question 3

Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted to give the best protection in a crash.

Answer

The rigid part of the head restraint should be at least as high as your eyes or the top of your ears, and as close to the back of your head as is comfortable.

Question 4

Tell me how you'd check the tyres have enough tread depth and are in a safe condition.

Answer

Look for cuts and bulges, and check for at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre, all the way round.

Question 5

Tell me how you'd check that the headlights and tail lights are working.

Answer

Switch the lights on, turning on the ignition if needed, then walk round the car to check each one. You do not need to get out on the test.

Question 6

Tell me how you'd know if there was a problem with the anti lock braking system.

Answer

A warning light on the dashboard comes on if the anti lock braking system has a fault.

Question 7

Tell me how you'd check the direction indicators are working.

Answer

Switch on the hazard warning lights, turning on the ignition if needed, then walk round the car to check every indicator flashes.

Question 8

Tell me how you'd check the brake lights are working on this car.

Answer

Press the brake pedal and check the reflection in a window or garage door, or ask someone to look.

Question 9

Tell me how you'd check the power assisted steering is working before a journey.

Answer

Keep gentle pressure on the steering wheel while starting the engine, and it should move slightly as the system starts. Heavy steering means the system may not be working.

Question 10

Tell me how you'd switch on the rear fog lights and when you'd use them.

Answer

Switch on the dipped headlights, then the rear fog light switch, and check the warning light. Use rear fog lights when visibility drops below 100 metres.

Question 11

Tell me how you switch your headlights from dipped to main beam and how you'd know main beam is on.

Answer

Operate the headlight switch with the dipped lights on, and a blue main beam warning light appears on the dashboard.

Question 12

Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check the engine has enough oil.

Answer

Find the dipstick or the dashboard oil level indicator, and check the oil sits between the minimum and maximum marks.

Question 13

Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check the engine has enough coolant.

Answer

Find the coolant header tank and check the level sits between the high and low marks.

Question 14

Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check you have a safe level of brake fluid.

Answer

Find the brake fluid reservoir and check the level sits between the high and low marks.

Question 15

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?

Answer

Operate the control that washes and wipes the rear windscreen.

Question 16

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?

Answer

Operate the control that washes and wipes the front windscreen.

Question 17

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd switch on your dipped headlights?

Answer

Operate the headlight switch to the dipped setting.

Question 18

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd set the rear demister?

Answer

Press the rear demister switch.

Question 19

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd operate the horn?

Answer

Press the horn control, usually in the middle of the steering wheel.

Question 20

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd demist the front windscreen?

Answer

Set the fan, temperature and air direction to the windscreen, and switch on the heated screen if the car has one.

Question 21

When it's safe to do so, can you show me how you'd open and close the side window?

Answer

Operate the window control to open the side window and close it again.

Question 22

Where is Bolton driving test centre?

Answer

Bolton driving test centre is at 143 Weston Street in Great Lever, Bolton BL3 2AW, beside the First Bus depot and close to the A666 St Peter's Way. Bolton driving test centre runs car tests and both ADI Part 2 and ADI Part 3 instructor tests.

Question 23

What is the Bolton test centre pass rate?

Answer

DVSA data shows Bolton test centre passed 51.8% of its 11,570 car tests in 2025/26, ahead of the 50.0% national average. First attempt candidates did better still at 52.8%, while manual tests passed at 54.7% and automatic tests at 46.7%.

Question 24

Is Bolton an easy test centre?

Answer

Bolton is easier than average on paper, with a 51.8% pass rate in 2025/26 against 50.0% nationally, but the rate dropped from 56.7% the year before. Routes include fast merges on St Peter's Way and a busy town centre gyratory, so preparation still decides the result.

Question 25

Is there parking at Bolton driving test centre?

Answer

Bolton driving test centre has 11 parking spaces, which fill quickly with candidates arriving and leaving for tests. Arriving around 10 minutes early in your instructor's car avoids blocking spaces that other learners need for their own tests.

Question 26

What are the Bolton driving test routes?

Answer

Bolton driving test routes are not published, but tests regularly use Weston Street, St Peter's Way (A666), the town centre gyratory, Green Lane, Derby Street and the A676. Since November 2025, examiners have been able to choose faster roads where possible.

Question 27

How long is the wait for a driving test at Bolton?

Answer

Bolton is one of the busier centres to book: the typical learner waited about 12 weeks between booking and test day in September 2026, according to DVSA figures. Impulse intensive courses include test booking support, with a practical test date in 1 to 8 weeks, or your money back in full.

Question 28

Can I take an automatic driving test at Bolton?

Answer

Automatic tests run at Bolton test centre too, and automatic candidates passed at 46.7% in 2025/26, 8 points behind manual candidates at 54.7%. An automatic licence covers automatic cars only, which matters if you might drive a manual later.

Question 29

Does the Bolton driving test go on the M61?

Answer

No, the practical driving test never includes motorway driving, so the M61 is not part of any Bolton test route. Tests can still use the A666 St Peter's Way, a fast dual carriageway, which is why merging practice matters.

Question 30

Can Impulse book my driving test at Bolton for me?

Answer

No. Since the DVSA's 2026 rule changes, a driving test can only be booked or changed by the learner, and each booking allows 2 changes at most. Impulse intensive courses include test booking support to help you secure a Bolton date and plan lessons around it.

Question 31

What happens if I fail my driving test at Bolton?

Answer

Failing at Bolton means the examiner talks you through every fault before you leave, and a new test can be booked after at least 10 working days. Your instructor can then target those exact faults in your lessons, using the test report as the plan.

Question 32

Where is the Bolton theory test centre?

Answer

The Bolton theory test centre is at Suite 2A, Knowsley House, 4-6 Knowsley Street, Bolton BL1 2AH, in the town centre and separate from the Weston Street practical test centre. A car theory test costs £23, and a pass stays valid for 2 years.

Year	Bolton	National Average	Difference
2019 to 2020	51.6%	45.9%	+5.7 points
2020 to 2021	58.2%	49.8%	+8.4 points
2021 to 2022	56.7%	48.9%	+7.8 points
2022 to 2023	58.5%	48.4%	+10.1 points
2023 to 2024	54.9%	47.9%	7.0 points higher
2024 to 2025	56.7%	48.7%	8.0 points higher
2025 to 2026	51.8%	50.0%	1.8 points higher

Measure	Bolton 2025/26
First attempt	52.8%
Manual tests	54.7%
Automatic tests	46.7%
Male learners	53.5%
Female learners	50.0%
17 year olds	69.9%
Faultless first passes	215

Fact	Details
Address	143 Weston Street, Great Lever, Bolton BL3 2AW
Location	Great Lever, south of Bolton town centre
Tests offered	Car tests, plus the ADI Part 2 and Part 3 instructor tests
Parking	11 spaces at the centre
Toilets	Male, female and disabled toilets
Wheelchair access	Yes, into the test centre
How to book	gov.uk/book-driving-test, by the learner
DVSA phone	0300 200 1122, Monday to Friday
Nearest other centre	Atherton, about 4 miles away

No.	Road	What It Tests	How to Practise
1	Weston Street, Great Lever	Buses near the depot	Check mirrors before pulling out
2	St Peter's Way (A666)	Fast merges and 50 mph limits	Match traffic speed on the slip road
3	Town centre gyratory	Lane choice on a gyratory	Read the lane signs early
4	Kearsley roundabout (A666 and A6053)	Lane choice at speed	Follow the lane boards for your exit
5	Green Lane	Parked cars and narrow gaps	Hold back and give way early
6	Derby Street	Traffic lights and side roads	Plan each junction ahead
7	School zones	Flashing lights and children	Slow early and scan the pavements
8	Bolton College area	Heavy traffic at busy times	Leave extra space in queues
9	A676	Faster A road driving	Keep a safe following gap
10	St. James Street	Right
11	Market Street	Right
12	Long causeway	Left
13	Green Lane	End of road
14	Derby Street	Traffic light ahead
15	Trinity Street	Traffic light left
16	Moor Lane	Follow the A579
17	Crompton Way	Traffic light ahead
18	Blackburn Road (A666	Mini roundabout ahead
19	Halliwell Road Right	Right
20	Manor Rd	End of road left
21	Driving Test Centre	Return

Ready If	Not Yet If
15 or fewer minors	Still need instructor prompts
No serious faults	Serious faults in mocks
A666 merges feel calm	Merging feels rushed
Manoeuvres right first time	Manoeuvres hit and miss
Comfortable following sat nav	Lost without directions

Test Centre	Distance	Pass Rate 2025/26	Tests 2025/26
Bolton	This centre	51.8%	11,570
Atherton	About 4 miles	44.3%	13,035
Bury	About 6 miles	46.3%	7,024
Cheetham Hill	About 9 miles	44.7%	10,207

Bolton Test Centre

Pass Rates, Local Roads and Practical Test Preparation

Pass Rate

National Average

Tests a Year

Automatic Pass Rate