BredburyDriving 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 Bredbury test centre?

Answer

Bredbury test centre is on Lingard Lane, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2QT, inside Bredbury Park Industrial Estate between Brinnington and Bredbury centre. Bredbury test centre runs car, motorcycle, lorry and bus tests, plus the ADI Part 3 instructor test.

Question 23

What is the Bredbury driving test centre pass rate?

Answer

Bredbury driving test centre had a 56.0% pass rate in 2025/26, from 10,636 car tests, 6 points higher than the 50.0% national average, according to the DVSA. Candidates on their first attempt passed at 57.9%, and manual tests outperformed automatic tests by 58.8% to 47.6%.

Question 24

Is Bredbury an easy test centre?

Answer

Bredbury has one of the higher pass rates in Greater Manchester, 56.0% in 2025/26, but 44% of candidates still fail. Examiner pass rates at Bredbury ranged from 8% to 67% in 2023 and 2024, according to Freedom of Information figures reported by The Telegraph.

Question 25

Is there parking at Bredbury driving test centre?

Answer

Yes, unlike some busier centres, Bredbury driving test centre has its own car park for candidates and instructors. Arrive about 10 minutes before your test and wait inside, because the examiner collects each candidate from the waiting room by name.

Question 26

What are the Bredbury driving test routes?

Answer

Bredbury driving test routes are not published, but sample routes use Lingard Lane, Town Lane, Lower and Higher Bents Lane, Berrycroft Lane, Hatherlow, Sandy Lane and Werneth Road. Faster roads, such as the A560, can also feature, because the November 2025 changes let examiners use them where possible.

Question 27

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

Answer

DVSA figures for September 2026 show a typical gap of about 16 weeks between booking a Bredbury test and sitting it. 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 Bredbury?

Answer

Yes, Bredbury runs automatic car tests, though automatic candidates passed at 47.6% in 2025/26 against 58.8% for manual, an 11 point gap. An automatic licence only covers automatic cars, so learners who may later drive a manual should weigh that before choosing.

Question 29

Does the Bredbury driving test go on the M60?

Answer

No, motorways are never part of the practical driving test, so the M60 near Bredbury stays off every test route. Examiners can still use faster roads such as the A560, so confident driving at higher speeds matters on a Bredbury test.

Question 30

Is Hyde test centre still open?

Answer

No, Hyde test centre on Perrin Street has permanently closed. Learners from Hyde and the rest of Tameside can book Bredbury instead, with Chadderton and Cheetham Hill as the other nearest alternatives, all 3 covered by Impulse instructors.

Question 31

Can Impulse book my driving test at Bredbury for me?

Answer

No. Under DVSA rules introduced in 2026, only the learner can book or change a driving test, and each booking can be changed twice at most. Impulse intensive courses include test booking support to help you secure a Bredbury date and plan your lessons around it.

Question 32

What happens if I fail my driving test at Bredbury?

Answer

A failed test at Bredbury ends with the examiner going through each fault, and the next test can be booked once at least 10 working days have passed. The test report then becomes your lesson plan, with your instructor targeting the faults that cost the pass.

Year	Bredbury	National Average	Difference
2017 to 2018	41.7%	46.3%	4.6 points lower
2019 to 2020	42.1%	45.9%	3.8 points lower
2020 to 2021	43.4%	49.8%	6.4 points lower
2021 to 2022	53.6%	48.9%	4.7 points higher
2022 to 2023	53.8%	48.4%	5.4 points higher
2023 to 2024	52.2%	47.9%	4.3 points higher
2024 to 2025	54.2%	48.7%	5.5 points higher
2025 to 2026	56.0%	50.0%	6.0 points higher

No.	Road	What It Tests	How to Practise
1	Lingard Lane	Lorries and vans on the estate	Watch for vehicles leaving units
2	Lingard Lane traffic lights	Right turns at the lights	Position early for the turn
3	Town Lane and Taylor Lane	Side road junctions	Look both ways before emerging
4	Lower and Higher Bents Lane	Parked cars on residential roads	Hold back where the road narrows
5	Berrycroft Lane, Romiley	Traffic light junctions	Plan your lane on approach
6	Barrack Hill and Hatherlow	Turns at light controlled junctions	Check mirrors before every turn
7	Sandy Lane, Romiley	Emergency stop on sample routes	Practise a quick, controlled stop
8	Werneth Road, Woodley	Turns onto a busier road	Wait for a safe gap
9	A560	Faster A road driving	Keep a safe following gap

Test Centre	Distance	Pass Rate 2025/26	Tests 2025/26
Bredbury	This centre	56.0%	10,636
West Didsbury	About 5.5 miles	47.7%	17,806
Cheetham Hill	About 7 miles	44.7%	10,207
Chadderton	About 7 miles	46.8%	15,988

BredburyDriving Test Centre