BuryDriving 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 Bury driving test centre?

Answer

Bury driving test centre is on Smith Street, Bury BL9 6HH, at the corner of Brook Street, just off Peel Way and the A56 and under a mile from Bury town centre. Only car tests and the ADI Part 3 instructor test take place at the Bury centre.

Question 23

What is the Bury test centre pass rate?

Answer

DVSA data puts the Bury test centre pass rate at 46.3% for 2025/26, from 7,024 car tests, a rise from 40.3% the year before that still leaves Bury below the 50.0% national average. Manual candidates passed at 48.9%, automatic candidates at 38.9% and first time candidates at 45.7%.

Question 24

Is Bury a hard test centre?

Answer

Bury has been one of the harder centres in the country, ranking 305th of 323 UK car test centres in 2024/25 with a 40.3% pass rate. The rate rose to 46.3% in 2025/26, but Bury's mix of busy roundabouts around The Rock and a one-way town centre still rewards local practice.

Question 25

Is there parking at Bury driving test centre?

Answer

Yes, Bury driving test centre has parking spaces on its small, fenced site, and arriving in your instructor's car is the simplest option. Aim to arrive about 10 minutes early and keep the spaces clear for candidates returning from their tests.

Question 26

What are the Bury driving test routes?

Answer

Bury driving test routes are not published, but sample routes leave Smith Street for Bury New Road, Bury Old Road, Manchester Road and Walmersley Road. Local driving schools also flag the junction where Peel Way, the A56, The Rock and the B6222 meet as one of the trickiest spots.

Question 27

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

Answer

The typical Bury learner waited only about 6 weeks between booking and test day in September 2026, according to DVSA figures, less than half the wait at Bolton. 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 Bury?

Answer

Yes, Bury runs automatic car tests, but automatic candidates passed at only 38.9% in 2025/26, 10 points behind manual candidates at 48.9%. Automatic learners at Bury should plan extra practice on the local routes, and remember an automatic pass covers automatic cars only.

Question 29

Does the Bury driving test go on the M66?

Answer

No. The M66 runs past Bury, but motorway driving is never part of a practical test, so no Bury route uses it. Tests can still include faster sections of main road under the November 2025 changes, so practise keeping pace with traffic on roads such as Manchester Road.

Question 30

Is there a tram to Bury test centre?

Answer

Yes, Bury Interchange, the end of the Metrolink Bury line, is under a mile from the test centre on Smith Street, about 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Most learners still arrive in their instructor's car, which is also the car they take the test in.

Question 31

Can Impulse book my driving test at Bury for me?

Answer

No. Since the DVSA's 2026 changes, a learner must book and manage their own test, with no more than 2 changes allowed per booking. Impulse intensive courses include test booking support to help you secure a Bury date and plan your lessons around it.

Question 32

What happens if I fail my driving test at Bury?

Answer

Every failed test at Bury ends with a debrief, where the examiner explains each fault, and a new test can follow once 10 working days have passed. Your instructor then builds the next lessons around that report, starting with the faults that cost the pass.

Year	Bury	National Average	Difference
2017 to 2018	37.5%	46.3%	8.8 points lower
2019 to 2020	35.4%	45.9%	10.5 points lower
2020 to 2021	38.9%	49.8%	10.9 points lower
2021 to 2022	38.5%	48.9%	10.4 points lower
2022 to 2023	36.9%	48.4%	11.5 points lower
2023 to 2024	38.2%	47.9%	9.7 points lower
2024 to 2025	40.3%	48.7%	8.4 points lower
2025 to 2026	46.3%	50.0%	3.7 points lower

No.	Road	What It Tests	How to Practise
1	Smith Street and Brook Street	Pulling out from the centre	Creep forward and look both ways
2	Peel Way, A56 and B6222 junction	A complex junction of several roads	Read the signs and lanes early
3	The Rock roundabouts	Busy roundabouts in town	Signal clearly and check mirrors
4	Bury town centre	One-way streets	Check the signs at every turn
5	Knowsley Street and Bolton Road	Congestion at busy times	Leave space in slow traffic
6	Manchester Road (A56)	Busy main road at rush hour	Keep a safe following gap
7	Bury New Road	Junctions and a roundabout	Plan each turn ahead
8	Bury Old Road	Right turns off a main road	Wait for a safe gap
9	Walmersley Road	Main road junctions north of town	Position early at junctions

Test Centre	Distance	Pass Rate 2025/26	Tests 2025/26
Bury	This centre	46.3%	7,024
Bolton	About 6 miles	51.8%	11,570
Chadderton	About 7 miles	46.8%	15,988
Cheetham Hill	About 7 miles	44.7%	10,207

BuryDriving Test Centre