Rochdale Driving 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 Rochdale driving test centre?

Answer

Rochdale driving test centre is in Room G10 of Globe House on Moss Bridge Road, Rochdale OL16 5EB, just off the A664 and 5 to 10 minutes from the town centre. Rochdale driving test centre runs car tests only, with no motorcycle, lorry or instructor tests.

Question 23

What is the Rochdale test centre pass rate?

Answer

Rochdale's 2025/26 pass rate was 48.3% across 11,563 car tests, DVSA data shows, a jump from 41.2% in 2024/25. The Rochdale test centre pass rate now sits 1.7 points below the 50.0% national average, and first time candidates passed at 48.6%.

Question 24

Is Rochdale a hard test centre?

Answer

Rochdale has long been one of the hardest centres in the UK, ranking 299th of 323 in 2024/25, but its pass rate rose to 48.3% in 2025/26. Roundabouts on Wallhead Road, busy A roads such as the A664 and narrow residential streets are the roads to practise most.

Question 25

Is there parking at Rochdale driving test centre?

Answer

No, Rochdale driving test centre has no car park, so candidates park on nearby streets, which makes arriving in your instructor's car the easiest option. Inside Globe House there are male and female toilets, and the DVSA confirms wheelchair access to the centre.

Question 26

What are the Rochdale driving test routes?

Answer

Rochdale driving test routes are not published, but sample routes use Wallhead Road, Kingsway and Queensway, Manchester Road, Milnrow Road and Oldham Road, with roundabouts on Edenfield Road and Whitworth Road. The A664 and A6193 run close by, alongside narrow residential streets.

Question 27

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

Answer

Rochdale had one of the shortest waits in Greater Manchester in September 2026, at about 6 weeks from booking to test day, 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 Rochdale?

Answer

Yes, Rochdale runs automatic car tests, and automatic candidates passed at 42.8% in 2025/26 against 50.3% in manual cars. Rochdale's roundabouts reward smooth speed control, which an automatic makes easier, but an automatic licence will not cover manual cars.

Question 29

Is Rochdale test centre the hardest in Greater Manchester?

Answer

No, not any more. Rochdale had the lowest pass rate in Greater Manchester in 2024/25, at 41.2%, but in 2025/26 it passed 48.3%, ahead of Chadderton, Bury, Cheetham Hill, West Didsbury and Atherton. Atherton now has the lowest rate in Greater Manchester, at 44.3%.

Question 30

Can Impulse book my driving test at Rochdale for me?

Answer

No. Only you can book or change your Rochdale test under DVSA rules from 2026, and each booking allows no more than 2 changes. Impulse intensive courses include test booking support to help you secure a Rochdale date and plan your lessons around it.

Question 31

What happens if I fail my driving test at Rochdale?

Answer

Rochdale examiners explain every fault on the spot, and a retest can be no sooner than 10 working days later. Your instructor then turns the test report into a lesson plan aimed at those faults, starting with any serious ones.

Year	Rochdale	National Average	Difference
2019 to 2020	30.8%	45.9%	15.1 points lower
2020 to 2021	50.1%	49.8%	0.3 points higher
2021 to 2022	47.3%	48.9%	1.6 points lower
2022 to 2023	44.5%	48.4%	3.9 points lower
2023 to 2024	38.2%	47.9%	9.7 points lower
2024 to 2025	41.2%	48.7%	7.5 points lower
2017 to 2018	38.1%	46.3%	8.2 points lower
2025 to 2026	48.3%	50.0%	1.7 points lower

Measure	Rochdale 2025/26
First attempt	48.6%
Manual tests	50.3%
Automatic tests	42.8%
Male learners	50.1%
Female learners	45.7%
17 year olds	62.5%
Faultless first passes	65

Fact	Details
Address	Room G10, Globe House, Moss Bridge Road, Rochdale OL16 5EB
Location	Just off the A664, 5 to 10 minutes from the town centre
Tests offered	Car tests only
Parking	No car park, so park on nearby streets
Toilets	Male and female toilets
Wheelchair access	Yes, confirmed by the DVSA
How to book	gov.uk/book-driving-test, by the learner
DVSA phone	0300 200 1122, Monday to Friday
Nearest other Impulse centre	Chadderton, about 5.5 miles away

No.	Road	What It Tests	How to Practise
1	Moss Bridge Road and Wallhead Road	Repeated roundabouts near the centre	Signal and position early for right turns
2	Kingsway and Queensway	Main road junctions and lights	Read the lanes at the lights early
3	A664	Busy A road traffic	Keep a safe following gap
4	A6193	Busy town centre A road	Plan lane changes early
5	Manchester Road	Traffic lights and roundabouts	Approach the lights ready to stop
6	Milnrow Road and Oldham Road	Main road turns	Check mirrors before every turn
7	Edenfield Road and Whitworth Road	Roundabouts north of the town centre	Choose the lane for your exit
8	Rooley Moor Road and Falinge Road	Residential roads and junctions	Creep forward and look both ways
9	Residential side streets	Narrow, unpredictable streets	Hold back where parked cars narrow the road

Ready If	Not Yet If
15 or fewer minors	Still need prompts
No serious faults	Serious faults in mocks
Roundabouts feel routine	Roundabout exits confuse you
Manoeuvres right first time	Manoeuvres hit and miss
Confident on narrow streets	Narrow streets cause hesitation

Test Centre	Distance	Pass Rate 2025/26	Tests 2025/26
Rochdale	This centre	48.3%	11,563
Chadderton	About 5.5 miles	46.8%	15,988
Bury	About 6 miles	46.3%	7,024
Cheetham Hill	About 9 miles	44.7%	10,207

Rochdale Driving Test Centre

Pass Rates, Local Roads and Practical Test Preparation

Pass Rate

National Average

Tests a Year

Automatic Pass Rate