Cardiff driving test
Cardiff has a single car test centre, at Llanishen in the north of the city, and it is one of the busiest in Wales. Barry and Newport are the nearest alternatives and both often have shorter waits. Cardiff tests are shaped by the Welsh 20 mph default on residential roads and a handful of large junctions on the A48.
- 57%🏆 Barry
- 6.2 wks⏱ Newport (Gwent)
- 10.5 ptsbest to worst
Driving test centres in and around Cardiff
- 1BarryCF62 5QN57.0%Wait 10 wks
- 2Newport (Gwent)Newport · NP19 4XH48.9%Wait 6.2 wks
- 3Cardiff (Llanishen)Cardiff · CF14 5GF46.5%Wait 11.1 wks
Cardiff roads to know before your test
🛣 A48 Eastern Avenue
Fast dual carriageway across the north of the city with slip roads and a 50 mph limit in places.
🛣 Gabalfa interchange
Where the A48 crosses the A470 North Road. A large roundabout under a flyover with several lanes and traffic lights.
🛣 A469 Caerphilly Road
Near Llanishen. A steady climb north with bus stops, shops and side roads.
🛣 20 mph residential roads
Wales made 20 mph the default on restricted roads in 2023, and some have since gone back to 30. Read every sign.
Local tips for a Cardiff test
- Do not assume a street is 30 mph because it would be in England. In Wales, a road with street lights and no signs is 20 mph.
- Llanishen tests a lot of candidates, so slots go fast. Barry and Newport are 20–30 minutes away and often sooner.
- Signs are in Welsh and English. Both say the same thing; read whichever is first and move on.
Practise what Cardiff throws at you
Cardiff driving test FAQ
What is the driving test pass rate in Cardiff?
48.1% across the 3 test centres in and around Cardiff in 2025/26, weighted by the number of tests each one conducts. The Great Britain average is 50%.
Which test centre near Cardiff has the highest pass rate?
Barry, at 57%. The lowest is Cardiff (Llanishen) at 46.5%, a gap of 10.5 points.
Which test centre near Cardiff has the shortest wait?
Newport (Gwent). Candidates tested there in August 2026 had booked a median of 6.2 weeks earlier.
Can I practise the Cardiff driving test routes?
Yes. PassRank has 15 practice routes around 3 test centres serving Cardiff that you can drive in 3D on your phone or computer. They are generated from the roads near each centre, not DVSA's own routes, which DVSA does not publish.
How many driving test centres are in Cardiff?
One: Cardiff (Llanishen). Barry and Newport (Gwent) are the closest other centres.
Is the speed limit 20 mph on my Cardiff test?
On most residential roads, yes. Since September 2023 the default limit on restricted roads in Wales is 20 mph, though some roads have been set back to 30. Follow the signs.
Can I take my driving test in Welsh?
Yes. You can ask for the test to be conducted in Welsh when you book.
Get ready for test day
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Pass rates are DVSA figures for 2025/26; waits are for August 2026. Practice routes are generated from the road network around each centre. DVSA does not publish test routes, and your examiner may take a different one.