Driving Theory Test Centres in Canterbury

Nestled in the centre of this charming cathedral city, you’ll find the Canterbury theory test centre. It’s actually located near one of the main roads that runs through the centre of Canterbury (the A28), meaning it’s easy to find whether you’re travelling by car or public transport. Handy!

Need a little more information? You’re in luck! We’re going to delve into everything you could possibly want to know about the Canterbury theory test centre. Read on for directions, wait times, pass rates, local amenities and much more!


Address

Suite E, The Clock Tower Building St Georges Street Canterbury Kent CT1 2LE

Phone Number

0333 200 1122 Please note: no direct phone number is available for this theory test centre.

Map


Arriving at Canterbury Theory Test Centre

By public transport

A central location usually means that a test centre will be situated in close proximity to an area’s main train station. Canterbury is rather special, though, so they do things a bit differently. Rather than having one central station, you have Canterbury East and Canterbury West. You’re almost spoiled for choice!

If you want to opt for the quickest option, though, keep things simple and head to Canterbury East. From here it’ll only take you 10 minutes on foot to reach your destination. For those who prefer to take the scenic route, Canterbury West is still a reasonable 13-minute walk from the centre.

No time for all that walking malarkey? Take the bus and hop off at the Canterbury bus station. It’s 2 minutes (our best offer) from the test centre.

For further information on Canterbury’s transport links, check out the Visit Canterbury website.

By car

For those who’ve managed to snag some kind of lift to the theory test centre, just get your taxi driver/dear friend/chauffeur to enter CT1 2LE into a sat nav and hit the highway!

Parking

As is often the case, the theory test centre does not provide its own parking. If whoever drove you is looking to drop the car off somewhere while you take your test, there are some options close by. Direct them towards the Queningate car park (CT1 2HJ), which is just a 2-minute walk from the test centre. Here, you’ll be charged £3.60 for 2 hours of parking.

Alternatively, you could make use of the Longport car park (CT1 1DU). It’s 6 minutes from where you’ll be taking your theory test and charges £3.40 for 2 hours of parking.

Both options have more than 100 spaces, so as long as you get there in good time, you should have little trouble finding a free spot.

Pass Rates by Year

We’ll let you into a little secret: pass rates actually don’t mean much for learners. They’re really just numbers for the DVSA to keep track of. That being said, Canterbury’s stats are pretty impressive. The 2019/20 national average was 47.1% and, as you can see, the Canterbury test centre has been consistently above average. So, if numbers comfort you, rest assured that the Canterbury pass rates are fairly high!

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22
50.2% 50.6% 49.3% 47.6% 48.2% 55.1% 56.3%

Guides and Tips

They say every little helps and this is definitely true when it comes to the theory test. Don’t be too cocky—plenty of people underestimate how tricky it can be to pass the theory first time. If you want to be in with a good shot, you need to put the work in. Study, revise and study some more! There are plenty of resources out there that can make the learning process fairly painless (and, dare we say, even fun!). We’ve listed some of our top study aid options below.

Ready to Go?

Nearby Theory Test Centres

Hotels

So, you’ve picked your test centre location and you’re knees-deep in revision tools—what else can you do to make sure test day is a success? Top of our list is getting a good night’s sleep. If you’re not from Canterbury itself, you can save yourself the traffic stress and transport woes by booking into a local hotel the night before your test.

Here are a few options to consider:

Travelodge Canterbury Chaucer Central ★★★☆☆

Let’s face it, you’re only staying for one night, so why splash the cash? This Travelodge provides just what you need for a comfortable stay. Don’t get too excited about the fact it’s called ‘Chaucer central’—we were a little disappointed to learn that there’s no copy of The Canterbury Tales in your room and not a gift shop in sight! Can’t beat the location, though; it’s just around the corner from the test centre!

Premier Inn Canterbury City Centre ★★★☆☆

You could also pay a visit to Travelodge’s slightly fancier competitor: Premier Inn. This branch is 4 minutes from the test centre and offers free WiFi throughout your stay. Hunker down in your luxury Hypnos bed and squeeze in some last minute revision online. Or, if you’re feeling peckish, head over to the onsite restaurant for a slap up meal.

The Corner House Restaurant & Hotel ★★★★☆

This delightful establishment is a restaurant first and guest house second. But these rooms are not to be sniffed at! In fact, each one is spacious, beautifully decorated and a real treat for a weary traveller. Get this: you can even order breakfast to be served to you in bed! Go on—treat yourself!

Places to Celebrate

Once the theory test is over it would be a shame to leave the city without having a bit of an explore. Canterbury is a very special place with plenty to see and do. By this point you probably deserve a drink of some kind anyway, so why not take the opportunity to sample a local boozer? Below are a few we picked out.

The Shakespeare

We’re not sure how old Geoffrey would feel about this recommendation, but the quality of the food and drink at this delightful city centre pub cannot be ignored. Fine ales, delicious grub and a wine bar—what more could you ask for?! Friendly staff are also on hand to make you feel welcome and offer some great tips on the menu.

Parrot

If you want to soak up the history of Canterbury, the Parrot is a great place to start. It’s situated in one of the city’s oldest buildings—with foundations dating back to the 14th century! Whet your appetite with a locally-brewed ale and peruse their menu of top quality nosh. Medieval beams and oak flooring still intact, the atmosphere of this place is pretty unbeatable.

The Goods Shed

This restaurant/food hall/farmers market won’t exactly leave you wanting when it comes to options. Whether you want to sample the local fare or just have a browse, The Goods Shed is really worth a visit while you’re in the city. From small plates and cocktails to baked goods and fresh coffee, they really have something for everyone!

What Happens Next?

Canterbury theory test centre is a great option for those living within or just outside the county of Kent. Locals can easily stroll to the city centre location, while even those from far and wide should be able to make it to their test fairly easily by car or public transport. The theory test is also a great excuse to visit one of the UK’s most historically-rich cities!

Once the theory test is in your rear-view mirror, it’s time to turn your attention to the practical test. This one takes far more practice and may be a little more nerve-wracking for some. Push any doubts aside and get the ball rolling by booking your test. If you’re from Canterbury, the closest practical test centres are Canterbury itself or Herne Bay.

Still working on passing the theory test? Don’t be too dismayed if you fail first time. Book yourself another test as soon as possible (which means leaving a gap of at least 3 working days) and study up on the areas you found challenging.

Whatever your current driving situation might be, if you’re still looking to earn that licence, PassMeFast can be of service. We offer courses for learners of all experience levels and our office team will organise the instructor and tests, so you don’t have to. Give us a ring on 0333 123 4949 to find out more and get on the road!

Ready to go? Skip the small talk and hit the button below to get started. The road to driving doesn’t have to be long!

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