Driving Theory Test Centres in Chatham

Arriving at Chatham Theory Test Centre

By public transport

Heading to Chatham theory test centre by train? You’re in for a fairly smooth ride. From Chatham train station it should only take you 7 minutes to walk to your test. A couple of left and right turns and you’re there!

If you want to be dropped off even closer to the test centre, take a bus. Anchorage House and Hospital Lane bus stops are both situated just 2 minutes away (in opposite directions).

Still craving more transport info? Head over to the Medway Council website.

By car

There’s also a chance someone’s giving you a lift to the test, enabling you to avoid all that public transport stress. If this is the charmed kind of life you lead, just get whoever’s driving to type ME4 4EP into their sat nav.

The theory test centre is on the main high street, just a few buildings down from the Medway County Court. The entrance to the centre is fairly nondescript, but if close enough you should be able to make out blue ‘Pearson’ signs on the window and door.

Parking

The downside of arriving by car is that, if your designated driver is planning to stick around, you need to find parking. It’s usually the case that theory test centres do not provide on site parking, and Chatham is not different. So, you’re going to have to go on a bit of an adventure!

The closest spaces are actually an 8-minute walk away (train’s looking pretty good now, huh?) at the Sir John Hawkins car park (ME4 4JL). The good news is that it’s relatively cheap—£1.50 for 2 hours of parking.

Another good option is Globe Lane car park (ME4 4HA), which is 9 minutes from the test centre and charges exactly the same as the Sir John Hawkins.

Pass Rates by Year

As far as we’re concerned, pass rates aren’t the be all and end all when it comes to judging test centres. If you’re interested, though, Chatham theory test centre’s pass rates have dipped below the national average in recent years. Take your test here and see if you can give them a boost!

Guides and Tips

If we could tell learners one thing about the theory test it would be that you really do need to revise. You might think it just covers basic road knowledge, but you’d be amazed how much information there is to learn. Leave yourself enough time to study up on everything and make use of the available resources that can prepare you for what’s to come. Some of our favourites are listed below.

• Official DVSA Theory Test App for Android
• Official DVSA Theory Test App for iOS
• Safe Driving for Life
• Theory Test Rundown: What to Expect on the Day

Ready to Go?

Nearby Theory Test Centres

• Basildon
• Southend-on-Sea

Hotels

If you’re the type of person who likes to be well-prepared and get a head start on the day, why not stay overnight in Chatham on the eve of your theory test? This isn’t necessary if you live close by, of course, but for those coming from further afield it can be a real stress reliever. See below for a few lodging options that are very close to the test centre.

St George Hotel ★★☆☆☆

On the street just behind Chatham theory test centre sits this charming family-run hotel. They’ve tried to create a home away from home, so you can expect free WiFi, comfy beds and contemporary interiors. Its proximity to the test centre makes the St George your most convenient option.

The Charles Hotel ★★★☆☆

You may have noticed that they really have a penchant for naming hotels after kings in Chatham (it took all of our restraint to hold back from adding a third to this list). Anyway, The Charles offers bright, clean rooms and even boasts a terrace and bar area for their guests to enjoy. It’s only an 8-minute walk from the test centre and spitting distance from Chatham train station.

Travelodge Chatham Maritime ★★★☆☆

For those who prefer to stay with a name they can trust, you do have the option of a Travelodge. This one is located in the dockyard area of Chatham, where you can check out some of the historical sites along the riverbank. Your room comes with all of the basic amenities you would expect—TV, comfortable bedding and tea and coffee making facilities.

Places to Celebrate

Woohoo, you did it! Theory test over and done with, it’s time to celebrate! Chatham has a range of pubs, bars and cafes where you can grab a quick (or leisurely) drink before heading home. Check out some of these gems:

Britannia Bar Cafe

If your main priority is finding the nearest pub to the test centre you need only walk a few feet up the street before stumbling upon the Britannia. They have a great selection of ales and the friendly staff are on hand to help you find your perfect tipple. There’s also a lovely little beer garden out back that you can enjoy (if the weather behaves itself).

City Wall Wine Bar

This place calls itself a wine bar but you can actually get pretty much anything you want, from a classy cocktail to a full roast dinner. It’s a pretty big place so expect a lively atmosphere and possibly even some live entertainment. Heads up: Thursday night is karaoke night—don’t say we didn’t warn you!

The George Vaults

George sure gets around, and in this instance he’s an inn turned contemporary brasserie. Oh la la! Seriously, though, the food here is top notch and you couldn’t ask for nicer surroundings. Or more options—the place has 4 bars and a courtyard. Try not to get lost when deciding where to park your bum!

What Happens Next?

With short wait times and a central train station just a few minutes away, you can’t really go wrong with Chatham theory test centre. It’s certainly a no-brainer if you’re from the north of Kent!

Once you’ve got your theory test pass certificate, it’s time to start thinking about the practical test. Polish up your skills behind the wheel and book a test. If you’re based in or around Chatham, your nearest test centres will be in Gillingham or Maidstone.

For those who didn’t manage to pass the theory first time, dust yourself off and try again. Seriously, don’t delay or focus on the negative—pull your socks up and book another test. At least you know exactly what to expect on test day now. Second time’s a charm.

PassMeFast has a selection of courses designed to get learners of all experience levels on the road as soon as possible. To find out more about our services or get booked in, call our team on 0333 123 4949. Alternatively, you can click that tempting green button below to kick start your driving journey today!

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