Portsmouth Driving Test Routes & Test Centre Guide
Everything for the Portsmouth driving test centre — its pass rate, what to expect on test day, and how to practise on the roads around Portsmouth. SteerClear scores your drive live using your phone's sensors, so you know exactly when you're ready.
Driving test routes at Portsmouth
SteerClear has 10 practice routes that start and finish at Portsmouth. A typical one covers about 11.4 miles in 31 minutes of driving, taking in around 8 roundabouts.
Roads that come up most
- James Callaghan Driveon 10 of 10 routes
- Southwick Hill Roadon 9 of 10 routes
- London Roadon 8 of 10 routes
- Portsdown Hill Roadon 8 of 10 routes
- Northern Roadon 7 of 10 routes
- Western Roadon 5 of 10 routes
Speed limits along the routes
- 20 mph13%
- 30 mph36%
- 40 mph46%
- 50 mph4%
- 60 mph1%
- 70 mph1%
Share of route distance driven at each limit.
Official test routes stopped being published in 2010 and examiners choose the route on the day, so these are practice routes on the same local road network — not a copy of any examiner's sheet. Cover the roads above and very little on test day should be new to you.
The app works with any car. It uses GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope data to detect harsh braking, excessive speed, poor lane positioning and missed mirror checks live, so you can correct mistakes the same way an examiner would.
How does Portsmouth compare? See our national guide to UK driving test routes, with statistics from every practice route we have mapped across the country.
Frequently asked about Portsmouth
What is the pass rate at Portsmouth driving test centre?
The published practical driving test pass rate at Portsmouth is 51%, compared to a UK national average of 48%.
How do I practise driving test routes at Portsmouth?
Download SteerClear (iOS or Android), select Portsmouth as your test centre, and the app generates practice routes on the local roads around the centre. Each drive is scored live using your phone's sensors, covering speed, braking, lane discipline and observation.
Which roads are on the driving test routes at Portsmouth?
Official test routes are not published, but across SteerClear's 10 practice routes from Portsmouth the roads that come up most are James Callaghan Drive, Southwick Hill Road, London Road and Portsdown Hill Road. A typical route is about 11.4 miles.
Are the Portsmouth driving test routes published?
No. Official test routes stopped being published (sometimes searched for as driving exam routes) in 2010, and examiners choose the route on the day. You can still practise the local road network they draw from — SteerClear builds routes that start and finish at Portsmouth.
How long is the practical driving test at Portsmouth?
You drive for around 35 minutes on the practical test, whichever test centre you use. It includes an eyesight check, "show me / tell me" vehicle-safety questions, general driving, one reversing manoeuvre and 20 to 35 minutes of independent driving.
What happens on test day at Portsmouth?
Arrive at Portsmouth about 10 minutes early with your provisional licence. The examiner calls you, checks your documents, and does the eyesight test in the car park. You then drive the examiner-selected route, which uses local roads around Portsmouth. The examiner debriefs you at the end and tells you whether you've passed.
What are the most common reasons people fail the driving test at Portsmouth?
Across UK test centres, the most common fails are observation at junctions, mirror use during manoeuvres, steering control, poor lane positioning on roundabouts, and inappropriate speed. Practising on routes that cover the junctions and roundabouts around Portsmouth is the single most effective way to reduce these errors.
Can I use my own car at my Portsmouth driving test?
Yes, if it meets the test-day rules: valid MOT, tax and insurance covering the test, tyre tread at least 1.6 mm, no dashboard warning lights, an extra interior mirror fitted for the examiner, L-plates (D-plates in Wales) front and rear, and no smoking inside. Otherwise your instructor's car is standard. Assumed pass-rate band for Portsmouth: 51%.