Have you got a driving test in Warrington coming up? If so, we’ve created a guide with everything you need to know about the test centre, so you can feel confident on test day.
Why choose the Warrington test centre?
The Warrington test centre is based at Orford Day Centre on Festival Avenue, just north of Warrington town centre, making it a popular option for learners across Warrington, Widnes, Runcorn, St Helens, Birchwood, Winwick, and the wider Cheshire area.
It’s a great choice for learners who want a test centre with a realistic mix of road types, as it tests your driving in everyday situations, from quieter residential roads around Orford and Longford to busier routes leading towards the A49, A57, and Warrington town centre.
It’s also close to a range of road layouts, which means your test will cover the kind of driving you’ll need after you pass.
Warrington test centre address and contact info
Here is all of the address and contact information for the Warrington test centre so you can get to grips with where to find it on the day.
Address
Warrington Borough Council Orford Day Centre
Festival Ave
Warrington
Cheshire
WA2 9EP
Phone number
0300 200 1122
This is the DVSA driving test booking number, rather than a direct line to the Warrington test centre.
Parking and accessibility
Public parking is available at the test centre.
Just arrive in good time and follow any DVSA signs or instructions on the day.
Toilets
Both male and female toilets are available at the test centre.
Pass rates and difficulty
Warrington’s recent pass rate has been reported at around the mid-50% mark for 2024-2025.
That puts the Warrington test centre in a high position compared with many UK test centres. However, just remember that whether you pass on the day depends on many factors, including your own readiness, confidence, and how well your instructor is suited to your needs.
While any test comes with its challenges, such as busy school traffic, parked cars, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, and regular changes in speed limits, practising in the area with your instructor will make a world of difference.
At Ashley Neal, we know how much local confidence matters when you’re preparing for your driving test. If you’re particularly anxious, we also offer tailored lessons for nervous drivers.
Warrington test centre route
The DVSA no longer publishes official driving test routes, so there isn’t one fixed route you can memorise before your test.
However, there are YouTube videos you can watch that will show you the possible routes your examiner will take you on, based on past exams. From the Warrington test centre, routes may include roads around Orford, Longford, Winwick, Padgate, Bewsey, Fearnhead, and Warrington town centre.
You may also encounter busier A roads, larger roundabouts, residential streets with parked vehicles, pedestrian-heavy areas, and roads with varying speed limits. The examiner isn’t looking for you to know Warrington perfectly; they just want to see that you can drive safely, make sensible decisions, and respond properly to the road ahead.
Practising locally with Ashley Neal can help you get used to the areas that commonly challenge learners, from roundabouts to meeting traffic and junction observations.
How to get there
The Warrington test centre is located on Festival Avenue in Orford.
If you’re travelling by car, it’s easiest to take the A49 and A57 route. If you’re using a sat nav, enter WA2 9EP and allow extra time in case of traffic, as Warrington can get busy during the morning and afternoon school run.
Warrington Central is the nearest main train station, and Warrington Interchange is the main local bus station. You can get the 20 or 21 bus from Warrington Interchange.
If you’re not arriving with your driving instructor, check your public transport route beforehand, so you’re not rushing.
Tests offered at Warrington Test Centre
- Car practical driving tests
- ADI Part 3 tests
ADI Part 3 tests assess trainee driving instructors on their instructional ability.
What to expect on test day
On the day of your test, aim to arrive at the Warrington test centre around 10 to 15 minutes early.
You’ll need to bring your UK driving licence. If you have your theory test pass certificate, it’s sensible to bring that too, although the examiner can usually check your theory pass details.
If you’ve arrived with your instructor, they’ll park up while you prepare for the test.
Once your test begins, the examiner will:
- Check your licence and confirm your details.
- Get you to do an eyesight test by reading a number plate from 20 metres away.
- Ask a vehicle safety “tell me” question before you start driving.
- Ask one “show me” question while you’re driving, such as showing how you would wash the windscreen or use the demister.
- Guide you through a period of driving during which you’ll be assessed on your control, awareness, judgement, and ability to deal with everyday traffic situations.
- Ask you to complete one manoeuvre, such as bay parking, parallel parking, pulling up on the right and reversing, or forward bay-parking.
- Ask you to do around 20 minutes of independent driving, following road signs, verbal directions, a sat nav, or a combination of these.
Once the test is over, you’ll return to the Warrington test centre, where the examiner will tell you whether you’ve passed and let you know any faults you made.
If something doesn’t go to plan, just stay calm, re-assess the situation, and continue on with confidence.