It’s the question we get asked in the car literally every single week.
"Tarek, I've heard the pass rate at South Yardley is better, should I book there?" or "My mate failed at Kingstanding because of that double roundabout, is it really that bad?"
Choosing where to take your test in Birmingham feels like a massive decision. And honestly? It kind of is. Birmingham is a tough place to learn to drive. We don't have the nice quiet country lanes of Warwickshire; we’ve got the Ring Road, the buses, and drivers who seem to think indicators are an optional extra.
But when it comes to the big showdown—Kingstanding vs. South Yardley—there isn't actually a "magic" answer. One isn't necessarily easier than the other, they are just different.
At Newbie Driving School, we cover both areas daily. So, let’s look at what you’re actually signing up for with each one.
The Case for Kingstanding (The "Hilly" One)
Kingstanding has a bit of a reputation. Some learners avoid it like the plague, others swear by it.
The main thing you need to know about Kingstanding is the hills. If your clutch control is a bit shaky or you panic on hill starts, this might not be your venue. You’ve got roads around the Bird’s Bush area that can catch you out if you aren't ready to find that biting point quickly.
The Tricky Bits: Everyone talks about the "Parson and Clerk" roundabout. To be fair, the road markings are better than they used to be, but it's still busy. You'll also likely end up on the A34 or the A452 Chester Road. These are fast dual carriageways.
If you like building up speed and making progress, Kingstanding is great. The roads generally feel a bit wider than Yardley. But you have to watch your speed limits—it's easy to creep over 30mph when the road opens up coming down a hill.
Who is it for? If you are confident with gears and clutch control but hate tight, squeezed residential streets, pick Kingstanding.
The Case for South Yardley (The "Busy" One)
South Yardley test centre is right on the Clay Lane, literally a stone's throw from the A45 Coventry Road.
The biggest fear factor here? The Swan Island.
Now, examiners don't always take you round the big Swan roundabout, but there is always a chance. It’s huge, it’s controlled by traffic lights, and people cut lanes there all the time. It can be intimidating.
But the real challenge with South Yardley isn't the big roundabouts, it’s the small ones. The test routes often take you through Acocks Green or the back roads of Sheldon. These streets are tight. You’ve got parked cars on both sides, meeting situations where you have to give way to oncoming traffic, and loads of mini-roundabouts that seem to appear out of nowhere.
The Tricky Bits: Aside from the Swan, you need to watch out for the Wheatsheaf junction. And keep an eye on the pedestrian crossings near the Tesco; people just step out without looking.
Who is it for? If you have great hazard perception and don't mind stop-start traffic, Yardley is fine. The speeds are generally lower here because of the traffic volume. If you hate fast dual carriageways, you might actually prefer this route.
A "Quick Comparison" Table
So, which one should I pick?
Here is the truth: A good driver can pass at either.
A lot of students try to "game the system" by looking up pass rates. Last time I checked, they were pretty similar (usually hovering around the 38-42% mark for both). Chasing a pass rate is a waste of time. Its about where you feel comfortable.
Ask yourself this:
Do I hate hills? (Avoid Kingstanding)
Do I hate tight roads with parked cars everywhere? (Avoid Yardley)
Where do I live?
Honestly, the best test centre is usually the one closest to where you’ve been learning. If you live in Erdington but book a test in Yardley just because you heard a rumour it’s "easier", you’re shooting yourself in the foot. You won't know the roads, you won't know the tricky junctions, and that adds extra stress you don't need on test day.
Still not sure? Let us help.
At Newbie Driving School, we don't just teach you to drive; we teach you the routes.
Whether you pick Kingstanding or South Yardley, we’ll take you on a mock test that covers the exact tricky spots the examiners use. We’ll show you exactly which lane to be in for the Swan Island, and exactly where the steep hill starts in Kingstanding.
Don't guess. **Book an assessment** lesson with us today, and we'll tell you honestly which centre suits your driving style best. ** Link page to mock tast**
(And yes, we know the shortcuts to avoid the worst traffic!)
