Swap your driving test at Chadderton
Somebody holding a Chadderton slot wants a date they can't get. Somebody else wants theirs. DVSA will swap the two of you over the phone. They just won't introduce you.
46.8% of car tests at Chadderton end in a pass, 3.2 points below the national average of 50%. Within North-west England it ranks 24th of 34. It is also one of the busiest centres in the country, putting roughly 307 car tests through every week, which means a lot of learners holding a Chadderton slot at any one time.
Which way the board is moving
Pass rate at Chadderton
Below averageWhere a swap could take you
| Centre | Distance | Pass rate vs here |
|---|---|---|
| Cheetham Hill (Manchester) | about 5 miles | 44.7% -2.1 |
| Bury (Manchester) | about 8 miles | 46.3% same |
| Rochdale (Manchester) | about 8 miles | 48.3% +1.5 |
| Bredbury (Manchester) | about 10 miles | 56% +9.2 |
Slots listed at Chadderton
What is on the board right now. Every one belongs to a real learner.
Centres you can swap with from Chadderton
DVSA only allows a swap where both tests are at the same centre, or within each other's three nearest. That last word matters: a centre counts if it is one of Chadderton's three nearest or if Chadderton is one of its three. Everywhere not on this list is off the table however keen you both are. The list and distances below are DVSA's own published ones (driving distance, avoiding motorways).
| Centre | Distance | On the board |
|---|---|---|
| Cheetham Hill (Manchester) | about 5 miles | 0 |
| Bury (Manchester) | about 8 miles | 0 |
| Rochdale (Manchester) | about 8 miles | 0 |
| Bredbury (Manchester) | about 10 miles | 0 |
The four rules, applied here
You both need a change left
Two changes per car test, and a swap spends one of them.
10 working days' notice
To whichever of the two tests is first. Sundays and bank holidays do not count.
Centres near each other
Chadderton's own three nearest are Cheetham Hill (Manchester), Rochdale (Manchester), Bury (Manchester). The rule works both ways, so Bredbury (Manchester) also qualifies because Chadderton is among its three nearest.
Same test type
Weekday with weekday; evening and weekend tests only with each other.
Chadderton test routes on video
Examiners at Chadderton work from a set of local routes, and instructors film them. Watching the junctions and roundabouts before test day is the cheapest practice there is, whether you end up swapping or not.
Find Chadderton route videos
Swapping at Chadderton: questions
Can I swap a test at Chadderton for one at another centre?
Only if the other centre is the same one, or within each other's three nearest. That works in both directions. From Chadderton the full list is Cheetham Hill (Manchester), Bury (Manchester), Rochdale (Manchester), Bredbury (Manchester). Anywhere else would be refused on the call.
What is the pass rate at Chadderton?
46.8% of car tests at Chadderton ended in a pass between April 2025 and March 2026, from 15,988 tests. The national average over the same period was 50%, so Chadderton is 3.2 points below it, ranking 246th of 314 centres in Great Britain. These are DVSA's own published figures and they describe the centre, not you.
Which nearby centre has a better pass rate than Chadderton?
Of the centres you can legally move a Chadderton test to, Bredbury (Manchester) has the highest pass rate at 56%, against 46.8% here. That is a difference in the centre, not a promise about your test, and a swap has to suit the other learner too.
How long does it take to find a swap at Chadderton?
It depends on how many learners hold a slot here and whether any want the opposite of what you want. DVSA runs about 307 car tests a week at Chadderton, so the pool of people holding a slot is large. The live count is at the top of this page, and a three-way chain often resolves it faster than waiting for a perfect pair.
Does swapping at Chadderton cost anything?
No. You exchange slots rather than rebooking, so you keep your original booking reference and payment. Matching here is free, and DVSA does the swap on the phone at no charge.
How much notice do I need?
At least 10 working days before whichever of the two tests comes first. Sundays and bank holidays do not count towards that, so the real deadline is earlier than the calendar suggests.
Can my instructor arrange it for me?
No. Since 12 May 2026 only the learner taking the test can book or manage it, and it is against the law for anyone to book a car test for someone else. Your instructor can sit with you while you call.
Your Chadderton date is somebody's dream date
Somewhere there is a learner holding the slot you want, who wants the one you are stuck with. Put yours on the board and we will find them, then email you the moment they appear. Free, no card, no fee if it works.