Burgess Hill Driving Test routes
Burgess Hill has a higher pass rate than Crawley, but it is a longer way to drive for practice. This is the reason some Horsham learner drivers choose this test centre.
Burgess Hill v Crawley pass rates
Official DVSA test figures for the latest reporting year (April 2025 to March 2026). The gap between the two test centres is 2.75 percentage points.
Burgess Hill
5,111 passes conducted from 11,237 practical driving tests taken.
Crawley
4,831 passes conducted from 11,305 practical driving tests taken.
Pass rate history over recent years
DVSA annual statistics| Reporting year | Burgess Hill | Crawley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 44.30% | 36.52% | +7.78% |
| 2024–25 | 43.20% | 40.10% | +3.10% |
| 2025–26 | 45.48% | 42.73% | +2.75% |
Note that pass rates change each year and other websites quote different figures because they use different years.
Source: DVSA figures as published by The Driving Instructor Directory: Burgess Hill centre data and Crawley centre data.
Why some Horsham learners choose Burgess Hill
The higher pass rate and shorter wait for a test are why some Horsham learners choose Burgess Hill.
When test booking slots at Crawley become congested, learners often look around Sussex for alternative test centres with earlier availability or perceived advantages in road layout and statistical pass rates.
Higher official pass rate
Burgess Hill recorded 45.48% versus Crawley's 42.73% in 2025–26, giving a 2.75 percentage point difference.
Shorter test waiting time
Average waiting time was 12.1 weeks at Burgess Hill compared to 17.8 weeks at Crawley (September 2026).
The long drive from Horsham
Burgess Hill is about 22 miles from Horsham (22 to 24 miles depending on where you start), so a 44-mile round trip that takes about an hour to get there and back.
Unless you have a parent who is willing to take you to Burgess Hill a lot to practise before you test, the owner doesn't actually recommend it.
Compare that with Crawley, which is just 6 to 8 miles from Horsham versus 22 to 24 miles.
Horsham practice comparison: Crawley v Burgess Hill
| Factor | Crawley (Recommended) | Burgess Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Horsham | 6 to 8 miles | 22 to 24 miles Burgess Hill is a ~44-mile round trip taking roughly an hour just in travel time. |
| Practice time needed | About 8 hours to learn and drive all 18 Crawley test routes on this site | About 20 hours because of the long drive there and back Extra 12 hours of practice just to reach and cover the Burgess Hill routes. |
| Lesson length needed | 1-hour or 90-minute lessons easily cover test routes | 2-hour lesson minimum just to get to the test area, drive, and get back Shorter lessons simply do not work with a 45–60 minute round trip. |
| Everyday driving after test | You will drive around Crawley weekly if not daily for shopping and friends | Unlikely you will ever drive around Burgess Hill again after passing We teach safer driving for life on roads you will actually use. |
Is an extra 12 hours of practice worth a 2.75% difference?
It takes about 8 hours to learn and drive all 18 Crawley test routes on this site. For Burgess Hill test routes, it takes about 20 hours because of the long drive there and back.
That extra 12 hours of practice is unlikely to be worth a pass-rate difference of 2.75 percentage points.
Also think about the extra time, petrol cost and wear and tear on your car. If you take an ADI instructor you are going to be paying a lot more, so there is less cost for parents and pupils by sticking with Crawley.
Why we recommend Crawley
It is your choice of course, but the owner doubts you will ever drive around Burgess Hill again after your test.
You will most likely drive around Crawley with friends or shopping on a weekly if not daily basis.
“We are trying to teach safer driving for life, not just to pass the test.”
While he is providing the test routes and more details, he recommends focusing on the Crawley test centre and passing your test in Crawley.
Burgess Hill test route
The map shows an example route from the test centre that you can follow to get to know the roads.
The GPX download is done directly from the Plotaroute page. A GPX file works in dedicated sat navs, smartphone mapping apps and GPS watches, allowing you or your supervising parent to follow the turn-by-turn route during private practice.
Please note: The DVSA does not publish current driving test routes. This is an example practice route to help you learn the Burgess Hill area and surrounding road layouts.
Continue your test preparation
Whether you ultimately choose Crawley or Burgess Hill for your practical driving test, solid road craft, independent driving ability and hazard perception are what pass the test.
Explore our Crawley driving test routes and our full free driving course for in-depth guides, videos and test tips.
Explore 18 practice test routes around Crawley and Horsham, with map previews and video guides.
Follow our 34 structured online driving lessons covering all essential skills from car controls to practical test readiness.
Detailed guide and instructor video on tackling the key roundabout right next to the Crawley test centre.
Learn how to choose your lane and follow spiral markings on Crawley's most famous multi-lane roundabout.
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