Taking your driving test at Barking? Here's everything you need to know about the Barking test centre — the routes, the roads, the pass rate and the faults that catch people out — plus how Wharf Driving School prepares you for all of it.
Barking Test Centre — Quick Facts
The Barking Test Routes
Expect brisk joins onto the A124 Longbridge Road and Ripple Road, fast A13 slip-roads, and the multi-lane Gascoigne Road gyratory before threading the narrow one-way grids near Barking Market.
Routes commonly take in the A13, the A406 North Circular, the A124 Longbridge Road and the A12, with a large multi-lane, multi-exit roundabout right by the centre, the Gascoigne Road, Abbey Road and Ripple Road roundabouts and Longbridge Road.
Common Faults at Barking
Joining the 50mph A13 flow too slowly, and last-second lane changes across the gyratory's solid lines. Use the full slip road and build to 50mph to merge decisively onto the A13 — hesitation is the classic Barking fault. We rehearse manoeuvres around the residential streets around Tanner Street and Thames View (there's no parking at the centre) so nothing surprises you on the day.
Areas We Cover for the Barking Test
We teach learners from across East London who test at Barking:
Barking Test Centre — FAQs
Where is the Barking driving test centre?
It's 84 Tanner Street, Barking (IG11 8QF). The nearest station is Barking (District, Hammersmith & City & c2c), and residential roads around Tanner Street.
What is the pass rate at Barking?
The Barking pass rate is around 44%, close to the London average. Use the full slip road and build to 50mph to merge decisively onto the A13 — hesitation is the classic Barking fault.
What roads are on the Barking test routes?
Routes commonly use the A13, the A406 North Circular, the A124 Longbridge Road and the A12, and expect brisk joins onto the A124 Longbridge Road and Ripple Road, fast A13 slip-roads, and the multi-lane Gascoigne Road gyratory before threading the narrow one-way grids near Barking Market.
What's the most common fault at Barking?
Joining the 50mph A13 flow too slowly, and last-second lane changes across the gyratory's solid lines. We focus your lessons on exactly this, with manoeuvre practice around the residential streets around Tanner Street and Thames View (there's no parking at the centre).
Do you teach the Barking test routes?
Yes — we run lessons on the Barking routes every week and will rehearse them with you until they feel routine. We cover West Ham, Newham, Plaistow, Barking, Upton Park and Canning Town and more.
Reviewed and updated June 2026 by the Wharf Driving School team.