Driving Instructor Takes a Test at ERITH, UK's 2nd WORST Centre

Erith driving test centre is the UK's 2nd worst place to take a driving test, only beaten by Liverpool. Driving instructor Francis Noakes takes a mock test.
Watch as driving instructor Francis Noakes takes a mock test at one of the UK's worst driving test centers in Erith, London.
In this video, you'll witness Francis navigating through the challenging roads of Erith and sharing his tips and tricks for passing the driving test. If you're preparing for your own test, this video is a must-watch for insights on how to tackle difficult driving situations and achieve success on your test day!
#erith #drivingtest

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

NOTIFICATION SQUAD: What did you think of Erith? I spoke to another examiner off camera who was equally friendly and even cracked a joke! Big up Roger 🙌

[@demophys4883]

I find this video very confusing. You are or aren't supposed to signal before cutting back in front of the bus at around the 8:00 mark? Why or why not? And it's OK to go over the speed limit?

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

All good questions! I’ve talked a lot about not signalling to overtake parked buses on TikTok, check out those vids, but in this case we’re changing lanes, so always signal. You won’t fail if you go slightly over the speed limit by 1 or 2 mph, by accident, if you realise and bring it straight back down again 😊

[@MissXeniaChan]

Took my test twice at Erith, the first examiner horrified me as the examiner was very dramatic when on the road, made tutting noises, kept looking through the back window as if the car behind was about to hit us. The examiner was also very strict on small roundabouts, you can’t go on the paint over roundsabouts even it’s a very tight turn to exit.

[@ashishnitj]

@@MissXeniaChan Thanks for sharing you experience. Could you please tell me which round about what that with tight turn. It might help other. Also if possible what route your were taken to for your test.

[@julianafortunato7303]

Francis I passed my test with another instructor in Hither Green on my first attempt, and your videos were crucial to my success. Thank you so much for the content and for making it so light and fun to watch. Highly appreciated ❤❤❤❤

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Congrats on passing!! And thanks for watching ☺️ glad I could be a little part of that pass 👌

[@trippy_boxer_dog2170]

the vibe with you two are simply amazing.

[@thecasualgamer9963]

Had my test here a couple days ago and passed. I can tell by her voice thats the examiner who went out with me. Lovely woman who just chat with me the whole time. The test centers not great but the people are.

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Love that! She was SO nice to us!!

[@Hypnos998]

The opportunity to say "42" when he asked her the meaning of life 😭

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

08:46 no centre mirror and right mirror checks for the 2 lanes merging into 1..sorry Francis! 😁 Keep up the great work! 🙃

[@christiannwando359]

Thanks for the video I passed my test first time on Friday your tips were really helpful

[@BALHAM69]

We are very lucky to have Francis, admin. Interesting this video was made on 19th this month 😮 Happy early birthday to Eva.😊 9:14 every young person’s worst nightmare; a break down. 😢 11:59 a polite question from Francis and a unexpected answer from Eva.😂 i need a good perfect drive to pass a mitcham driving test in summer 2024. 😮 21:23 true. Don’t be stressing 32:13 Francis has his stories as a driving instructor.

[@delphihaze1317]

Francis was on fine form today. The sunflower joke was ridiculous,and your response to the ambulance was so funny. One of the key aspects of being a good driver is the ability to carry out manoeuvres quickly and safely,which Francis demonstrated with his usual super-cool efficiency. Most of these other driving videos are so stuffy and seem to drag on,so it's good to have a more fun take on it.

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Hah thank you Delphi! If there’s one thing I aspire not to be it’s stuffy 😄

[@delphihaze1317]

As per,making driving a fun learning experience.

[@Jiggy_Scotland]

To start I just have to say you are a legend my friend. Would love to have you as my driving instructor. I've re booked my test for the 17th of may gives me time to get more lessons in. The test center I'm doing my test at is the hardest In Scotland. Anniesland. Fingers crossed I pass the second time

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Haha thank you ☺️ I’d love to be your instructor too! What’s it like driving in Scotland? Snowy??

[@goodmorning-pf2se]

I am having my test next week at this centre. I'm so screwed, especially with all those potholes

[@Jiggy_Scotland]

Yeah it's murder for the pot holes in the test route. Creates more stress trying to avoid them

[@Ahd-z3c]

Nice driving and conversation 👌

[@wrightwoodwork]

When I did my test the examiner was marking things in thier sheet .I honestly thought that meant I had done something correct. Then after the emergency stop. They stopped marking and I was thinking I've failed. So I just classed it as another driving lesson and just went through the steps as when I did my lessons. Then got asked a couple of questions then got told I'd pass first. Mock tests didn't exist. The thing is treat it as another drive make the examiner feel safe and you are halfway there

[@Cazling82]

😂i love this that other way around happy early birthday 🎂 Eva when been driving am so tightly on the wheel its crazy 😬am gonna be learning about traffic lights next lesson and ive got my theory, test the next week 😅

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

So sorry this is 2 days late, I’ve only just remembered, Happy Birthday Eva for February 2nd, I hope you had a lovely day! ☺️ 🎁

[@Thechilledcoffee]

Did my test here and failed… passed last year in Belvedere on my second attempt arguably as bad as you cover Erith quite a bit through out your test!

[@1024sofia]

Francis, when u get the opportunity to, u should come to Liverpool and take that mock test in speke or norris green!😅

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Hah yes! I’m actually planning to 😅 gotta check out why it’s the worst centre in the UK!!

[@feeks4981]

Driving test tomorrow.. this eased my nerves I’ll come back and update if I passed

[@michaelxia1717]

damm… seems you didn’t pass.

[@feeks4981]

@ i didnt 💔💔💔💔

[@ari3085f]

@@feeks4981good luck for your next attempt 🫶🏾

[@Neda..]

Thank you so much for doing this test for Erith . My driving test is in Erith in March

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Good luck with it hope you have one of the lovely examiners I talked to ☺️

[@dominion4693]

Good luck on your test

[@Neda..]

@dominion4693 Thank you very much, I will give my best on the day and see what happens

[@Neda..]

@DrivingSchoolTV Thank you, I will give my best on the day and see what happens, I am not going to change my driving test centre just because of the low passing rate.

[@TheInfamousVanny]

How did you do mate?

[@alisont308]

I took my test at Dudley in the West Midlands and 47% pass rate, apparently Wolverhampton test centre is worse with 33.8%. My instructor said the examiners are a really friendly bunch at Dudley and mine really was thankfully.

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Buuuuuuttttt did you pass??

[@alisont308]

@@DrivingSchoolTV Indeed I did with 3 minors, examiner said how calm I was and he was so chatty and friendly, test went by so quickly and we even had a few jokes!

[@Putri-nl2gg]

From watching this I feel like Colchester is harder to pass due to the dodgy roundabouts that push you into the wrong lane and the magic roundabout but could be wrong as I’ve never driven in Erith

[@drewscott2753]

Failed mine on Thursday with a stupid mistake. Thought I was in 1st gear and was in 3rd. 3 stalls and forgot to check the gear I was in. 1 serious fault and zero driver faults. 1 bad gear change away from a perfect drive. 🤦‍♂️😂

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Ugggghhhh no way. Let that give you motivation for the next one! If you can do that well and only fail on a silly mistake you’ll nail it. Hope you can get another test soon! 🤞

[@MissXeniaChan]

I wish you did this before my test! Haha passed recently at Erith with 3 minors.

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Ahh congrats!! How did you find the route? And the examiners!

[@JoshLuck95]

Booked in for test at Sidcup in March. My instructor doesnt like erith test route and some of the examiners

[@spacejazz6272]

hey I passed at Erith! it took me two attempts. I don't think the area is all that bad to drive in really, there's just a lot of roundabouts and the road markings aren't always clear so it's learner kryptonite

[@spacejazz6272]

also in regards to your "switching off at the end of your exam" you're absolutely spot on. right at the end of my exam i did the roundabout you did at 33:09 without indicating because i knew the test centre was just round the corner and i was nearly done. my examiner was not happy and she gave me a right ticking off but luckily still passed me lol

[@matree.5407]

This centre looks really nice. Why on earth is the pass rate so low. This is perplexing.

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Right?? It can’t be the complexity of the roads or really arsey examiners 🤷‍♂️

[@matree.5407]

@@DrivingSchoolTV it's really hard to get a test in London but I didn't choose Erith as I was worried I would fail. Now I wonder if I should chance it as the roads look great!

[@tristv8891]

“Cornish sandwich” I’m done 😂

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

19:21 slight roll back..sorry again Francis! 😁 Keep on doing your thing! 🙃

[@stevekenilworth]

That seems a far more easy test route than what i taken. Mine started at Warwick, we went to Leamington Spa, Kenilworth , Warwick and lots small villages too, lots very tight roads even through castle walls very busy and it involved Duel 70mph limit and having to deal with a tractor at fast busy busy time, single track roads, few very busy town centers loads A roads it covered it all. i passed 1st time tho and my only mistakes were near the end, pulling away with left signal still on, but as pulling into very slow almost stationary traffic and it was very clear the other drivers were letting me out it was safe, other hesitation at a roundabout, should continued but stopped as was car far back and no one behind. start test through a car park through dumped brand new un registered cars they so badly parked so that nerves going, test lasted almost 1 hour 55-58 mins it took so long the other test was waiting o they have easy short test i gather, and all the mess ups happen after the 40mins the test was endless. as was very nervous learning i was ready at 40 hours i was told but i had savings for all learning/car/insurance inc few maintenance stuff i had extra 15-17 hours and before test i upped the hours loads so the driving part i could do without really needing to think about i could focus more on my nerves and by end test stopped at lights looked at my hands they were shacking i was worn out as already done hour driving before test, so the extra 400-600£ was well worth it as i had to pass first time as i knew if i failed id prob have to spend that again prob more to get my nerves back in check and test so close to 1 hour so glad i did as by end my nerves were slowly creeping in, bu i knew i was getting close to test center a few deep breaths at lights told my self not long now do not rush it be all good. it was, and spotting hazards that never issue my teacher said i never missed a thing, the show me question horn but they said that as coming up to test center but traffic stopped me, so on the long drive way to back car park a very light use horn. id never want an test that long again, thought those test reserved for banned drivers re sitting test, some reason i had extended test i don't know if its because bad health i don't no, only thing i hated is reversing i cannot see out back window if i turn around but on test you got to pretend to have look as well using all other mirrors and blind spot checks, even tho the car had those blind spot mirrors what i have on my current car as well. one hour felt like endless test and the roads we went on at times they were challenging and very tight gaps to get through, nothing like this test you shown this one seems easy compared to mine

[@matthewJarvis-l7o]

i passed my test on the 23rd july 2024 in gillingham kent first time passing

[@thomascord1464]

21:29 very true my examiner was tapping away to wake up his screen on his ipad only 2 driver faults 💅🏻

[@ST74UK]

Hey, nice to see Franco ace this one for once! 😄👌 That joke AND his potty mouth should have cost him an 'L' though! 🤣😉 Very entertaining as always and I shall go watch that other video with Eva. Her emergency stop shout made me laugh! I think it was both of your reactions as well! 😂Btw@you two - What's your ethnic make-up if you don't mind my asking? Are you both mixed race like myself (half Bajan/half White)?

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Haha thanks Steveo! haha apologies for all the F bombs 👀 (kinda...) Yah im mixed race too 😊

[@ST74UK]

I turn the air blue myself so don't worry. Just hope you don't get any 'Karen's' on your case 😏Shout out to the mixed heritage squad! 😎 ✌

[@bluebird1109]

Speke in Liverpool has a pass rate of 30.3%, and the other Merseyside one's barely much more. So difficult to pass your test there.

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Yes!! Speke in Liverpool is the only test centre in the uk with a worse pass rate than Erith. Have you been?

[@LR-wp7of]

@@DrivingSchoolTV My test centre was Norris Green but the examiner was from Speke (weekend test so was doing overtime). He said the pass rate is so low as most people coming for tests had hardly had any lessons and would come from all over the country as they have more availability. Most people had only been driving with family and friend’s so not driving to test standard. He used to be an instructor as well, he was the perfect examiner! Made me so comfortable and really friendly. Even kept reminding me to have some water when we pulled over!

[@bluebird1109]

@@DrivingSchoolTV I haven't, but it is one of my options once I'm at test standard, a few more lessons yet. Thanks for uploading your videos, I'm finding them really helpful 🙂

[@1024sofia]

thats unfortunate seeing as thats my local test centre lol

[@Yveness]

The dual carriage ways are ok but it's the chopping and changing of speed e.g 50 to 30 to 20 plus the roundabouts. I'd get lost 😂

[@Jiggy_Scotland]

Hasn't been snowing much. When it does it ends up raining and the snows gone within a day.

[@venomousrage162]

Loving the Abbey Wood slander

[@jalalhaider83]

Sir i failed today mine first attempt with few minors but one serious and which i never experienced before, there was a two way road end was controlled by traffic lights, few parked cars after which there was a huge queue, so those parked cars got me thinking the queue is basically parked cars so i moved towards the oncoming traffic road, though nothing was on coming but when i stopped to analyzing my examiner who was nice calm said stop stop stop i realized thats the end but donno if thats how the pressure of first time experiencing an exam or what or may be i was just driving, i did roundabouts fine, speed fine but that one took my success away, would you make a video on such conditions where traffic is narrow parked cars queue and everything 😢

[@Jade_Deja]

Yeah, it's easy with none on the road... now go back at rush hour😂😂

[@delphihaze1317]

Also, Eva would make a brilliant examiner,but she probably doesn't want to venture to the darkside. Perhaps she could become an instructor, then join DS TV. Just a suggestion.

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Eva would make a fantastic instructor ☺️

[@LynxLuvsU]

Weird, I tested at Erith 6 years ago and passed first time. I chose it because it was the closest to my house lol 😅

[@jansz4452]

Need to watch out at 10 to 12 am in erith for Amazon delivery drivers, will cause traffic and drive like hooligans

[@rosiecraddockxo6088]

I took my test last week at Erith! Passed with 1 driving fault… I actually loved the Erith routes even tho it’s the second worst in the country 😂

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Omg congrats!! What was your examiner like? Mega friendly like the lady who spoke to us?

[@rosiecraddockxo6088]

@@DrivingSchoolTV ahh!! it was the same woman who spoke to you! She was AMAZING, made me feel so calm and was like I was with a friend!

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

@@rosiecraddockxo6088 aww amazing that’s so lucky she was lovely 🤩 I wish I caught her name!

[@rosiecraddockxo6088]

@@DrivingSchoolTV me too! I completely forgot her name aswell!

[@hassannaveed368]

07:14 did she really said “whats cruise control?“💀

[@milesbashford7765]

Love video

[@okorozaha9350]

Tbh I think my examiner was nice, I passed on the 11th of January 2024, with 4 faults. The examiners are just nice, once you do the right things you’ll pass. Ps: I did all within my power to change my center (Erith ) to Sidcup but it didn’t happen, I grudgingly did the Erith.

[@ashishnitj]

Do you remember the test route and tricky bit & traps where one would need more focus & concentration?

[@samuelfawdry6411]

my birthday is 2nd February too

[@Neda..]

This is one out of 60 routes in Erith 😂

[@TheBazzaboy09]

Is that motorbike route also

[@njsx1003]

I need to see more Laura ☹️😆

[@Budzie]

Test here on monday 😢😅

[@leahb483]

How did it go?

[@Budzie]

@leahb483 passed with 1 minor

[@leahb483]

@@Budzieomgg well done! Did you practice there as well, I’ve got a test in two weeks there but haven’t been practicing there so I’m quite worried

[@Budzie]

@leahb483 thanks, I live in the area so yeah lots of practise around here, I would 100% come and practise some... The pass rate is so low because the roads and road markings can be confusing / bad condition so practise will really help.

[@leahb483]

@@Budzie ok I’ll try and get some done…Or change my test date 🤣. Thank you!

[@Vlad13]

Hello, just wondering would you be willing to come to the Southampton driving test centre? I have my test coming up soon and I could use a helping hand.

[@Neda..]

My driving test is in Belvedere in 4 weeks time

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Oooh how are you feeling? Hope you’re excited!

[@Neda..]

@DrivingSchoolTV I saw yout other videos advancing different methods to stay calm and they are very helpful, I thinking of my driving test not as a test but as an opportunity to show to the examiner I can drive safely.

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

@@Neda.. yesss!! So good! Let me know if I can help more 🤞

[@Bulletproof..]

I have test tommorow there

[@ashishgarg5167]

How did your test go? Any tips or suggestions

[@davidkitts7275]

I’m sure this guy is a good instructor but this should be how not to take your test he’s doing so much at 100 miles an hour if a learner did this during there test no doubt they will fail

[@davidkitts7275]

In my opinion you did the overtake with the bus too quickly there no chance you checked centre right and centre left enough to see if cyclists or pedestrians at most you may have glanced a learner should not do that during your test

[@TheInfamousVanny]

With Eva you pass, with Aman you fail 😂

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

@@TheInfamousVanny 😂 Aman is a scary examiner she made me nervous lol

[@Neda..]

I am from Abbey Wood, Abbey Wood is fine 😂

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

Yes!! Local knowledge 😃 what’s the best thing about Abbey Wood?

[@Neda..]

@@DrivingSchoolTV the best thing about Abbey Wood is Elizabeth line 😅

[@DrivingSchoolTV]

@@Neda.. thought you were gonna say leaving… 😉😅

[@aya9489]

I'm passing my test there in 2 days. If I pass 1st time it'll be a miracle XD

[@ashishnitj]

Was it in Erith London? Could you please share your test route?

[@aya9489]

@@ashishnitj I could but there are like 4 or 5 different ones. Failed it twice. Did 2 different routes and will most likely do a 3rd different one end of August 😅😅😅

[@MI57Y]

@@aya9489good luck