Mon - Sat 8am - 6pm 0330 223 2127
Practical test centre in Alness
Alness sits on the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands, roughly half an hour north of Inverness along the A9, and its test centre draws candidates from a fairly wide catchment given how rural the surrounding area is. Learners travelling in from Invergordon and Tain are common, since both are closer to Alness than to Inverness for a test slot, and the drive between them gives a useful preview of the kind of open, faster roads the local test routes use. Because the Highlands stretch is longer than a city commute, an LPOD Academy intensive course based here usually builds in extra time on sustained A-road driving and overtaking judgement, skills that matter more on this route than tight urban manoeuvring does. From 12 May 2026, DVSA requires candidates to book and manage their own practical test directly, which is worth doing as soon as your course dates are agreed.
- 4.9★ Rating (159 Reviews)
- 2,300+ Students Trained
- DVSA-Approved ADI Instructors
- Test Date Support, Not Just Lessons
Practical Test Centre Address
The Alness driving test centre is at 15 Riverside Drive, Alness, IV17 0PY. The site has parking for candidates, accessible toilets, and wheelchair access into the building, and in addition to practical driving tests, theory tests are also administered here, which is unusual for a centre this size. Because Alness is a smaller, rural site, waiting areas are limited, so arrive close to your appointment rather than long before it. If you are on an LPOD Academy course, your instructor will likely use the final session to drive Riverside Drive itself so the last turn into the centre is not a surprise on the day.
How to Reach Alness Test Centre Test Centre
Head north from Inverness on the A9, a route that takes around thirty minutes and passes through open Highland scenery for most of the way; stay on the A9 until the signposted B817 turning towards Alness, then follow that road into town. Rail travellers can catch a service from Inverness Railway Station, a journey that runs through similarly scenic country before reaching Alness itself, and Stagecoach buses offer a more flexible alternative if train times do not suit your test slot. As you approach the town, Cromarty Bridge is a helpful landmark to confirm you are on the right stretch of road, and the Fyrish Monument on the hillside above Alness is visible from several angles if you want a second point of reference. Highland weather can turn quickly, particularly in winter, so check the forecast before setting off and allow more time than the mileage alone suggests if conditions look uncertain. Parking near the town centre is generally straightforward once you arrive, which is one advantage of testing at a smaller, rural site rather than a busy city one.
The A9 and the B817 make up the backbone of most test routes run from Alness, so candidates need to be comfortable with sustained higher-speed driving, safe overtaking where it is permitted, and judging distances on open roads without the constant reference points a town centre provides. An LPOD Academy intensive course built around this centre reflects that balance, putting real hours into A-road driving rather than concentrating on roundabouts a learner will rarely meet on the actual test. Course packages range from shorter options for confident learners to longer Gold 40 and Platinum 50 courses for those needing more foundational practice, each secured with a deposit rather than the full fee, and our guide to theory test costs and how to pay is useful if you have not booked that stage yet.
On test day, arrive at Riverside Drive with your provisional licence and allow extra time if the weather has turned, since delays on the A9 are common in poor conditions. Since 12 May 2026, only the candidate can book or amend a DVSA practical test, so once your date is fixed, keep the confirmation details somewhere safe.
Page reviewed and updated 17 July 2026.
View All Practical Test Centre Pages Here
Why Book With LPOD Academy?
Can LPOD book my practical test at this centre for me?
No. Since 12 May 2026, only you can book, change or manage your DVSA practical test. LPOD provides test date support instead: centre and timing guidance as standard, plus an optional Test Alerts + Booking Strategy add-on (£50) if you’d like us actively watching for earlier dates and helping you plan around them.
Which course should I choose before my test?
It depends on your experience. Complete beginners usually start with a Gold or Platinum course, while learners who have already had lessons or sat a test before often suit a Silver or Bronze course. Try our course recommendation tool for a personal suggestion.
Are LPOD instructors qualified?
Yes. Every LPOD instructor is a DVSA-approved ADI, paid full market rates, so you get a properly qualified instructor rather than the cheapest bidder.
Book Intensive Driving Lessons Here
Looking to take your test here? Book intensive driving courses in Alness with LPOD Academy.
Book Intensive Courses in Alness →