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Practical test centre in Bradford (Thornbury)

The Bradford (Thornbury) test centre serves learners from the north side of the city, though its registered address sits over at Mortec Park on York Road in Leeds, a detail worth knowing before you set the satnav. Candidates travelling in from Bradford or Shipley will recognise Leeds Road and the routes into Thornbury as the backbone of most test routes booked here. Getting comfortable with that stretch before your appointment, rather than on the day itself, is what an intensive course is designed to achieve in a matter of days. Because the centre draws candidates from two different sides of the city, examiners here see a wide range of starting ability, and a short, focused block of lessons tends to close that gap faster than spreading the same hours over several months of once-a-week driving.

Practical Test Centre Address

Address on record: Mortec Park, York Road, Leeds, LS15 4TA. The centre provides toilets and parking facilities, plus disabled access for candidates who need it. Both car and motorcycle tests are offered here, which is worth checking against your own test booking confirmation since the two categories run different routes. Provisional licence in hand and test confirmation printed or saved to your phone are the two essentials to bring; nothing else is required beyond arriving in good time. Remember too that since 12 May 2026, DVSA no longer allows anyone but the candidate to book or manage their own practical test slot, so any rescheduling has to come from you directly. If you wear glasses or contact lenses for driving, bring them along, since the examiner checks your number plate reading distance before the test starts.

How To Get To Bradford (Thornbury) Test Centre

By car, the M62 is the usual approach, with Junction 26 the exit to aim for before joining the A638 into Bradford. As Thornbury comes into view, Bradford Moor Golf Club acts as a handy landmark confirming you’re nearly there. Public transport works just as well: a train to Bradford Interchange followed by local bus 670 or 620 will carry you the rest of the way, running along Leeds Road, one of the main roads examiners use on test routes from this centre.

Anyone walking or cycling the last stretch will find pavements and cycle provision along Leeds Road itself, with the Thornbury Centre serving as the area’s community hub and another useful point of reference. Taxis from central Bradford are straightforward if a little pricier than the bus, and worth booking ahead during busy periods. Whichever way you travel, check timetables and road conditions before setting off, particularly around peak hours when Leeds Road can back up.

Because Leeds Road and the A638 corridor feature heavily on routes from this centre, roundabouts, bus lanes, and the kind of stop-start traffic typical of an inner-ring road are all fair game on test day. A Gold 35 intensive course gives learners enough hours to drill these conditions repeatedly rather than hoping for the best on one or two lessons a week. If your test date is already close, our guide on getting a cancellation test slot covers how to bring that date forward.

Whichever route you take on the day, allow more time than the journey strictly needs. DVSA treats lateness as a failed attempt with no refund, and rescheduling a missed slot can mean a wait of several weeks depending on demand in the Bradford area. Candidates who arrive calm and with a few minutes spare tend to perform noticeably better in the opening minutes of the test than those who rush in at the last second. Morning test slots here tend to run calmer than afternoon ones, when local traffic along Leeds Road picks up with school pick-up and shop deliveries, so it is worth requesting whichever time suits your own concentration best when you book. Sticking with the same instructor for the lessons immediately before your test, rather than switching partway through, also helps, since familiarity with how you drive lets them target the specific habits an examiner here is likely to flag rather than starting from scratch each session. Bring warm layers if your test falls in winter, since the wait before your name is called can mean standing outside the centre longer than expected.

Page reviewed and updated 17 July 2026.

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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.

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