Picking the right test centre in Brisbane can give you a meaningful edge on your Q-SAFE practical driving test. With pass rates across Brisbane TMR centres ranging from 53% to 76%, the difference between your best and worst option could be substantial. This guide examines the data and local knowledge to help you choose wisely.
Brisbane Test Centre Pass Rates at a Glance
The following pass rate data is based on an analysis of over 30,450 driving tests conducted between January 2022 and December 2023. The Queensland state average is 61%, just below the national average of 62%.
Highest Pass Rate Centres
| Rank | Test Centre | Pass Rate | vs QLD Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland TMR | 76% | +15% |
| 2 | Logan City (Site 2) Driver Assessment Centre | 70% | +9% |
| 3 | Wynnum TMR | 68% | +7% |
| 4 | Sherwood TMR | 67% | +6% |
| 5 | Logan TMR | 65% | +4% |
Lowest Pass Rate Centres
| Rank | Test Centre | Pass Rate | vs QLD Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caboolture TMR | 53% | -8% |
| 2 | Strathpine TMR | 54% | -7% |
| 3 | Carseldine TMR | 54% | -7% |
| 4 | Zillmere TMR | 54% | -7% |
| 5 | Toowong TMR | 59% | -2% |
The 23-percentage-point gap between Cleveland (76%) and Caboolture (53%) is significant. Choosing the right centre could meaningfully improve your odds, provided you prepare properly for that specific location.
Regional Pattern: South and East Outperform the North
A clear geographic trend emerges from the data. Centres in Brisbane's south and east consistently record higher pass rates, while the northern suburbs lag behind.
- South and East (65-76%): Cleveland, Logan City, Wynnum, Sherwood, Logan
- North (53-54%): Caboolture, Strathpine, Carseldine, Zillmere
- Inner West (59%): Toowong
This pattern suggests that southern and eastern suburbs generally offer calmer driving environments with wider streets and less congested test routes compared to the northern centres.
Detailed Centre Analysis
Cleveland TMR (76% Pass Rate)
Cleveland stands out as Brisbane's top-performing centre by a wide margin. Located in the Redlands area southeast of the CBD, Cleveland benefits from a test environment dominated by quiet residential streets, manageable intersections, and low-density traffic. The road layout is logical, with clear signage and predictable traffic patterns. For candidates willing to make the trip, Cleveland offers the best statistical chance of success in the greater Brisbane area.
Best for: Candidates who prefer relaxed, suburban driving environments with lower traffic volumes.
Logan City Driver Assessment Centre (70% Pass Rate)
The Logan City Site 2 centre is another strong performer in Brisbane's south. Test routes pass through a mix of residential and light commercial areas. Traffic density is moderate, and the road infrastructure is well-maintained. Logan City is a practical choice for candidates in the southern corridor who want a favourable test environment without travelling as far as Cleveland.
Best for: Southern Brisbane residents who want a high-pass-rate centre with convenient access.
Wynnum TMR (68% Pass Rate)
Wynnum, located in the eastern bayside suburbs, records a solid pass rate of 68%. The surrounding area features a blend of residential streets and main roads, with generally moderate traffic. The bayside location means fewer of the complex multi-lane intersections found in more central areas. Candidates comfortable with a mix of road types will find Wynnum a good option.
Best for: Bayside residents familiar with eastern Brisbane road conditions.
Sherwood TMR (67% Pass Rate)
Sherwood sits in Brisbane's western suburbs along the river. Despite being closer to the CBD than Cleveland or Logan, it still maintains a strong pass rate. The test area includes residential streets and some main roads, with a mix of roundabouts and traffic-light-controlled intersections. Traffic is moderate, and the suburban character of the area works in candidates' favour.
Best for: Candidates in Brisbane's western suburbs who want a well-performing centre close to home.
Toowong TMR (59% Pass Rate)
Toowong is an inner-western suburb with a notably different test environment. The area is characterised by hilly terrain, particularly between Taringa and Toowong, which demands confident speed control. T-intersections near the St Lucia border require careful lane selection. Candidates using manual transmission vehicles may find the steep gradients combined with traffic lights particularly challenging.
Key challenges: Steep hills, speed control on descents, complex T-intersections, and heavier traffic near the University of Queensland.
Best for: Candidates who have practised extensively in hilly inner-western suburbs and are confident with gradient driving.
Caboolture TMR (53% Pass Rate)
Caboolture, in Brisbane's far north, records the lowest pass rate among Brisbane-area centres. The test routes include a mix of suburban and semi-rural roads, with speed transitions that catch some candidates off guard. The lower pass rate does not necessarily mean the test is harder, but the data suggests candidates here may benefit from additional preparation.
Key challenges: Speed zone transitions, a mix of suburban and semi-rural road types, and potentially less structured practice areas.
Northern Suburb Centres: Strathpine, Carseldine/Zillmere (54% Each)
Note: The Carseldine TMR centre has since relocated to the Zillmere location. The pass rate data reflects both centres during the 2022-2023 period. These northern centres all record a 54% pass rate. They share similar characteristics: moderate traffic, a mix of residential and arterial roads, and proximity to busier northern corridor traffic. Candidates testing at these centres should be comfortable with lane changes on main roads and navigating busier intersections.
Factors That Affect Pass Rates
Road Complexity
Centres surrounded by simpler road layouts with fewer multi-lane intersections and lower traffic density tend to produce higher pass rates. Cleveland and Logan exemplify this pattern.
Terrain
Hills are a notable factor in Brisbane. Toowong's hilly terrain demands strong speed management, especially in school zones on descents. Flatter suburbs in the south and east offer a less demanding physical driving environment.
Traffic Volume
Centres near major commuter corridors or commercial hubs expose candidates to more traffic. Northern centres along the Bruce Highway corridor tend to have heavier through-traffic.
Age
Nationally, younger candidates pass at higher rates. Under-20 candidates pass at about 65%, while those 40 and above pass at about 52%. This holds true across Queensland.
Vehicle Type
Automatic transmission candidates pass at about 63%, compared to 59% for manual. If you are testing at a hilly centre like Toowong, automatic transmission removes the added difficulty of hill starts.
How to Choose the Right Centre
1. Balance Pass Rates with Practicality
Cleveland's 76% pass rate is attractive, but it is located about 30 km southeast of the CBD. If you live in Brisbane's north, the 60+ kilometre drive to Cleveland might not be practical. Consider Logan City (70%) or Sherwood (67%) as alternatives that combine strong pass rates with reasonable accessibility.
2. Practice at Your Chosen Centre
Whichever centre you select, dedicate significant practice time to the surrounding streets. Learn the speed zones, identify school zones, note complex intersections, and drive at the same time of day you plan to test.
3. Match the Centre to Your Skills
- Confident on hills? Toowong is not a problem.
- Prefer flat, quiet streets? Cleveland or Logan City.
- Comfortable with moderate traffic? Wynnum or Sherwood.
- Living in the north? Consider whether the trip south is worthwhile given the pass rate difference.
4. Avoid School Zone Times
School zone violations are a common cause of failure across all Queensland centres. Book your test outside school hours (avoid 8:00-9:00 am and 2:30-3:30 pm) to remove this variable, or at least reduce the number of active school zones on your route.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on community feedback from Brisbane driving schools and test candidates, these are the most frequent reasons for failure at Queensland centres:
- Not maintaining speed during lane changes -- you should keep your speed steady, not slow down when changing lanes.
- Incorrect road position on right turns -- ensure you are in the correct lane position when turning right.
- Unnecessary stopping at give way signs -- if the way is clear, stopping completely is not required and may be marked against you.
- School zone speeding on downhill sections -- a particularly common error at Toowong and Greenslopes.
- Pre-drive errors -- forgetting to start the engine, release the handbrake, or check for pedestrians when leaving the test centre car park.
Booking Your Driving Test
You can book your Queensland Q-SAFE driving test through:
- Online: qld.gov.au/transport
- Phone: 13 23 80
- In person: Any TMR customer service centre
The practical driving test fee is approximately $67.15. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts in Queensland — you can rebook as soon as a slot is available, and the full fee applies each time.
Important for overseas licence holders: If you fail a Q-SAFE test while driving on an overseas licence, your authority to drive on that licence in Queensland will be withdrawn immediately. You will need to obtain a Queensland Learner licence before you can drive again. Consider rescheduling if you are not fully prepared rather than risking this outcome.
Key Reminders for Your Q-SAFE Test
- The test lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.
- It uses a competency-based assessment system -- there is no fixed percentage pass mark.
- Critical errors such as running a red light, speeding, stop sign violations, or failing to give way result in an immediate fail.
- Blind spot checks must be obvious -- turn your head past your shoulder.
- Signal at least 5 seconds before any manoeuvre.
- Follow the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre sequence strictly.
Summary
Brisbane's test centre pass rates reveal a clear south-east advantage. Cleveland (76%) and Logan City (70%) lead the field, while northern centres cluster around 53-54%. The inner-western Toowong centre (59%) sits in the middle, with its hilly terrain presenting a unique challenge. Use this data alongside your own driving strengths and practical considerations to select the centre that gives you the best chance of success.
Data source: EzLicence analysis of 30,450+ driving tests (January 2022 - December 2023). Pass rates are historical averages and may change over time.
Explore driving test routes near your chosen centre with AUDrive -- our interactive map helps you practise the exact roads you will encounter on test day.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Pass rates are based on third-party data and do not guarantee individual outcomes. Always refer to Queensland Transport and Main Roads for the latest official test requirements and booking information.