1. By car

From the A1, join the A694 / A1114 toward Dunston, follow signs for “Racecourse / Dunston Staiths” and turn into Waterside Drive opposite the Tyne Riverside car park. Bays are shared with LGV tests—arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your slot.

2. By public transport

• Bus – Stagecoach 575 stops outside the estate every 30 minutes.
• Bus – Go North East Route 27 (Newcastle ↔ South Shields) stops at Dunston Road / Wellington Road—6 minutes’ walk.
• Train – Dunston rail station is a 10-minute walk via Clockmill Road.

3. Cycling / walking

National Cycle Network Route 14 – Keelman’s Way – links Wylam to central Gateshead. Leave at the Staiths footbridge, ride 0.4 miles along Riverside Road, and lock up at the centre hoops.

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1. A194 Western Approach average‑speed zone

Typical slip-up – Late braking past the yellow poles leads to speed offences.
Quick fix – Feather off before the first camera and let engine‑braking ease you to 30 mph.

2. Tyne Dock five‑arm roundabout

Typical slip-up – Spiral lanes tighten on exit toward the Port; learners drift.
Quick fix – Read lane arrows 150 m out, stay below 25 mph, and commit smoothly.

3. Waterside Drive HGV squeeze

Typical slip-up – Parked artics narrow the road to single file; many fail to yield.
Quick fix – Scan two truck-lengths ahead, choose a passing gap early, and signal decisively.

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1. About Gateshead Test Centre

The quiet riverside cul‑de‑sac helps calm first‑minute nerves. Examiners favour bay-parking in the rear yard; parallel parking jobs frequently appear on Dunston Road.

2. What to Expect on the Day

Arrive 10 minutes early with your provisional licence. You’ll:

• Complete a 20 m eyesight check
• Answer one “show me, tell me” question
• Perform one reversing manoeuvre (bay or parallel)
• Possibly complete an emergency stop
• Drive ~20 minutes independently via sat-nav or signs

Examiners check mirror–signal–manoeuvre at every A1 / A184 merge.

3. After You Pass

Results are uploaded instantly, and your photocard licence usually arrives within two weeks. Consider Pass Plus for extra confidence on the A1(M) and A19, and compare telematics insurers early to lock in first-year savings.

4. What If You Don’t Pass?

Not passing can feel discouraging, but DriveBot scans Gateshead, South Shields, and Sunderland for the earliest retest, keeping your skills fresh and momentum going.

5. Can’t Find Earlier Driving Test Cancellations?

DriveBot offers:

• Instant slot alerts as soon as a cancellation appears
• Flexible filters — centre radius, date range, gearbox type
• Zero hassle — DriveBot hunts while you focus on practice

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