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Practice route
ChallengingLoop

Barnsley · Route 17

Near Barnsley test centre

30.4 km
Distance
40 min
Duration
Challenging
Difficulty
19
Manoeuvres
Difficulty: Moderate

Rated moderate from its real manoeuvre load, 2 roundabouts, 21 turns and 4 signalled junctions across 30 navigation steps.

How this route is examined

This is an independent 30.4 km practice loop near Barnsley test centre, taking roughly 40 min to drive. It is NOT an official DVSA examiner route, the DVSA does not publish those, but it uses the same local roads and junction types an examiner is likely to choose.

On this route you’ll practise roundabout approach & exit, dual-carriageway joins, residential manoeuvres, busy a-roads, independent driving and sustained concentration. Driving it a few times before your test builds the muscle memory that frees up attention for observation and decision-making on the day.

The loop is anchored by 20 catalogued landmarks, including pubs, shops, stations and schools, so you can navigate it from recognisable features rather than a memorised turn list. Rehearsing it in this way means that on test day the area already feels familiar, and your attention is free for the traffic rather than the map.

Whatever the route, your practical test follows the same national shape: an eyesight check, a couple of vehicle-safety questions, around forty minutes of general driving, one reversing manoeuvre chosen by the examiner, and roughly twenty minutes of independent driving following signs or a sat-nav. Practising on roads like these is how you make each of those elements feel routine rather than new.

Treat this route as practice, not a script. The value is not in repeating one fixed sequence but in getting comfortable with the road types, speed changes and junction patterns of the area around Barnsley test centre, so that whatever order your examiner chooses on the day, none of it is unfamiliar. Drive it a few times, focus on smooth observation and planning, and it becomes one more stretch of road you already know, which is exactly the kind of preparation that turns nerves into confidence.

If you are practising with a supervising driver rather than an instructor, take it steadily: agree the manoeuvre spots in advance, keep to a comfortable pace, and stop to talk through anything that felt rushed. And remember the basics that apply on every road, mirrors before any change of speed or direction, signals in good time, and a following distance that gives you room to react. Those habits travel with you long after the test is passed.

Manoeuvre breakdown

What you’ll actually do on this loop, counted from its turn-by-turn directions.

12
Left turns
9
Right turns
2
Roundabouts
4
Traffic lights
30
Total steps

Skills & features

2
Roundabouts
11.2 km
Dual carriageway
30, 40 mph
Speed limits
20
Landmarks

This route helps you practise:

  • Roundabout approach & exit
  • Dual-carriageway joins
  • Residential manoeuvres
  • Busy A-roads
  • Independent driving
  • Sustained concentration

Road mix

  • Trunk roads 11.2 km
  • Minor roads 8.0 km
  • Residential 3.9 km
  • B-roads 2.6 km
  • Unclassified 0.5 km
  • service_other 0.5 km

Turn-by-turn directions

The full 91-step drive on real, named roads (about 30.3 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.

  1. Depart:

    Drive north.

    36 m

  2. Turn left:

    Turn left onto West Road.

    West Road84 m

  3. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Pogmoor Road.

    Pogmoor Road386 m

  4. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Pogmoor Road.

    Pogmoor Road566 m

  5. Turn right:

    Take the A628 exit on the right.

    A628242 m

  6. Turn left:

    Turn left onto A6133/Broadway.

    A6133839 m

  7. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Keresforth Close.

    Keresforth Close199 m

  8. Turn left:

    Turn left.

    14 m

  9. U-turn:

    Make a right U-turn.

    14 m

  10. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Keresforth Close.

    Keresforth Close199 m

  11. Turn left:

    Turn left onto A6133/Broadway. Continue on A6133.

    A6133503 m

  12. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Keresforth Hall Road.

    Keresforth Hall Road60 m

  13. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Locke Street.

    Locke Street61 m

  14. U-turn:

    Make a right U-turn to stay on Locke Street.

    Locke Street61 m

  15. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Keresforth Hall Road.

    Keresforth Hall Road50 m

  16. Turn left:

    Turn left onto A6133/Keresforth Hill Road.

    A6133280 m

  17. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Keresforth Hill Road/B6099. Continue on B6099.

    B60991.4 km

  18. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Green Lane.

    Green Lane349 m

  19. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Saville Road.

    Saville Road299 m

  20. Turn right:

    Turn right onto The Link.

    The Link199 m

  21. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Green Lane.

    Green Lane77 m

  22. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Keresforth Road/B6099.

    Keresforth Road421 m

  23. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Gilroyd Lane.

    Gilroyd Lane301 m

  24. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Saville Road.

    Saville Road238 m

  25. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Green Lane.

    Green Lane349 m

  26. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Keresforth Road/B6099.

    Keresforth Road421 m

  27. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Gilroyd Lane.

    Gilroyd Lane1.0 km

  28. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Round Green Lane.

    Round Green Lane1.2 km

  29. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Haverlands Lane.

    Haverlands Lane2.3 km

  30. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Vernon Road.

    Vernon Road41 m

  31. Turn left:

    Turn left onto A61/Park Road. Continue on A61.

    A612.8 km

  32. Roundabout:

    Enter Alhambra Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A61/Harborough Hill Road.

    Alhambra Roundabout108 m

  33. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A61/Harborough Hill Road.

    A61939 m

  34. Roundabout:

    Enter Old Mill Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A635/Old Mill Lane.

    Old Mill Roundabout55 m

  35. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A635/Old Mill Lane.

    A635119 m

  36. Turn left:

    Move left onto Eldon Street North.

    Eldon Street North216 m

  37. Turn left:

    Turn left onto James Street.

    James Street143 m

  38. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Vernon Street.

    Vernon Street95 m

  39. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Denton Street.

    Denton Street49 m

  40. Continue:

    Continue on A61/Harborough Hill Road.

    A61177 m

  41. Roundabout:

    Enter Old Mill Roundabout and take the 6th exit onto A61/Harborough Hill Road.

    Old Mill Roundabout252 m

  42. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A61/Harborough Hill Road.

    A611.0 km

  43. Roundabout:

    Enter Alhambra Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A61/Sheffield Road.

    Alhambra Roundabout16 m

  44. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto A61/Sheffield Road.

    A61143 m

  45. Keep right:

    Keep right to stay on A61/Sheffield Road.

    A61580 m

  46. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Mount Vernon Road.

    Mount Vernon Road834 m

  47. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Pinfold Hill.

    Pinfold Hill188 m

  48. Turn left:

    Move left onto Kingwell Road.

    Kingwell Road209 m

  49. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Blackburn Lane.

    Blackburn Lane108 m

  50. Turn right:

    Turn right onto De Lacy Drive.

    De Lacy Drive104 m

  51. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Saxon Crescent.

    Saxon Crescent30 m

  52. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Saxon Crescent.

    Saxon Crescent246 m

  53. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Kingwell Road.

    Kingwell Road90 m

  54. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Pinfold Hill.

    Pinfold Hill188 m

  55. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Mount Vernon Road.

    Mount Vernon Road549 m

  56. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Mount Vernon Avenue.

    Mount Vernon Avenue495 m

  57. Turn right:

    Move right onto Kenworthy Road.

    Kenworthy Road116 m

  58. Turn right:

    Move right onto Highstone Avenue.

    Highstone Avenue389 m

  59. Turn left:

    Turn left onto A6133/Park Road. Continue on A6133.

    A61331.1 km

  60. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Keresforth Hill Road/B6099.

    Keresforth Hill Road162 m

  61. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Greenacre School.

    Greenacre School86 m

  62. Turn left:

    Turn left.

    60 m

  63. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Greenacre School.

    Greenacre School147 m

  64. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Keresforth Hill Road/B6099.

    Keresforth Hill Road172 m

  65. Turn right:

    Turn right onto A6133.

    A61331.1 km

  66. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Highstone Avenue.

    Highstone Avenue15 m

  67. Turn right:

    Turn right to stay on Highstone Avenue.

    Highstone Avenue36 m

  68. Turn left:

    Turn left onto A6133/Park Road.

    A6133778 m

  69. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Keresforth Hall Road.

    Keresforth Hall Road50 m

  70. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Locke Street.

    Locke Street61 m

  71. U-turn:

    Make a right U-turn to stay on Locke Street.

    Locke Street61 m

  72. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Keresforth Hall Road.

    Keresforth Hall Road60 m

  73. Turn right:

    Turn right onto A6133/Keresforth Hill Road. Continue on A6133.

    A613330 m

  74. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Racecommon Road.

    Racecommon Road415 m

  75. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Longcar Lane.

    Longcar Lane103 m

  76. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Spring Gardens.

    Spring Gardens71 m

  77. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Spring Gardens.

    Spring Gardens57 m

  78. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Spring Gardens.

    Spring Gardens108 m

  79. Turn right:

    Turn right to stay on Spring Gardens.

    Spring Gardens29 m

  80. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Longcar Lane.

    Longcar Lane103 m

  81. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Racecommon Road.

    Racecommon Road534 m

  82. Roundabout:

    Enter Townend Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Summer Lane.

    Townend Roundabout45 m

  83. Leave roundabout:

    Exit the roundabout onto Summer Lane.

    Summer Lane971 m

  84. Turn left:

    Turn left onto Pogmoor Road.

    Pogmoor Road886 m

  85. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on Pogmoor Road.

    Pogmoor Road103 m

  86. Turn left:

    Turn left onto St Martins Close.

    St Martins Close42 m

  87. Turn left:

    Turn left to stay on St Martins Close.

    St Martins Close38 m

  88. Turn right:

    Turn right onto St Owens Drive.

    St Owens Drive173 m

  89. Turn right:

    Turn right onto Pogmoor Road.

    Pogmoor Road242 m

  90. Turn right:

    Turn right onto West Road.

    West Road56 m

  91. Arrive:

    You have arrived at your destination.

Directions for the Barnsley · Route 17 loop. Always drive to the road and conditions you see, not the list — signs, signals and other traffic take priority.

Local roads & landmarks

These are the real named features along the loop, straight from our route catalogue. Use them to recognise where you are and to anticipate the hazard each one brings, not to memorise a fixed order.

Stations

Expect busier traffic, pick-ups and pedestrians around these.

  • Park Road/Edmund Street
  • Park Road/James Street
  • Upper Sheffield Road/Bluebell Bank
  • Sheffield Road/Park Road
  • Upper Sheffield Road/Pinder Oaks Lane

Schools

Watch for 20 mph zones, crossings and children near these.

  • Greenacre School

Churches

Useful navigation anchors on the loop.

  • St Edward The Confessor

Pubs

Easy landmarks to navigate the loop by.

  • Tom Treddlehoyle
  • Prince of Wales
  • Victoria
  • Locke Park WMC

Shops & parades

Frequent stop-start traffic and pedestrians, keep your speed down.

  • Co-operative Food
  • S&S General Store
  • Zebra Studio
  • HK Barbers

Watch out for

  • Roundabout

    Approach in the correct lane, signal on the exit before yours, and keep checking your mirrors as you leave.

  • Dual-carriageway join

    About 11.2 km of this loop is dual carriageway. Build your speed on the slip road, take an effective rearward observation, and merge without forcing other traffic to brake.

  • Residential streets

    Narrow residential roads mean parked cars, pedestrians and reduced visibility. Cover the brake, keep your speed down and be ready to give way.

Drive it: landmark by landmark

Navigate by these 20 catalogued landmarks rather than a memorised turn list, an indicative loop, not an official DVSA route.

  1. Tom Treddlehoyle

    Start near Tom Treddlehoyle.

  2. Co-operative Food

    Continue to Co-operative Food.

  3. S&S General Store

    Continue to S&S General Store.

  4. Park Road/Edmund Street

    Continue to Park Road/Edmund Street.

  5. Park Road/James Street

    Continue to Park Road/James Street.

  6. Upper Sheffield Road/Bluebell Bank

    Continue to Upper Sheffield Road/Bluebell Bank.

  7. Sheffield Road/Park Road

    Continue to Sheffield Road/Park Road.

  8. Upper Sheffield Road/Pinder Oaks Lane

    Continue to Upper Sheffield Road/Pinder Oaks Lane.

  9. Prince of Wales

    Continue to Prince of Wales.

  10. Zebra Studio

    Continue to Zebra Studio.

  11. Sheffield Road/Brinckman Street

    Continue to Sheffield Road/Brinckman Street.

  12. Victoria

    Continue to Victoria.

  13. Locke Park WMC

    Continue to Locke Park WMC.

  14. Greenacre School

    Continue to Greenacre School.

  15. St Edward The Confessor

    Continue to St Edward The Confessor.

  16. HK Barbers

    Continue to HK Barbers.

  17. Hair & Beauty Lounge

    Continue to Hair & Beauty Lounge.

  18. Longcar Inn

    Continue to Longcar Inn.

  19. Tarn End Tap

    Continue to Tarn End Tap.

  20. Polish Social Club

    Finish back near Polish Social Club, completing the loop.

More routes at Barnsley test centre

Route FAQs

This route is 30.4 km and takes about 40 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Barnsley test centre, not an official DVSA route.