Near Birmingham Kings Heath test centre
Rated easy from its real manoeuvre load, 4 roundabouts and 17 turns across 24 navigation steps.
This is an independent 53.6 km practice loop near Birmingham Kings Heath test centre, taking roughly 30 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.
Along the way you'll meet Maypole. Knowing the approach, lane and exit at each one before you arrive is the difference between a planned manoeuvre and a last-second reaction, and last-second reactions are where avoidable faults come from.
On this route you’ll practise multiple roundabouts, dual-carriageway joins, 20 mph zones, changing speed limits, 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 schools, shops, named junctions and churches, 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 Birmingham Kings Heath 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.
What you’ll actually do on this loop, counted from its turn-by-turn directions.
This route helps you practise:
Road mix
The full 129-step drive on real, named roads (about 53.6 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.
Drive north.
33 m
Turn right onto Hawkhurst Road.
Hawkhurst Road233 m
Turn right onto Henlow Road.
Henlow Road312 m
Turn left onto Maypole Lane.
Maypole Lane152 m
Turn left onto Cotford Road.
Cotford Road340 m
Move left onto Sladepool Farm Road.
Sladepool Farm Road465 m
Turn right onto A435/Alcester Road South. Continue on A435.
A4351.2 km
Turn right.
25 m
Turn left.
20 m
Turn left.
25 m
Turn left onto A435/Alcester Road South. Continue on A435.
A4351.4 km
Turn right onto Manningford Road.
Manningford Road119 m
Turn right to stay on Manningford Road.
Manningford Road1.2 km
Turn right onto Pennyacre Road.
Pennyacre Road462 m
Turn left onto Bells Lane.
Bells Lane303 m
Turn left onto Manningford Road.
Manningford Road1.3 km
Turn left to stay on Manningford Road.
Manningford Road119 m
Turn right onto A435/Alcester Road South.
A435412 m
Enter The Maypole and take the 4th exit onto Druids Lane.
The Maypole110 m
Exit the roundabout onto Druids Lane.
Druids Lane1.6 km
Turn left to stay on Druids Lane.
Druids Lane1.6 km
Turn left onto Bells Lane.
Bells Lane1.3 km
Turn left onto Druids Lane.
Druids Lane112 m
Turn right onto Chelworth Road.
Chelworth Road539 m
Turn right onto Harbinger Road.
Harbinger Road152 m
Turn right onto Bells Lane.
Bells Lane1.8 km
Enter The Maypole and take the 3rd exit onto Alcester Road South.
The Maypole83 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South74 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Alcester Road South.
25 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South801 m
Turn left onto Hollywood Lane.
Hollywood Lane87 m
Turn right onto Douglas Road.
Douglas Road146 m
Turn left onto Simon Road.
Simon Road255 m
Turn left onto Dyas Road.
Dyas Road13 m
Turn right onto Fenton Road.
Fenton Road174 m
Turn left onto Heath Road.
Heath Road154 m
Turn right onto Dyas Road.
Dyas Road76 m
Turn right onto Corbett Road.
Corbett Road336 m
Turn left onto Lee Road.
Lee Road143 m
Turn right onto May Lane.
May Lane317 m
Turn right onto Alcester Road.
Alcester Road20 m
Turn left onto Packhorse Lane.
Packhorse Lane1.6 km
Turn left onto Middle Lane.
Middle Lane956 m
Turn left onto Silver Street.
Silver Street1.1 km
Turn left onto Alcester Road.
Alcester Road218 m
Turn right onto Shawhurst Lane.
Shawhurst Lane94 m
Turn left onto Paddocks Road.
Paddocks Road62 m
Turn left onto Burford Road.
Burford Road76 m
Turn right onto Alcester Road.
Alcester Road67 m
Turn right onto Danford Road.
Danford Road88 m
Turn left onto Paddocks Road.
Paddocks Road42 m
Move right onto Falstaff Avenue.
Falstaff Avenue68 m
Turn left onto Oakwood Road.
Oakwood Road379 m
Turn left onto May Lane.
May Lane116 m
Turn right onto Alcester Road.
Alcester Road1.5 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Alcester Road South.
17 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South68 m
Enter The Maypole and take the 3rd exit onto A435/Alcester Road South.
The Maypole71 m
Exit the roundabout onto A435/Alcester Road South. Continue on A435.
A4352.2 km
Turn right onto Taylor Road.
Taylor Road201 m
Turn right onto May Lane.
May Lane456 m
Turn left onto Ardley Road.
Ardley Road300 m
Turn left onto Haunch Lane.
Haunch Lane114 m
Turn left onto Taylor Road.
Taylor Road509 m
Turn left onto A435/Alcester Road South.
A4356 m
Turn right onto Woodthorpe Road.
Woodthorpe Road623 m
Keep left to stay on Woodthorpe Road.
Woodthorpe Road49 m
Move left onto Brandwood Road.
Brandwood Road305 m
Turn left onto Oakwood Drive.
Oakwood Drive53 m
Make a right U-turn at Oakwood Drive to stay on Oakwood Drive.
Oakwood Drive38 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Oakwood Drive.
Oakwood Drive7 m
Make a left U-turn at Oakwood Drive to stay on Oakwood Drive.
Oakwood Drive84 m
Turn left onto Brandwood Road.
Brandwood Road341 m
Turn left onto Broad Lane.
Broad Lane1.1 km
Turn right onto A435/Alcester Road South. Continue on A435.
A4351.4 km
Enter The Maypole and take the 2nd exit onto Alcester Road South.
The Maypole47 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South74 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Alcester Road South.
25 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South1.5 km
Turn left onto May Lane.
May Lane116 m
Turn right onto Oakwood Road.
Oakwood Road379 m
Turn left onto Falstaff Avenue.
Falstaff Avenue240 m
Turn right onto Shawhurst Lane.
Shawhurst Lane380 m
Turn right onto Alcester Road.
Alcester Road2.1 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Alcester Road South.
17 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South68 m
Enter The Maypole and take the 3rd exit onto A435/Alcester Road South.
The Maypole71 m
Exit the roundabout onto A435/Alcester Road South. Continue on A435.
A4352.6 km
Turn right onto Wheelers Lane.
Wheelers Lane312 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Wheelers Lane/A4040.
26 m
Exit the roundabout onto Wheelers Lane/A4040.
Wheelers Lane510 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Wheelers Lane/A4040.
35 m
Exit the roundabout onto Wheelers Lane/A4040.
Wheelers Lane407 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Coldbath Road/B4146.
24 m
Exit the roundabout onto Coldbath Road/B4146.
Coldbath Road612 m
Enter Yardley Wood Road and take the 2nd exit onto Swanshurst Lane/B4146.
Yardley Wood Road23 m
Exit the roundabout onto Swanshurst Lane/B4146.
Swanshurst Lane824 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Swanshurst Lane/B4146.
79 m
Exit the roundabout onto Swanshurst Lane/B4146.
Swanshurst Lane824 m
Enter Yardley Wood Road and take the 2nd exit onto Coldbath Road/B4146.
Yardley Wood Road24 m
Exit the roundabout onto Coldbath Road/B4146.
Coldbath Road612 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Wheelers Lane/A4040.
41 m
Exit the roundabout onto Wheelers Lane/A4040.
Wheelers Lane411 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Wheelers Lane/A4040.
31 m
Exit the roundabout onto Wheelers Lane/A4040.
Wheelers Lane513 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Wheelers Lane.
23 m
Exit the roundabout onto Wheelers Lane.
Wheelers Lane312 m
Turn left onto A435/Alcester Road South. Continue on A435.
A4352.6 km
Enter The Maypole and take the 2nd exit onto Alcester Road South.
The Maypole47 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South74 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Alcester Road South.
25 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South2.1 km
Turn left onto Shawhurst Lane.
Shawhurst Lane94 m
Turn left onto Paddocks Road.
Paddocks Road62 m
Turn left onto Burford Road.
Burford Road76 m
Turn right onto Alcester Road.
Alcester Road67 m
Turn right onto Danford Road.
Danford Road88 m
Turn left onto Paddocks Road.
Paddocks Road42 m
Move right onto Falstaff Avenue.
Falstaff Avenue68 m
Turn left onto Oakwood Road.
Oakwood Road379 m
Turn left onto May Lane.
May Lane116 m
Turn right onto Alcester Road.
Alcester Road1.5 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Alcester Road South.
17 m
Exit the roundabout onto Alcester Road South.
Alcester Road South68 m
Enter The Maypole and take the 4th exit onto Maypole Lane.
The Maypole108 m
Exit the roundabout onto Maypole Lane.
Maypole Lane199 m
Turn left onto Henlow Road.
Henlow Road198 m
Turn left onto Stotfold Road.
Stotfold Road136 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Birmingham Kings Heath · Route 1 loop. Always drive to the road and conditions you see, not the list — signs, signals and other traffic take priority.
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.
Decide your lane and exit on the approach to each of these, get set up early.
Watch for 20 mph zones, crossings and children near these.
Useful navigation anchors on the loop.
Frequent stop-start traffic and pedestrians, keep your speed down.
Multiple roundabouts
Approach in the correct lane, signal on the exit before yours, and keep checking your mirrors as you leave.
Dual-carriageway join
About 12.5 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.
Changing speed limits
Limits change across this route (20, 30, 40 mph). Watch for repeater signs and adjust early, examiners mark you down for carrying the wrong speed into a new limit.
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.
Navigate by these 20 catalogued landmarks rather than a memorised turn list, an indicative loop, not an official DVSA route.
Millpool Campus - City of Birmingham School
Start near Millpool Campus - City of Birmingham School.
Merc Right
Continue to Merc Right.
Maypole
Continue to Maypole, taking the junction with good observation.
H Bennett Lawn Turf
Continue to H Bennett Lawn Turf.
Durnford Croft Store
Continue to Durnford Croft Store.
Kings Norton Christadelphian Hall
Continue to Kings Norton Christadelphian Hall.
Tesco Express
Continue to Tesco Express.
Kingswood Meeting House
Continue to Kingswood Meeting House.
Rose Bank Stores & Saddlery
Continue to Rose Bank Stores & Saddlery.
J J's Barbers
Continue to J J's Barbers.
Penzer Optician
Continue to Penzer Optician.
Busy Bees Nursery
Continue to Busy Bees Nursery.
Broad Lane Chippy
Continue to Broad Lane Chippy.
War Memorial
Continue to War Memorial.
Green Oak Academy (Kings Heath)
Continue to Green Oak Academy (Kings Heath).
Lilliput Day Nursery
Continue to Lilliput Day Nursery.
Peepo! Day Nursery
Continue to Peepo! Day Nursery.
Bright Swans
Continue to Bright Swans.
Birmingham South Christadelphian Meeting Room
Continue to Birmingham South Christadelphian Meeting Room.
Bargain Buys
Finish back near Bargain Buys, completing the loop.
3 roundabouts · 18 turns
5 roundabouts · 20 turns
9 roundabouts · 19 turns
6 roundabouts · 16 turns
This route is 53.6 km and takes about 30 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Birmingham Kings Heath test centre, not an official DVSA route.