Near Bury St Edmunds test centre
Rated moderate from its real manoeuvre load, 8 roundabouts, 12 turns and 2 signalled junctions across 24 navigation steps.
This is an independent 86.3 km practice loop near Bury St Edmunds test centre, taking roughly 35 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 Drovers Corner, Woolpit Interchange and Westley Interchange. 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, national-speed roads, 20 mph zones, changing speed limits, residential manoeuvres, busy a-roads and independent driving. 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 churches, pubs, shops and named junctions, 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 Bury St Edmunds 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 147-step drive on real, named roads (about 86.3 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.
Drive east.
58 m
Turn left onto St Andrews Street North.
St Andrews Street North192 m
Turn left onto Tayfen Road/A143. Continue on A143.
A143458 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Risbygate Street.
4 m
Exit the roundabout onto Risbygate Street.
Risbygate Street285 m
Move right onto Brentgovel Street.
Brentgovel Street60 m
Turn left onto St Johns Street.
St Johns Street422 m
Turn left onto Ipswich Street.
Ipswich Street113 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Station Hill.
17 m
Exit the roundabout onto Station Hill.
Station Hill259 m
Turn left onto Fornham Road/A1101.
Fornham Road716 m
Turn left onto Norfolk Road.
Norfolk Road247 m
Turn left onto Northgate Avenue.
Northgate Avenue123 m
Turn left onto Avenue Approach.
Avenue Approach226 m
Turn right onto Fornham Road/A1101. Continue on A1101.
A1101751 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Northgate Street.
41 m
Exit the roundabout onto Northgate Street.
Northgate Street339 m
Turn right onto St Michael's Close.
St Michael's Close60 m
Turn left onto Northgate Street.
Northgate Street323 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Northgate Street/A1101.
60 m
Exit the roundabout onto Northgate Street/A1101. Continue on A1101.
A1101740 m
Turn left onto Avenue Approach.
Avenue Approach226 m
Turn left onto Northgate Avenue.
Northgate Avenue247 m
Turn right onto Raynham Road.
Raynham Road298 m
Turn left onto Anglian Lane.
Anglian Lane421 m
Turn right onto Beetons Way.
Beetons Way340 m
Move right onto Tollgate Lane.
Tollgate Lane686 m
Turn right onto Fornham Road/A1101.
Fornham Road123 m
Turn left onto Fornham Road/A1101. Continue on A1101.
A1101917 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Compiegne Way/A143.
7 m
Exit the roundabout onto Compiegne Way/A143.
Compiegne Way23 m
Turn left to stay on Compiegne Way/A143.
Compiegne Way386 m
Enter St Saviours Interchange and take the 3rd exit onto A134/Compiegne Way.
St Saviours Interchange195 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134/Compiegne Way.
A1341.0 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A134.
18 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134229 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A134.
36 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A1341.7 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto B1106.
9 m
Exit the roundabout onto B1106.
B1106538 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto B1106.
65 m
Exit the roundabout onto B1106.
B11064.5 km
Turn right onto Brandon Road/B1106.
Brandon Road864 m
Turn left.
48 m
Turn left.
32 m
Make a sharp left.
69 m
Turn right onto Brandon Road/B1106.
Brandon Road864 m
Turn left to stay on B1106.
B11064.5 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Culford Road/B1106.
44 m
Exit the roundabout onto Culford Road/B1106. Continue on B1106.
B11061.6 km
Turn left onto Barton Hill.
Barton Hill655 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A134.
81 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134235 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A134/Compiegne Way.
106 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134/Compiegne Way.
A134985 m
Enter St Saviours Interchange and take the 2nd exit onto A14.
St Saviours Interchange97 m
Exit the roundabout onto A14/E 24.
A141.6 km
Take exit 44.
354 m
Enter Moreton Hall Interchange and take the 3rd exit onto A134.
Moreton Hall Interchange229 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134185 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A134.
54 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134404 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Cullum Road/A1302.
53 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cullum Road/A1302.
Cullum Road112 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Wilks Road.
54 m
Exit the roundabout onto Wilks Road.
Wilks Road257 m
Turn right onto Barons Road.
Barons Road537 m
Turn right onto Canterbury Green.
Canterbury Green83 m
Turn left to stay on Canterbury Green.
Canterbury Green37 m
Turn left to stay on Canterbury Green.
Canterbury Green83 m
Turn left onto Barons Road.
Barons Road572 m
Turn left onto Wilks Road.
Wilks Road254 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Cullum Road/A1302.
47 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cullum Road/A1302.
Cullum Road120 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A134.
54 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134406 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A134.
21 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134184 m
Enter Moreton Hall Interchange and take the 1st exit.
Moreton Hall Interchange13 m
Exit the roundabout onto A14/E 24.
A141.8 km
Take exit 43.
A14256 m
Enter St Saviours Interchange and take the 4th exit onto A134/Compiegne Way.
St Saviours Interchange256 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134/Compiegne Way.
A1341.0 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A134.
18 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134229 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Barton Hill.
8 m
Exit the roundabout onto Barton Hill.
Barton Hill665 m
Make a sharp left to stay on Barton Hill.
Barton Hill669 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A134.
81 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134235 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A134/Compiegne Way.
106 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134/Compiegne Way.
A134985 m
Enter St Saviours Interchange and take the 2nd exit onto A14.
St Saviours Interchange97 m
Exit the roundabout onto A14/E 24.
A141.6 km
Take exit 44.
354 m
Enter Moreton Hall Interchange and take the 3rd exit onto A134.
Moreton Hall Interchange229 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134185 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A134.
54 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134.
A134404 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Cullum Road/A1302.
53 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cullum Road/A1302.
Cullum Road112 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Cullum Road/A1302.
91 m
Exit the roundabout onto Cullum Road/A1302.
Cullum Road1.1 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkway South/A143.
19 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway South/A143.
Parkway South571 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkway South/A143.
15 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway South/A143.
Parkway South311 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkway North/A143.
24 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway North/A143. Continue on A143.
A143602 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Tayfen Road/A143.
16 m
Exit the roundabout onto Tayfen Road/A143. Continue on A143.
A143164 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Compiegne Way/A143.
56 m
Exit the roundabout onto Compiegne Way/A143.
Compiegne Way23 m
Turn left to stay on Compiegne Way/A143.
Compiegne Way386 m
Enter St Saviours Interchange and take the 3rd exit onto A134/Compiegne Way.
St Saviours Interchange195 m
Exit the roundabout onto A134/Compiegne Way.
A1341.0 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A143/Compiegne Way.
86 m
Exit the roundabout onto A143/Compiegne Way.
A143579 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A143/Compiegne Way.
27 m
Exit the roundabout onto A143/Compiegne Way.
A143845 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Orttewell Road.
39 m
Exit the roundabout onto Orttewell Road.
Orttewell Road635 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Orttewell Road.
24 m
Exit the roundabout onto Orttewell Road.
Orttewell Road464 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Orttewell Road.
29 m
Exit the roundabout onto Orttewell Road.
Orttewell Road367 m
Enter Drovers Corner and take the 4th exit onto Bedingfeld Way.
Drovers Corner120 m
Exit the roundabout onto Bedingfeld Way.
Bedingfeld Way1.1 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit.
32 m
Exit the roundabout.
78 m
Enter Moreton Hall Interchange and take the 1st exit.
Moreton Hall Interchange13 m
Exit the roundabout onto A14/E 24.
A1411.3 km
Take exit 47.
221 m
Move left onto A1088.
A108895 m
Enter Woolpit Interchange and take the 1st exit onto Elmswell Road/A1088.
Woolpit Interchange6 m
Exit the roundabout onto Elmswell Road/A1088.
Elmswell Road481 m
Enter Woolpit Interchange and take the 1st exit.
Woolpit Interchange9 m
Exit the roundabout onto A14/E 24.
A1416.5 km
Take exit 42.
A14305 m
Enter Westley Interchange and take the 2nd exit onto Fornham Lane.
Westley Interchange87 m
Exit the roundabout onto Fornham Lane.
Fornham Lane1.4 km
Turn left onto Westley Road.
Westley Road1.9 km
Turn left onto Newmarket Road/A1302.
Newmarket Road696 m
Make a right U-turn at Western Way to stay on A1302.
A13021.3 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Parkway North/A143.
3 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway North/A143.
Parkway North130 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Bury St Edmunds · Route 6 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.
Easy landmarks to navigate the loop by.
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 44.7 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, 60, 70 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.
Salvation Army Hall
Start near Salvation Army Hall.
Seventh Day Adventist Chapel
Continue to Seventh Day Adventist Chapel.
Greengage
Continue to Greengage.
Lancaster Gospel Hall
Continue to Lancaster Gospel Hall.
All Saints
Continue to All Saints.
Culford Estate War Memorial
Continue to Culford Estate War Memorial.
St Martins Church
Continue to St Martins Church.
Woolpack
Continue to Woolpack.
Abbey Wheel Refurbishments
Continue to Abbey Wheel Refurbishments.
M&S Simply Food
Continue to M&S Simply Food.
Beerhouse
Continue to Beerhouse.
Juke's Bar
Continue to Juke's Bar.
Drovers Corner
Continue to Drovers Corner, taking the junction with good observation.
Moreton Hall
Continue to Moreton Hall.
Click and Collect
Continue to Click and Collect.
Tapi Carpets
Continue to Tapi Carpets.
Woolpit Interchange
Continue to Woolpit Interchange, taking the junction with good observation.
Westley Interchange
Continue to Westley Interchange, taking the junction with good observation.
Saint Mary (Westley Parish Church)
Continue to Saint Mary (Westley Parish Church).
Kids Play Childcare
Finish back near Kids Play Childcare, completing the loop.
9 roundabouts · 10 turns · 1 set of lights
18 roundabouts · 6 turns · 1 set of lights
15 roundabouts · 4 turns
9 roundabouts · 15 turns · 2 sets of lights
This route is 86.3 km and takes about 35 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Bury St Edmunds test centre, not an official DVSA route.