Near Chelmsford test centre
Rated challenging from its real manoeuvre load, 10 roundabouts, 13 turns and 3 signalled junctions across 26 navigation steps.
This is an independent 46.8 km practice route near Chelmsford 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.
Along the way you'll meet Springfield Hall Roundabout, Miami Roundabout, Princes Road Roundabout, Springfield Road and White Hart Lane Roundabout and 1 more named junctions. 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, national-speed roads, 20 mph zones, changing speed limits, residential manoeuvres, busy a-roads 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 churches, schools, named junctions and pubs, 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 Chelmsford 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 145-step drive on real, named roads (about 46.9 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.
Drive northeast.
135 m
Turn left onto Moulsham Street.
Moulsham Street120 m
Turn right onto New London Road/B1007.
New London Road1.4 km
Enter Market Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Market Roundabout55 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway206 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway482 m
Move right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway18 m
Keep right to take A1016.
A1016429 m
Keep right to stay on A1016.
A1016110 m
Take the exit on the right.
Rectory Lane406 m
Enter New Street Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Hoffmanns Way.
New Street Roundabout28 m
Exit the roundabout onto Hoffmanns Way.
Hoffmanns Way346 m
Turn left to stay on Hoffmanns Way.
Hoffmanns Way14 m
Turn right.
13 m
Turn right.
23 m
Make a right U-turn.
23 m
Turn left.
13 m
Turn left onto Hoffmanns Way.
Hoffmanns Way14 m
Turn right to stay on Hoffmanns Way.
Hoffmanns Way338 m
Enter New Street Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Rectory Lane/B1008.
New Street Roundabout32 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rectory Lane/B1008.
Rectory Lane333 m
Turn right to take the Chelmer Valley Road ramp.
Chelmer Valley Road320 m
Keep left to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road1.1 km
Enter Springfield Hall Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Springfield Hall Roundabout68 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road1.4 km
Keep right to stay on A1016.
A1016583 m
Turn right onto Rainsford Road/A1060. Continue on A1060.
A10602.3 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Lordship Road.
7 m
Exit the roundabout onto Lordship Road.
Lordship Road1.2 km
Turn left onto The Green.
The Green164 m
Keep right to stay on The Green.
The Green108 m
Move right onto Comyns Place.
Comyns Place11 m
Turn left onto Pump Lane.
Pump Lane64 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Pump Lane.
Pump Lane64 m
Turn right onto Comyns Place.
Comyns Place11 m
Turn right onto The Green.
The Green193 m
Turn right to stay on The Green.
The Green1.7 km
Turn right onto Westway/A1016.
Westway701 m
Enter Britvic Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto London Road/A1114.
Britvic Roundabout4 m
Exit the roundabout onto London Road/A1114. Continue on A1114.
A1114532 m
Enter Miami Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Princes Road/A1114.
Miami Roundabout51 m
Exit the roundabout onto Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road1.2 km
Enter Princes Road Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road Roundabout32 m
Exit the roundabout onto Princes Road/A1114. Continue on A1114.
A1114415 m
Enter Army & Navy Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Essex Yeomanry Way/A1114.
Army & Navy Roundabout117 m
Exit the roundabout onto Essex Yeomanry Way/A1114.
Essex Yeomanry Way1.7 km
Take the exit.
A1060339 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Maldon Road/A1060.
64 m
Exit the roundabout onto Maldon Road/A1060.
Maldon Road86 m
Keep left to stay on Maldon Road.
Maldon Road344 m
Turn left onto The Causeway.
The Causeway109 m
Turn left onto New Road.
New Road285 m
Turn left onto Crescent Road.
Crescent Road118 m
Turn left to stay on Crescent Road.
Crescent Road173 m
Turn left onto Maldon Road.
Maldon Road293 m
Move right onto Tabors Hill.
Tabors Hill156 m
Move left onto Baddow Road.
Baddow Road1.4 km
Enter Army & Navy Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Army & Navy Roundabout39 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway447 m
Enter Odeon Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Odeon Roundabout64 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway256 m
Keep left to stay on Parkway.
Parkway73 m
Move left onto New London Road/B1007.
New London Road196 m
Turn right onto New Writtle Street.
New Writtle Street392 m
Turn left onto Hart Street.
Hart Street136 m
Turn left onto Lower Anchor Street.
Lower Anchor Street253 m
Turn left onto New London Road/B1007.
New London Road703 m
Enter Market Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Market Roundabout159 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway552 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway51 m
Enter Odeon Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Odeon Roundabout59 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway361 m
Turn left onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road976 m
Keep left to stay on Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road989 m
Keep left to stay on Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road298 m
Take the exit.
A138421 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Springfield Road/B1137.
42 m
Exit the roundabout onto Springfield Road/B1137.
Springfield Road411 m
Enter Cuton Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Cuton Roundabout53 m
Exit the roundabout onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road325 m
Enter Colchester Road Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road Roundabout29 m
Exit the roundabout onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road234 m
Enter White Hart Lane Roundabout and take the 6th exit onto Colchester Road/B1137.
White Hart Lane Roundabout122 m
Exit the roundabout onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road247 m
Enter Colchester Road Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road Roundabout40 m
Exit the roundabout onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road318 m
Enter Cuton Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Approach/A138.
Cuton Roundabout68 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road976 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Chelmer Road/A138.
55 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road956 m
Enter Chelmer Road Roundabout and take the 6th exit onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road Roundabout211 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road902 m
Keep right to stay on Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road61 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Chelmer Road/A138.
105 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road956 m
Enter Chelmer Road Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road Roundabout41 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road942 m
Enter Army & Navy Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Van Dieman's Road/A1114.
Army & Navy Roundabout79 m
Exit the roundabout onto Van Dieman's Road/A1114.
Van Dieman's Road208 m
Turn right onto Lady Lane.
Lady Lane458 m
Turn right onto Manor Road.
Manor Road280 m
Turn right onto Goldlay Road.
Goldlay Road180 m
Turn right onto Lynmouth Avenue.
Lynmouth Avenue287 m
Turn right onto Lady Lane.
Lady Lane192 m
Turn right onto Manor Road.
Manor Road280 m
Turn right onto Goldlay Road.
Goldlay Road180 m
Turn right onto Lynmouth Avenue.
Lynmouth Avenue287 m
Turn right onto Lady Lane.
Lady Lane300 m
Turn right onto Mildmay Road.
Mildmay Road313 m
Turn left onto Hall Street.
Hall Street194 m
Turn left onto Moulsham Street.
Moulsham Street328 m
Turn right onto Anchor Street.
Anchor Street157 m
Turn right onto New London Road/B1007.
New London Road216 m
Turn left onto New Writtle Street.
New Writtle Street392 m
Turn left onto Hart Street.
Hart Street136 m
Turn left onto Lower Anchor Street.
Lower Anchor Street253 m
Turn right onto New London Road/B1007.
New London Road52 m
Turn left onto Queen Street.
Queen Street400 m
Turn left onto Mildmay Road.
Mildmay Road150 m
Turn right onto Lady Lane.
Lady Lane567 m
Turn left onto Van Dieman's Road/A1114.
Van Dieman's Road212 m
Enter Army & Navy Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Army & Navy Roundabout5 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway447 m
Enter Odeon Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Odeon Roundabout64 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway256 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway353 m
Enter Market Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Victoria Road South/A1099.
Market Roundabout102 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road South/A1099.
Victoria Road South285 m
Turn left onto Duke Street/A1099. Continue on Duke Street.
Duke Street35 m
Turn left.
72 m
Make a right U-turn.
72 m
Turn right onto Duke Street.
Duke Street517 m
Turn right onto Bellmead.
Bellmead256 m
Turn left onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway524 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway51 m
Enter Odeon Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto High Bridge Road/A1099.
Odeon Roundabout9 m
Exit the roundabout onto High Bridge Road/A1099.
High Bridge Road381 m
Enter Kings Meadow Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Springfield Road/A1099.
Kings Meadow Roundabout39 m
Exit the roundabout onto Springfield Road/A1099.
Springfield Road345 m
Turn left onto Victoria Road/A1099.
Victoria Road587 m
Turn right onto New Street/B1008.
New Street407 m
Enter New Street Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Hoffmanns Way.
New Street Roundabout56 m
Exit the roundabout onto Hoffmanns Way.
Hoffmanns Way346 m
Turn right to stay on Hoffmanns Way.
Hoffmanns Way14 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Chelmsford · Route 10 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
Watch your lane discipline and signalling at Springfield Hall Roundabout, Miami Roundabout, Princes Road Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Changing speed limits
Limits change across this route (20, 30, 40, 50, 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.
Christ Church
Start near Christ Church.
Estates Building
Continue to Estates Building.
Springfield Hall Roundabout
Continue to Springfield Hall Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Friends Meeting House
Continue to Friends Meeting House.
Horse and Groom
Continue to Horse and Groom.
All Saint's Church
Continue to All Saint's Church.
Crispy Cod
Continue to Crispy Cod.
Miami Roundabout
Continue to Miami Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Princes Road Roundabout
Continue to Princes Road Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Blue Lion
Continue to Blue Lion.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Continue to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Kingdom Hall
Continue to Kingdom Hall.
Chelmsford Mosque
Continue to Chelmsford Mosque.
Springfield Road
Continue to Springfield Road, taking the junction with good observation.
White Hart Lane Roundabout
Continue to White Hart Lane Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Chelmer Road Roundabout
Continue to Chelmer Road Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Chelmsford Presbyterian Church
Continue to Chelmsford Presbyterian Church.
St John the Evangelist, Moulsham
Continue to St John the Evangelist, Moulsham.
Chelmsford Central Baptist Church
Continue to Chelmsford Central Baptist Church.
Malt Room
Finish back near Malt Room, completing the loop.
12 roundabouts · 4 turns · 2 sets of lights
12 roundabouts · 5 turns · 2 sets of lights
9 roundabouts · 13 turns · 3 sets of lights
14 roundabouts · 4 turns · 2 sets of lights
This route is 46.8 km and takes about 40 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Chelmsford test centre, not an official DVSA route.