Near Chelmsford test centre
Rated moderate from its real manoeuvre load, 9 roundabouts, 8 turns and 3 signalled junctions across 23 navigation steps.
This is an independent 61.7 km practice route near Chelmsford 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 Generals Lane Roundabout, Cuton Roundabout and Princes Road Roundabout. 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 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, pubs, schools 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 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 139-step drive on real, named roads (about 61.8 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 1st exit onto New Street/B1008.
New Street Roundabout2 m
Exit the roundabout onto New Street/B1008.
New Street411 m
Turn right onto Victoria Road/A1099.
Victoria Road350 m
Turn left onto Duke Street/A1099. Continue on Duke Street.
Duke Street251 m
Turn right onto Tindal Square.
Tindal Square211 m
Turn left onto Victoria Road South/A1099.
Victoria Road South108 m
Enter Market Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Victoria Road South/A1099.
Market Roundabout159 m
Exit the roundabout onto Victoria Road South/A1099.
Victoria Road South285 m
Turn right onto Duke Street.
Duke Street222 m
Turn right onto Tindal Square.
Tindal Square211 m
Turn left onto Victoria Road South/A1099.
Victoria Road South108 m
Enter Market Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Market Roundabout8 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
Move right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway97 m
Enter Army & Navy Roundabout and take the 5th exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Army & Navy Roundabout166 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway447 m
Enter Odeon Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Odeon Roundabout171 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway361 m
Move right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway97 m
Enter Army & Navy Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Baddow Road/B1009.
Army & Navy Roundabout105 m
Exit the roundabout onto Baddow Road/B1009.
Baddow Road673 m
Turn right onto Beehive Lane/B1009.
Beehive Lane1.8 km
Turn left onto Deadman's Lane.
Deadman's Lane735 m
Turn left onto Galleywood Road.
Galleywood Road599 m
Turn left onto Dorset Avenue.
Dorset Avenue479 m
Turn left to stay on Dorset Avenue.
Dorset Avenue85 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Dorset Avenue.
Dorset Avenue85 m
Turn right to stay on Dorset Avenue.
Dorset Avenue149 m
Turn right onto Duffield Road.
Duffield Road340 m
Turn left onto Beehive Lane/B1009.
Beehive Lane2.1 km
Turn right onto Stock Road/B1007. Continue on B1007.
B10071.2 km
Keep right to take Galleywood Road.
Galleywood Road42 m
Turn right to stay on Galleywood Road.
Galleywood Road16 m
Move right onto Linnet Drive.
Linnet Drive75 m
Turn right onto Osprey Way.
Osprey Way304 m
Turn left onto Robin Way.
Robin Way282 m
Turn left onto Linnet Drive.
Linnet Drive156 m
Turn left onto Galleywood Road/B1007. Continue on B1007.
B10071.7 km
Turn left onto Ponds Road.
Ponds Road164 m
Turn left onto Well Lane.
Well Lane138 m
Turn right onto Barnard Road.
Barnard Road962 m
Turn left onto Watchouse Road.
Watchouse Road747 m
Turn left onto Stock Road/B1007.
Stock Road1.2 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Stock Road Interchange/B1007.
38 m
Exit the roundabout onto Stock Road Interchange/B1007.
Stock Road Interchange117 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Stock Road/B1007.
29 m
Exit the roundabout onto Stock Road/B1007.
Stock Road393 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Stock Road/B1007.
36 m
Exit the roundabout onto Stock Road/B1007. Continue on B1007.
B10072.8 km
Turn left onto The Square.
The Square27 m
Turn left to stay on The Square.
The Square84 m
Turn right onto High Street/B1007. Continue on B1007.
B10072.8 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Stock Road/B1007.
10 m
Exit the roundabout onto Stock Road/B1007.
Stock Road392 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Stock Road Interchange/B1007.
35 m
Exit the roundabout onto Stock Road Interchange/B1007.
Stock Road Interchange117 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A12.
67 m
Exit the roundabout onto A12/E 30/Chelmsford Bypass.
A129.6 km
Take exit 19.
A12435 m
Enter Drovers Way Roundabout and take the 5th exit onto A131.
Drovers Way Roundabout138 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131.
A131314 m
Enter Generals Lane Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Generals Lane Roundabout8 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Road/A138.
Chelmer Road2.5 km
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 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. Continue on A1114.
A1114409 m
Enter Princes Road Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road Roundabout40 m
Exit the roundabout onto Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road1.2 km
Enter Miami Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Moulsham Street/B1007.
Miami Roundabout92 m
Exit the roundabout onto Moulsham Street/B1007.
B10071.6 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 left to take Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road1.2 km
Turn left onto Patching Hall Lane.
Patching Hall Lane228 m
Turn right onto Rutland Road.
Rutland Road821 m
Make a right U-turn onto Essex Avenue.
Essex Avenue821 m
Turn left onto Patching Hall Lane.
Patching Hall Lane228 m
Turn right onto Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road1.1 km
Move right onto Parkway/A1016.
Parkway525 m
Keep left to take Parkway/A1060.
Parkway345 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway346 m
Enter Market Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Market Roundabout66 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
Move right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway97 m
Enter Army & Navy Roundabout and take the 5th exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Army & Navy Roundabout166 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 19 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.
Pedestrian crossings and parked cars are common nearby.
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 Generals Lane Roundabout, Cuton Roundabout, Princes Road Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 10.0 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, 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.
Ebenezer Strict Baptist Chapel
Start near Ebenezer Strict Baptist Chapel.
Friends Meeting House
Continue to Friends Meeting House.
Wheatsheaf
Continue to Wheatsheaf.
Chelmsford Mosque
Continue to Chelmsford Mosque.
Salvation Army
Continue to Salvation Army.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Continue to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Seabrights Barn
Continue to Seabrights Barn.
Tile Kiln Church
Continue to Tile Kiln Church.
St Michael's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School
Continue to St Michael's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School.
White Bear
Continue to White Bear.
Hoop
Continue to Hoop.
Generals Lane Roundabout
Continue to Generals Lane Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Cuton Roundabout
Continue to Cuton Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Princes Road Roundabout
Continue to Princes Road Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Rising Sun
Continue to Rising Sun.
Broomfield Road Evangelical
Continue to Broomfield Road Evangelical.
Frank Whitmore Green
Continue to Frank Whitmore Green.
Woolpack
Continue to Woolpack.
Chelmsford Central Baptist Church
Continue to Chelmsford Central Baptist Church.
Firework Crazy
Finish back near Firework Crazy, 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 61.7 km and takes about 35 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Chelmsford test centre, not an official DVSA route.