Near Chelmsford test centre
Rated challenging from its real manoeuvre load, 9 roundabouts, 13 turns and 3 signalled junctions across 24 navigation steps.
This is an independent 68.1 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 Springfield Hall Roundabout, Stock Road Interchange, Generals Lane Roundabout, Essex Regiment Way and Lawn 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, 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, named junctions, shops 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 151-step drive on real, named roads (about 64.2 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 1st exit onto Valley Bridge.
Springfield Hall Roundabout2 m
Exit the roundabout onto Valley Bridge.
Valley Bridge340 m
Turn left onto Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road1.6 km
Move left onto Rectory Lane/A1016. Continue on A1016.
A1016397 m
Keep left to take Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road1.1 km
Enter Springfield Hall Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Valley Bridge.
Springfield Hall Roundabout2 m
Exit the roundabout onto Valley Bridge.
Valley Bridge340 m
Turn right onto Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road162 m
Turn left onto Skerry Rise.
Skerry Rise285 m
Turn right onto Berwick Avenue.
Berwick Avenue519 m
Turn left to stay on Berwick Avenue.
Berwick Avenue54 m
Turn left to stay on Berwick Avenue.
Berwick Avenue44 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Berwick Avenue.
Berwick Avenue44 m
Turn right to stay on Berwick Avenue.
Berwick Avenue54 m
Turn right to stay on Berwick Avenue.
Berwick Avenue254 m
Turn left onto Heathfield Road.
Heathfield Road84 m
Turn right onto Erick Avenue.
Erick Avenue256 m
Turn left onto Main Road/B1008.
Main Road1.0 km
Turn left onto Church Green.
Church Green64 m
Turn left to stay on Church Green.
Church Green61 m
Turn right onto Main Road/B1008. Continue on B1008.
B10081.4 km
Turn left onto Valley Bridge.
Valley Bridge372 m
Enter Springfield Hall Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Springfield Hall Roundabout37 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road1.4 km
Keep right to stay on A1016.
A1016650 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.
Parkway243 m
Turn right onto New London Road/B1007. Continue on B1007.
B10071.4 km
Turn left onto Moulsham Street/B1007.
Moulsham Street21 m
Enter Miami Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Wood Street/B1007.
Miami Roundabout58 m
Exit the roundabout onto Wood Street/B1007.
Wood Street906 m
Turn right onto Galleywood Road/B1007. Continue on B1007.
B10071.9 km
Turn left onto Watchouse Road.
Watchouse Road45 m
Turn right onto The Street.
The Street345 m
Make a sharp right onto Ponds Road.
Ponds Road142 m
Turn left onto Stock Road/B1007.
Stock Road925 m
Enter Stock Road Interchange and take the 1st exit onto A12.
Stock Road Interchange16 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 3rd exit onto A131/Beaulieu Parkway.
Generals Lane Roundabout77 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131/Beaulieu Parkway.
A131513 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A131/Beaulieu Parkway.
40 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131/Beaulieu Parkway.
A1311.1 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A131/Beaulieu Parkway.
63 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131/Beaulieu Parkway.
A1311.0 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A131/Channels Drive.
48 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131/Channels Drive.
A131509 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A131/Channels Drive.
38 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131/Channels Drive.
A131526 m
Enter Channels Drive Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A131/Essex Regiment Way.
Channels Drive Roundabout78 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131/Essex Regiment Way.
A131800 m
Enter Pratts Farm Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Back Lane.
Pratts Farm Roundabout5 m
Exit the roundabout onto Back Lane.
Back Lane1.3 km
Turn left onto Brook Hill.
Brook Hill344 m
Turn left to stay on Brook Hill.
Brook Hill36 m
Turn left to stay on Brook Hill.
Brook Hill59 m
Turn left to stay on Brook Hill.
Brook Hill30 m
Turn right to stay on Brook Hill.
Brook Hill501 m
Turn right.
1 m
Make a right U-turn.
1 m
Turn left onto Wheeler's Hill.
Wheeler's Hill228 m
Turn left onto Back Lane.
Back Lane1.3 km
Enter Pratts Farm Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A131/Essex Regiment Way.
Pratts Farm Roundabout63 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131/Essex Regiment Way.
A131803 m
Enter Channels Drive Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Essex Regiment Way/A1016.
Channels Drive Roundabout52 m
Exit the roundabout onto Essex Regiment Way/A1016.
Essex Regiment Way601 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Essex Regiment Way/A1016.
64 m
Exit the roundabout onto Essex Regiment Way/A1016.
Essex Regiment Way586 m
Enter Nabbotts Farm Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Essex Regiment Way/A1016.
Nabbotts Farm Roundabout114 m
Exit the roundabout onto Essex Regiment Way/A1016.
Essex Regiment Way223 m
Turn left onto Little Waltham Road.
Little Waltham Road641 m
Turn left onto Mill Lane.
Mill Lane21 m
Turn left to stay on Mill Lane.
Mill Lane37 m
Move right onto Little Waltham Road.
Little Waltham Road606 m
Turn right onto Essex Regiment Way/A1016.
Essex Regiment Way224 m
Enter Nabbotts Farm Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Nabbotts Farm Roundabout78 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road530 m
Enter Lawn Lane Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Lawn Lane Roundabout33 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road782 m
Enter Springfield Hall Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Valley Bridge.
Springfield Hall Roundabout35 m
Exit the roundabout onto Valley Bridge.
Valley Bridge340 m
Turn right onto Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road162 m
Turn left onto Skerry Rise.
Skerry Rise285 m
Turn right onto Berwick Avenue.
Berwick Avenue81 m
Turn left onto Woodhall Road.
Woodhall Road347 m
Turn right onto Essex Avenue.
Essex Avenue109 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Essex Avenue.
Essex Avenue109 m
Turn right onto Woodhall Road.
Woodhall Road121 m
Turn left to stay on Woodhall Road.
Woodhall Road94 m
Turn left onto Patching Hall Lane.
Patching Hall Lane386 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Partridge Avenue.
28 m
Exit the roundabout onto Partridge Avenue.
Partridge Avenue592 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Melbourne Avenue.
69 m
Exit the roundabout onto Melbourne Avenue.
Melbourne Avenue964 m
Turn left onto Chignal Road.
Chignal Road819 m
Turn right onto Roxwell Road/A1060.
Roxwell Road1.0 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
Move left onto The Green.
The Green272 m
Turn right onto Lordship Road.
Lordship Road1.2 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Roxwell Road/A1060.
23 m
Exit the roundabout onto Roxwell Road/A1060. Continue on A1060.
A10602.3 km
Turn left onto Parkway/A1016. Continue on A1016.
A1016402 m
Keep right to stay on A1016.
A1016472 m
Keep left to take Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road1.1 km
Enter Springfield Hall Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Springfield Hall Roundabout34 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road788 m
Enter Lawn Lane Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane Roundabout61 m
Exit the roundabout onto Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane72 m
Turn left onto Brackenden Drive.
Brackenden Drive409 m
Turn left onto Pump Lane.
Pump Lane193 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Pump Lane.
7 m
Exit the roundabout onto Pump Lane.
Pump Lane391 m
Enter Nabbotts Farm Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Nabbotts Farm Roundabout6 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road530 m
Enter Lawn Lane Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane Roundabout4 m
Exit the roundabout onto Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane890 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Chelmsford · Route 5 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, Generals Lane Roundabout, Lawn Lane Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 10.5 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, 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.
Our Lady Immaculate
Continue to Our Lady Immaculate.
Springfield Hall Roundabout
Continue to Springfield Hall Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Broomfield Road Evangelical
Continue to Broomfield Road Evangelical.
Broomfield Methodist Church
Continue to Broomfield Methodist Church.
Co-operative Funeralcare
Continue to Co-operative Funeralcare.
Rising Sun
Continue to Rising Sun.
Eagle
Continue to Eagle.
Stock Road Interchange
Continue to Stock Road Interchange, taking the junction with good observation.
Generals Lane Roundabout
Continue to Generals Lane Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
St Martins, Little Waltham
Continue to St Martins, Little Waltham.
Essex Regiment Way
Continue to Essex Regiment Way, taking the junction with good observation.
Lawn Lane Roundabout
Continue to Lawn Lane Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Blessed Sacrament
Continue to Blessed Sacrament.
Saint Andrew's, Chelmsford
Continue to Saint Andrew's, Chelmsford.
All Saint's Church
Continue to All Saint's Church.
Writtle United Reformed Church
Continue to Writtle United Reformed Church.
Friends Meeting House
Continue to Friends Meeting House.
Pump Lane
Continue to Pump Lane, taking the junction with good observation.
Lawn Lane Nursery
Finish back near Lawn Lane Nursery, completing the loop.
12 roundabouts · 4 turns · 2 sets of lights
12 roundabouts · 5 turns · 2 sets of lights
14 roundabouts · 4 turns · 2 sets of lights
15 roundabouts · 5 turns · 2 sets of lights
This route is 68.1 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.