Near Chelmsford test centre
Rated moderate from its real manoeuvre load, 12 roundabouts, 4 turns and 2 signalled junctions across 21 navigation steps.
This is an independent 97.1 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 Army & Navy Roundabout, Generals Lane Roundabout, Sandon Interchange, Hawk Hill Roundabout and Rettendon Turnpike 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, 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 246-step drive on real, named roads (about 97.2 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.
Parkway197 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway8 m
Keep left to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway339 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway143 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.
17 m
Turn left.
31 m
Turn left.
29 m
Turn left onto Hoffmanns Way.
Hoffmanns Way14 m
Turn right to stay on Hoffmanns Way.
Hoffmanns Way339 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 Lane332 m
Turn right to take the Chelmer Valley Road ramp.
Chelmer Valley Road271 m
Keep left to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road48 m
Keep left to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road624 m
Keep right to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road403 m
Keep straight to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road99 m
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 Road529 m
Keep right to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road258 m
Enter Lawn Lane Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane Roundabout61 m
Exit the roundabout onto Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane792 m
Turn right onto Waveney Drive.
Waveney Drive21 m
Turn left onto Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane114 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane113 m
Turn right onto Waveney Drive.
Waveney Drive21 m
Turn left onto Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane301 m
Keep right to stay on Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane345 m
Keep right to stay on Lawn Lane.
Lawn Lane73 m
Turn right onto Brackenden Drive.
Brackenden Drive408 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 Road210 m
Keep right to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road177 m
Keep right to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road142 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 Road736 m
Turn left to stay on Chelmer Valley Road/A1016.
Chelmer Valley Road1.4 km
Keep right to stay on A1016.
A1016583 m
Turn right onto Rainsford Road/A1060.
Rainsford Road79 m
Keep right to stay on Rainsford Road/A1060.
Rainsford Road1.2 km
Keep left to take Roxwell Road/A1060.
Roxwell Road692 m
Turn left.
40 m
Make a right U-turn.
39 m
Turn left onto Roxwell Road/A1060.
Roxwell Road340 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Lordship Road.
7 m
Exit the roundabout onto Lordship Road.
Lordship Road542 m
Keep left to stay on Lordship Road.
Lordship Road620 m
Turn left onto The Green.
The Green51 m
Keep straight to stay on The Green.
The Green112 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 Lane71 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Pump Lane.
Pump Lane71 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 Green1.4 km
Keep left to take Writtle Road.
Writtle Road324 m
Turn right onto Westway/A1016.
Westway152 m
Keep left to stay on Westway/A1016.
Westway548 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.
Miami Roundabout51 m
Exit the roundabout onto Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road155 m
Keep straight to stay on Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road547 m
Keep right to stay on Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road542 m
Enter Princes Road Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road Roundabout32 m
Exit the roundabout onto Princes Road/A1114.
Princes Road31 m
Keep right to stay on A1114.
A1114383 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 Way1.6 km
Keep left to stay on Essex Yeomanry Way/A1114.
Essex Yeomanry Way102 m
Keep left to stay on Essex Yeomanry Way/A1114.
Essex Yeomanry Way43 m
Take the exit.
A1060338 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 Road284 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 Road1.1 km
Keep left to take Baddow Road/B1009.
Baddow Road258 m
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.
Parkway23 m
Turn left.
35 m
Make a right U-turn.
35 m
Turn left onto Parkway.
Parkway50 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 Road702 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 Road410 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 Road150 m
Keep right to stay on Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road97 m
Enter Colchester Road Roundabout and take the 5th exit onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road Roundabout80 m
Exit the roundabout onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road234 m
Enter White Hart Lane Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Colchester Road/B1137.
White Hart Lane Roundabout87 m
Exit the roundabout onto Colchester Road/B1137.
Colchester Road562 m
Enter Drovers Way Roundabout and take the 2nd exit.
Drovers Way Roundabout75 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131.
A131314 m
Enter Generals Lane Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A131.
Generals Lane Roundabout118 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131.
A131228 m
Move right onto A131/Boreham Roundabout.
A13182 m
Stay straight to take the A12 ramp.
A123.7 km
Take exit 18.
A12192 m
Take exit 18.
A12126 m
Take exit 18.
A1264 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Sandon Interchange/A414.
125 m
Exit the roundabout onto Sandon Interchange/A414.
Sandon Interchange21 m
Keep right to stay on Sandon Interchange/A414.
Sandon Interchange102 m
Keep left to stay on Sandon Interchange/A414.
Sandon Interchange7 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A12/Chelmsford Bypass.
65 m
Exit the roundabout onto A12/E 30/Chelmsford Bypass.
A123.4 km
Take exit 19.
A12183 m
Take exit 19 on the right.
A12122 m
Take exit 19 on the right.
A12128 m
Enter Drovers Way Roundabout and take the 5th exit onto A131.
Drovers Way Roundabout138 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131.
A131313 m
Enter Generals Lane Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A131.
Generals Lane Roundabout118 m
Exit the roundabout onto A131.
A131228 m
Move right onto A131/Boreham Roundabout.
A13182 m
Stay straight to take the A12 ramp.
A125.2 km
Keep left to stay on A12/E 30/Chelmsford Bypass.
A12297 m
Keep left to stay on A12/E 30/Chelmsford Bypass.
A12218 m
Keep right to stay on A12/E 30/Chelmsford Bypass.
A1283 m
Take exit 17.
A12499 m
Enter Howe Green Interchange and take the 2nd exit onto A130/Rettendon Bypass.
Howe Green Interchange57 m
Exit the roundabout onto A130/Rettendon Bypass.
A1308.7 km
Take the exit.
336 m
Enter Hawk Hill Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Turnpike Link/A1245.
Hawk Hill Roundabout39 m
Exit the roundabout onto Turnpike Link/A1245.
Turnpike Link85 m
Enter Rettendon Turnpike and take the 1st exit onto Runwell Road/A132.
Rettendon Turnpike12 m
Exit the roundabout onto Runwell Road/A132.
Runwell Road359 m
Take the A130 exit on the right.
A1307.7 km
Keep left to stay on A130/Rettendon Bypass.
A130321 m
Keep left to stay on A130/Rettendon Bypass.
A130339 m
Keep left to stay on A130/Rettendon Bypass.
A130294 m
Keep left to stay on A130/Rettendon Bypass.
A130106 m
Keep left to stay on A130/Rettendon Bypass.
A13057 m
Take the exit.
A126.8 km
Take exit 15.
A12143 m
Take exit 15 on the right.
A12103 m
Take exit 15 on the right.
A12274 m
Enter Whites Place Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A414/Webbs Farm Interchange.
Whites Place Roundabout54 m
Exit the roundabout onto A414/Webbs Farm Interchange.
A414153 m
Enter Three Mile Hill Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A414/Three Mile Hill.
Three Mile Hill Roundabout54 m
Exit the roundabout onto A414/Three Mile Hill.
A4143.3 km
Enter Widford Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto London Road/A1114.
Widford Roundabout45 m
Exit the roundabout onto London Road/A1114.
London Road143 m
Enter Britvic Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto London Road/A1114.
Britvic Roundabout67 m
Exit the roundabout onto London Road/A1114.
London Road48 m
Keep right to stay on London Road/A1114.
London Road104 m
Keep left to stay on A1114.
A1114379 m
Enter Miami Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Moulsham Street/B1007.
Miami Roundabout6 m
Exit the roundabout onto Moulsham Street/B1007. Continue on B1007.
B1007515 m
Keep left to stay on New London Road/B1007.
New London Road279 m
Keep left to stay on New London Road/B1007.
New London Road115 m
Keep right to stay on New London Road/B1007.
New London Road713 m
Enter Market Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Parkway/A1060.
Market Roundabout55 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkway/A1060.
Parkway197 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway8 m
Keep left to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway339 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway143 m
Move right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway18 m
Keep right to take Parkway/A1016.
Parkway429 m
Keep left to take Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road98 m
Keep straight to stay on Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road102 m
Keep left to stay on Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road367 m
Keep left to stay on Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road620 m
Turn left onto Patching Hall Lane.
Patching Hall Lane228 m
Turn right onto Rutland Road.
Rutland Road579 m
Keep right to stay on Rutland Road.
Rutland Road1.1 km
Turn left onto Patching Hall Lane.
Patching Hall Lane228 m
Turn right onto Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road534 m
Keep right to stay on Broomfield Road/B1008.
Broomfield Road607 m
Move right onto Parkway/A1016.
Parkway524 m
Keep left to take Parkway/A1060.
Parkway346 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway14 m
Keep right to stay on Parkway/A1060.
Parkway331 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.
Parkway352 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 South106 m
Move right to stay on Victoria Road South/A1099.
Victoria Road South178 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 Street516 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 Road339 m
Keep right to stay on High Bridge Road/A1099.
High Bridge Road41 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 Road344 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 Way13 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Chelmsford · Route 7 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.
Multiple roundabouts
Watch your lane discipline and signalling at Army & Navy Roundabout, Generals Lane Roundabout, Hawk Hill Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 17.7 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, 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.
Our Lady Immaculate
Continue to Our Lady Immaculate.
Lawn Lane Nursery
Continue to Lawn Lane Nursery.
Friends Meeting House
Continue to Friends Meeting House.
All Saint's Church
Continue to All Saint's Church.
Writtle United Reformed Church
Continue to Writtle United Reformed Church.
Army & Navy Roundabout
Continue to Army & Navy Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
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.
Salvation Army
Continue to Salvation Army.
Generals Lane Roundabout
Continue to Generals Lane Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Sandon Interchange
Continue to Sandon Interchange, taking the junction with good observation.
Hawk Hill Roundabout
Continue to Hawk Hill Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Rettendon Turnpike
Continue to Rettendon Turnpike, taking the junction with good observation.
Whites Place Roundabout
Continue to Whites Place Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Rising Sun
Continue to Rising Sun.
Broomfield Road Evangelical
Continue to Broomfield Road Evangelical.
Chelmsford Central Baptist Church
Continue to Chelmsford Central Baptist Church.
Malt Room
Finish back near Malt Room, completing the loop.
12 roundabouts · 5 turns · 2 sets of lights
9 roundabouts · 13 turns · 3 sets of lights
14 roundabouts · 4 turns · 2 sets of lights
15 roundabouts · 5 turns · 2 sets of lights
This route is 97.1 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.