Near Chester test centre
Rated easy from its real manoeuvre load, 2 roundabouts, 17 turns and 2 signalled junctions across 23 navigation steps.
This is an independent 176.6 km practice route near Chester test centre, taking roughly 30 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 Hoole 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 schools, churches, stations 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 Chester 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 263-step drive on real, named roads (about 177.0 km). An indicative practice loop, not an official DVSA route — the roads and junctions are real, the sequence is a rehearsal.
Drive northwest.
53 m
Turn left.
31 m
Turn right onto Chester Gates.
Chester Gates130 m
Turn left onto A5117/Dunkirk Way.
A5117281 m
Enter Dunkirk Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A5117/Dunkirk Way.
Dunkirk Roundabout100 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5117/Dunkirk Way.
A5117125 m
Keep right to stay on A5117/Dunkirk Way.
A5117896 m
Keep right to stay on A5117/Dunkirk Way.
A5117119 m
Turn left onto A540/Parkgate Road.
A540111 m
Enter Parkgate Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Roundabout51 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road2.0 km
Keep right to stay on Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road2.3 km
Keep left to stay on Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road793 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkgate Road/A540.
43 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road1.0 km
Move left onto A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
A511620 m
Turn right to stay on A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
A5116217 m
Enter Fountains Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A5268/Saint Martin's Way.
Fountains Roundabout118 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5268/Saint Martin's Way. Continue on A5268.
A52681.0 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A483/Grosvenor Road.
93 m
Exit the roundabout onto A483/Grosvenor Road.
A483791 m
Turn right to stay on A483/Grosvenor Road.
A48342 m
Enter Overleigh Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Hough Green.
Overleigh Roundabout113 m
Exit the roundabout onto Hough Green.
Hough Green244 m
Keep left to stay on Hough Green.
Hough Green774 m
Move right onto Chester Street.
Chester Street407 m
Keep left to stay on Chester Street.
Chester Street1.4 km
Turn left onto Sandy Lane.
Sandy Lane825 m
Move left onto Boundary Lane.
Boundary Lane1.4 km
Turn right onto Chester Street.
Chester Street554 m
Move left onto Hough Green.
Hough Green1.0 km
Enter Overleigh Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A483/Grosvenor Road.
Overleigh Roundabout1 m
Exit the roundabout onto A483/Grosvenor Road.
A483615 m
Keep left to stay on A483/Grosvenor Road.
A483198 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A5268/Grosvenor Street.
79 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5268/Grosvenor Street. Continue on A5268.
A52681.0 km
Enter The Bars and take the 3rd exit onto A51/Foregate Street.
The Bars145 m
Exit the roundabout onto A51/Foregate Street. Continue on A51.
A51898 m
Turn right onto A51/Challinor Street.
A5167 m
Turn right onto A51/Christleton Road. Continue on A51.
A51920 m
Enter The Bars and take the 2nd exit onto A5268/St. Oswalds Way.
The Bars101 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5268/St. Oswalds Way.
A5268355 m
Enter Hoole Way Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A5268/Hoole Way Roundabout.
Hoole Way Roundabout81 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5268/Hoole Way Roundabout. Continue on A5268.
A5268406 m
Enter Fountains Roundabout and take the 4th exit onto A5268/St Oswalds Way.
Fountains Roundabout147 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5268/St Oswalds Way.
A5268414 m
Enter Hoole Way Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A5268/Hoole Way Roundabout.
Hoole Way Roundabout191 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5268/Hoole Way Roundabout. Continue on A5268.
A5268407 m
Enter Fountains Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
Fountains Roundabout108 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
A51161.2 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Parkgate Road/A540.
80 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road3.0 km
Keep left to stay on Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road1.3 km
Turn left onto Long Lane.
Long Lane640 m
Keep left to stay on Long Lane.
Long Lane106 m
Keep left to stay on Long Lane.
Long Lane54 m
Turn right onto Lodge Lane.
Lodge Lane256 m
Turn left onto Thomas Wedge Road.
Thomas Wedge Road129 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Thomas Wedge Road.
Thomas Wedge Road129 m
Turn right onto Lodge Lane.
Lodge Lane256 m
Turn left onto Long Lane.
Long Lane54 m
Keep left to stay on Long Lane.
Long Lane106 m
Keep straight to stay on Long Lane.
Long Lane640 m
Turn right onto Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road1.3 km
Keep right to stay on Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road2.3 km
Keep left to stay on Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road793 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Countess Way/A5480.
12 m
Exit the roundabout onto Countess Way/A5480.
Countess Way660 m
Enter Bache Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A5116/Liverpool Road.
Bache Roundabout71 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5116/Liverpool Road.
A5116730 m
Turn left onto Brook Lane.
Brook Lane725 m
Turn right onto Ermine Road.
Ermine Road118 m
Turn left onto Woodlands Drive.
Woodlands Drive233 m
Turn right onto Sandileigh.
Sandileigh203 m
Turn left onto Fieldway.
Fieldway209 m
Turn left onto Woodlands Drive.
Woodlands Drive300 m
Turn right onto Ermine Road.
Ermine Road118 m
Turn left onto Brook Lane.
Brook Lane725 m
Turn right onto A5116/Liverpool Road.
A5116688 m
Make a sharp left onto Countess Way/A5480.
Countess Way451 m
Keep left to stay on Countess Way/A5480.
Countess Way109 m
Keep right to stay on Countess Way/A5480.
Countess Way89 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Parkgate Road/A540.
108 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road3.0 km
Keep left to stay on Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road1.3 km
Turn left onto Long Lane.
Long Lane639 m
Keep left to stay on Long Lane.
Long Lane106 m
Keep left to stay on Long Lane.
Long Lane54 m
Turn right onto Lodge Lane.
Lodge Lane256 m
Turn left onto Thomas Wedge Road.
Thomas Wedge Road129 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Thomas Wedge Road.
Thomas Wedge Road129 m
Turn right onto Lodge Lane.
Lodge Lane256 m
Turn left onto Long Lane.
Long Lane54 m
Keep left to stay on Long Lane.
Long Lane106 m
Keep straight to stay on Long Lane.
Long Lane640 m
Turn right onto Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road1.3 km
Keep right to stay on Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road2.3 km
Keep left to stay on Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road792 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Parkgate Road/A540.
43 m
Exit the roundabout onto Parkgate Road/A540.
Parkgate Road998 m
Turn left onto A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
A511648 m
Turn right to stay on A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
A5116217 m
Enter Fountains Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A5268/St Oswalds Way.
Fountains Roundabout12 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5268/St Oswalds Way.
A526858 m
Keep left to stay on A5268/St Oswalds Way.
A5268355 m
Enter Hoole Way Roundabout and take the 1st exit onto A56/Hoole Way.
Hoole Way Roundabout24 m
Exit the roundabout onto A56/Hoole Way.
A56491 m
Keep left to take A56/Hoole Road.
A56345 m
Turn left onto Kilmorey Park Avenue.
Kilmorey Park Avenue193 m
Turn right onto Kilmorey Park Road.
Kilmorey Park Road96 m
Turn left onto A56/Hoole Road.
A561.5 km
Exit the roundabout towards A56/(M53)/Helsby/Frodsham.
A56559 m
Enter Hoole Island Junction and take the 1st exit onto M53.
Hoole Island Junction10 m
Exit the roundabout onto M53.
M535.6 km
Keep right to stay on M53.
M533.1 km
Take exit 9 onto A5032 towards Ellesmere Port Centre.
272 m
Enter Station Road Interchange and take the 1st exit onto Station Road/A5032.
Station Road Interchange8 m
Exit the roundabout onto Station Road/A5032. Continue on A5032.
A5032611 m
Turn left onto Cromwell Road.
Cromwell Road12 m
Keep right to stay on Cromwell Road.
Cromwell Road249 m
Keep right to stay on Cromwell Road.
Cromwell Road38 m
Turn right onto Wellington Road North.
Wellington Road North125 m
Turn right onto Cambridge Road.
Cambridge Road297 m
Turn right onto Whitby Road/A5032. Continue on A5032.
A5032662 m
Enter Station Road Interchange and take the 3rd exit.
Station Road Interchange232 m
Exit the roundabout onto M53.
M538.5 km
Take exit 12 onto A56 towards Chester.
M53415 m
Enter Hoole Island Junction and take the 3rd exit.
Hoole Island Junction189 m
Exit the roundabout towards Chester/Chester Zoo.
A56578 m
Enter Hoole Roundabout and take the 2nd exit towards Chester city centre.
Hoole Roundabout57 m
Exit the roundabout towards Chester city centre.
A56139 m
Keep right to stay on A56/Hoole Road.
A562.0 km
Keep left to take A56/Hoole Way.
A56322 m
Enter Hoole Way Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A5268/Hoole Way Roundabout.
Hoole Way Roundabout129 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5268/Hoole Way Roundabout. Continue on A5268.
A5268407 m
Enter Fountains Roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
Fountains Roundabout108 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
A5116194 m
Turn right to stay on A5116/Upper Northgate Street.
A511647 m
Turn left onto A5116/Liverpool Road.
A511659 m
Keep left to stay on A5116/Liverpool Road.
A5116334 m
Turn left to stay on A5116/Liverpool Road.
A5116726 m
Enter Bache Roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A5116/Liverpool Road.
Bache Roundabout37 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5116/Liverpool Road.
A51161.4 km
Keep right to stay on A5116/Liverpool Road.
A5116607 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto A5116/Liverpool Road.
24 m
Exit the roundabout onto A5116/Liverpool Road.
A5116267 m
Turn left towards NORTH WALES/Birkenhead/(M53)/(M56).
A41573 m
Keep straight to stay on A41/Liverpool Road.
A412.8 km
Enter Backford Cross and take the 6th exit onto Chester Road/A41.
Backford Cross167 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chester Road/A41.
Chester Road902 m
Keep right to stay on Chester Road/A41.
Chester Road1.7 km
Turn left onto Green Lane.
Green Lane53 m
Keep straight to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane111 m
Turn left to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane370 m
Turn left onto Adam Avenue.
Adam Avenue108 m
Turn left onto James Avenue.
James Avenue135 m
Turn left onto Debra Road.
Debra Road65 m
Turn right onto Green Lane.
Green Lane222 m
Turn right to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane40 m
Keep left to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane89 m
Move left to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane38 m
Move left onto Chester Road/A41.
Chester Road289 m
Keep right to stay on Chester Road/A41.
Chester Road1.2 km
Move right onto Red Lion Lane.
Red Lion Lane317 m
Turn right onto Queens Road.
Queens Road118 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Queens Road.
Queens Road118 m
Turn left onto Red Lion Lane.
Red Lion Lane90 m
Turn left onto Kings Road.
Kings Road163 m
Turn left onto Station Road/B5463. Continue on B5463.
B54631.3 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit onto Rossmore Road East/B5463.
32 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rossmore Road East/B5463. Continue on Rossmore Road East.
Rossmore Road East1.4 km
Enter Rossmore Road Interchange and take the 5th exit.
Rossmore Road Interchange256 m
Exit the roundabout onto M53.
M5311.8 km
Take exit 40 onto A51 towards Chester/Nantwich/Whitchurch.
323 m
Enter Vicars Cross and take the 3rd exit towards A51/Chester/Whitchurch.
Vicars Cross180 m
Exit the roundabout towards A51/Chester/Whitchurch.
A51141 m
Keep right to stay on A51/Vicars Cross Road.
A51661 m
Turn right onto Green Lane.
Green Lane82 m
Turn left onto Melrose Avenue.
Melrose Avenue247 m
Turn right onto Queens Road.
Queens Road37 m
Keep right to stay on Queens Road.
Queens Road456 m
Keep right to stay on Queens Road.
Queens Road383 m
Turn left onto Green Lane.
Green Lane74 m
Keep right to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane63 m
Turn left onto A41/Ring Road.
A41793 m
Enter Hoole Roundabout and take the 2nd exit towards Upton/Countess of Chester/Chester Zoo.
Hoole Roundabout44 m
Exit the roundabout towards Upton/Countess of Chester/Chester Zoo.
A412.9 km
Keep left to take A41/Moston Road.
A41144 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit towards NORTH WALES/Birkenhead/Chester (A5116)/(M53, M56).
21 m
Exit the roundabout towards NORTH WALES/Birkenhead/Chester (A5116)/(M53, M56).
A41994 m
Keep straight to take A41/Liverpool Road.
A412.8 km
Enter Backford Cross and take the 2nd exit onto Chester Road/A41.
Backford Cross37 m
Exit the roundabout onto Chester Road/A41.
Chester Road902 m
Keep right to stay on Chester Road/A41.
Chester Road943 m
Keep right to stay on Chester Road/A41.
Chester Road759 m
Turn left onto Green Lane.
Green Lane53 m
Keep straight to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane111 m
Turn left to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane370 m
Turn left onto Adam Avenue.
Adam Avenue108 m
Turn left onto James Avenue.
James Avenue135 m
Turn left onto Debra Road.
Debra Road65 m
Turn right onto Green Lane.
Green Lane222 m
Turn right to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane40 m
Keep left to stay on Green Lane.
Green Lane1.1 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Overpool Road/B5132.
25 m
Exit the roundabout onto Overpool Road/B5132.
Overpool Road1.1 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Rossmore Road East/B5463.
48 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rossmore Road East/B5463.
Rossmore Road East585 m
Turn right onto Rossfield Road.
Rossfield Road701 m
Turn right onto Ross Road.
Ross Road49 m
Turn right.
52 m
Make a right U-turn.
52 m
Turn left onto Ross Road.
Ross Road49 m
Turn left onto Rossfield Road.
Rossfield Road701 m
Turn right onto Rossmore Road East/B5463. Continue on Rossmore Road East.
Rossmore Road East816 m
Enter Rossmore Road Interchange and take the 5th exit.
Rossmore Road Interchange256 m
Exit the roundabout onto M53.
M5311.8 km
Take exit 40 onto A51 towards Chester/Nantwich/Whitchurch.
323 m
Enter Vicars Cross and take the 3rd exit towards A51/Chester/Whitchurch.
Vicars Cross180 m
Exit the roundabout towards A51/Chester/Whitchurch.
A51141 m
Keep right to stay on A51/Vicars Cross Road.
A51740 m
Keep right to stay on A51.
A51315 m
Turn left onto Filkins Lane.
Filkins Lane207 m
Turn left to stay on Filkins Lane.
Filkins Lane143 m
Turn left onto A5115/Christleton Road.
A5115670 m
Move left onto Boughton Heath Junction.
Boughton Heath Junction29 m
Turn left onto A41/Ring Road.
A41746 m
Take the exit on the right.
101 m
Turn right towards A51/Nantwich/Ellesmere Port.
A51166 m
Enter Vicars Cross and take the 1st exit.
Vicars Cross10 m
Exit the roundabout onto A55/North Wales Expressway.
A551.7 km
Continue towards M53/(M56)/Ellesmere Port/Manchester.
M536.0 km
Keep right to stay on M53.
M534.2 km
Take exit 8 towards Netherpool & Rossmore Ind. Estates/Docks.
258 m
Enter Rossmore Road Interchange and take the 1st exit onto Rossmore Road East/B5463.
Rossmore Road Interchange17 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rossmore Road East/B5463. Continue on Rossmore Road East.
Rossmore Road East106 m
Keep left to take Rossmore Road East/B5463.
Rossmore Road East1.3 km
Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit onto Overpool Road/B5132.
14 m
Exit the roundabout onto Overpool Road/B5132.
Overpool Road363 m
Turn right onto Woodchurch Lane.
Woodchurch Lane132 m
Turn right onto Christleton Drive.
Christleton Drive152 m
Make a right U-turn to stay on Christleton Drive.
Christleton Drive284 m
Turn left onto Overpool Road/B5132.
Overpool Road364 m
Enter the roundabout and take the 4th exit onto Rossmore Road East/B5463.
48 m
Exit the roundabout onto Rossmore Road East/B5463. Continue on Rossmore Road East.
Rossmore Road East1.4 km
Enter Rossmore Road Interchange and take the 5th exit.
Rossmore Road Interchange256 m
Exit the roundabout.
11.8 km
Take exit 40 onto A51 towards Chester/Nantwich/Whitchurch.
323 m
Enter Vicars Cross and take the 3rd exit towards A51/Chester/Whitchurch.
Vicars Cross180 m
Exit the roundabout towards A51/Chester/Whitchurch.
A51141 m
Keep right to stay on A51/Vicars Cross Road.
A5121 m
Turn left towards Whitchurch.
A41907 m
Turn right onto Boughton Heath Junction.
Boughton Heath Junction897 m
Turn left onto Stocks Lane.
Stocks Lane167 m
Keep right to stay on Stocks Lane.
Stocks Lane101 m
Turn left onto Stocks Avenue.
Stocks Avenue65 m
Turn left onto Kings Crescent West.
Kings Crescent West129 m
Turn left onto Gerrards Avenue.
Gerrards Avenue72 m
Turn right onto Stocks Lane.
Stocks Lane105 m
Turn left onto A5115/Christleton Road.
A511566 m
Keep right to stay on A5115/Christleton Road.
A5115978 m
Turn left onto Dee Lane.
Dee Lane59 m
You have arrived at your destination.
Directions for the Chester · 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.
Expect busier traffic, pick-ups and pedestrians around these.
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 Hoole Roundabout. Get into the correct lane early and check your exit mirror before leaving.
Dual-carriageway join
About 78.1 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.
Prairie
Start near Prairie.
Reception and Porters' Lodge
Continue to Reception and Porters' Lodge.
St. Mark's Parish Church Saltney
Continue to St. Mark's Parish Church Saltney.
Wesley Methodist Church
Continue to Wesley Methodist Church.
Chester Bus Interchange
Continue to Chester Bus Interchange.
Chester Interchange (Stand M)
Continue to Chester Interchange (Stand M).
New Church
Continue to New Church.
All Saints
Continue to All Saints.
Hoole United Reformed Church
Continue to Hoole United Reformed Church.
Hoole Roundabout
Continue to Hoole Roundabout, taking the junction with good observation.
Ellesmere Port Masjid & Islamic Centre
Continue to Ellesmere Port Masjid & Islamic Centre.
University of Chester
Continue to University of Chester.
Countess
Continue to Countess.
Little Sutton
Continue to Little Sutton.
Piper
Continue to Piper.
Upton Baptist Church
Continue to Upton Baptist Church.
Overpool
Continue to Overpool.
Bridge Inn
Continue to Bridge Inn.
E S Hartley Motorhomes
Continue to E S Hartley Motorhomes.
Peacock
Finish back near Peacock, completing the loop.
2 roundabouts · 22 turns · 5 sets of lights
5 roundabouts · 23 turns · 5 sets of lights
4 roundabouts · 15 turns · 1 set of lights
3 roundabouts · 17 turns · 5 sets of lights
This route is 176.6 km and takes about 30 min to drive at a steady learner pace. It is an independent practice loop near Chester test centre, not an official DVSA route.