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Driving Test Routes: Should You Practise Them?

Every test centre has a set of approved routes. Here's whether knowing them in advance actually helps.

4 min read

Many learners spend significant time trying to memorise their test centre's exact routes. Whether this is the best use of preparation time is worth examining.

The Full Guide

Each DVSA test centre has a set of approved routes, created and reviewed by senior examiners. The routes cover a representative range of road types — residential streets, busy A roads, roundabouts, junctions, town centres. The examiner picks from these routes but isn't obligated to follow the exact route if conditions change (diversions, incidents).

Common Faults

  • Spending too much time memorising routes at the expense of actual driving practice
  • Panicking if the examiner deviates from the expected route

What the Examiner Looks For

  • Correct response to directions — not memorised navigation

Quick Tips

  • 1Practise in the local area around your test centre — this is more valuable than route memorisation
  • 2Missing a turn on the sat-nav route is not a fault
  • 3Focus lesson time on driving technique, not geography
  • 4Ask your instructor to drive you through the test centre area on local roads

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