To access these pages, find your Driving Test Centre and enter the first part of your post code in the appropriate section.
There are many questions asked on the subject of Driving Test Routes and here we will attempt to deal with the most common.Are there 'official' or 'set' Test Routes?
The answer is 'probably'. For several years prior to October 2010 the Driving Standards Agency published their routes in response to 'Freedom of Information' requests, and it is these previously published documents that are available in the 'archive' section of each Test Centre's Test Route pages on this site. The object of having 'set' routes was twofold. Firstly, to promote consistency and fairness for candidates, secondly, for ease of administration. (Otherwise, when recording faults that failed a candidate, examiners would have to remember and write down the whole route taken in case of an appeal). Even so, examiners were always able to alter or change routes if the need arose.
More recently, especially with the introduction of the 'Independent' section of the Test, examiners have been given more freedom with routes, but still follow 'guidelines' for the same reasons as above. However, as most experienced instructors (who may often sit in on tests) will testify, routes have changed little from those that were published, which is no surprise given that examiners are still subject to the same time and traffic condition restraints.
Do they change them?
Yes, so as not to use the same areas or roads all the time and annoy the residents!
Can I learn them ---?,
It would depend on the Test Centre. At one extreme, in the more remote areas, you cannot help but be practising on a Test Route because there is nowhere else to go! At the other extreme, in large urban areas, there can be as many as 30 routes and it would be impossible to learn them all!
--- and will it help?
Probably not. As with all forms of driving, it doesn't matter how well you know a road or route, you'll never know what's on it! In fact, especially on a Driving Test, finding yourself on a route you know well can give you a false sense of confidence and your concentration could suffer!
The best use of test routes, especially those original DSA documents found in the archives, is to help you get to know the area. The best way to use our 'ehanced' routes, found under the 'view routes' tab, is to save them either for realistic 'mock tests' or to test your readiness for the real thing - your 'co-driver' should comfortably be able to concentrate solely on following and giving directions without having to keep an eye on you!