Birmingham (South Yardley)

Somewhere real to practise

5 circuits from the test centre on Clay Lane, South Yardley, each one 39 minutes or more, taking in the junctions a Birmingham test actually uses. Turn by turn, with the roundabout exits numbered, and a manoeuvre to try on each one.

Swap your Birmingham test Straight to the routes

Before you drive any of these

Practising in your own car is legal and it is the cheapest way to get better. The rules are short:

Whoever sits beside you must be over 21, qualified to drive that type of car, and have held their full licence for three years.
The car needs L plates front and rear, and insurance that covers you as a learner. Some insurers also want the supervisor to be over 25.
No motorways. A learner can only go on one with an approved instructor in a dual-control car, so none of these routes touch one.

The rules on GOV.UK

These are not the examiner's routes, and nobody else's are either.

DVSA stopped publishing test routes in 2010 and refuses freedom-of-information requests for them. Since December 2017 four tests in five are led by a sat nav the examiner sets up, so even the examiner's route is not a fixed thing you could learn.

What these are: loops on the real roads around the centre, put together so you meet the junctions, speeds and road types the test actually assesses. Drive the roads, not a sequence.

You drive. Somebody else reads.

Nobody can read a numbered list at 30 mph, and a sat nav will not tell you which exit to take early enough to get in the right lane. So these routes are written for the person in the passenger seat: the supervising driver who has to be there anyway.

Two ways to do that: print the route and put it on their lap, or send it to their phone. Either way they call the turns and you drive.

If the phone and the written steps disagree, the written steps are the route. Google plots its own line between the points we hand it, and it will sometimes take a turn this page would not print.

About the Google Maps links

Google takes nine points per link and plots its own line between them. It is not following our route, it is drawing its own through the same places, and it is bound by none of the rules these pages are built on. Three of those rules matter here: no turn in the road, no motorway, and nothing over 50 mph. A phone can do all three between two of our points.

So the route is handed over in parts rather than one link. Nine points across twelve miles is one every mile and a half, and a mile and a half is enough for a phone to take a different road entirely. Three or four links put a point every four hundred metres or so, and each one sits just past a turn rather than on a roundabout, because a point on a roundabout says you went through it and nothing about which way you left.

That is a much closer line than one link gives. It is still not ours, and on a long straight with no turns in it there is nothing for a waypoint to pin.

Two other things it will not tell you: its travel time assumes a confident driver in clear traffic, so expect ours to be closer; and it will happily route you down something a learner should not be on. Look at it before you set off.

The small map on each route is ours, drawn from the same data. It needs no permission, loads instantly and prints, which is why it is the one you see first.

Route 1 · Swan Island → Robin Hood Island

Swan Island and Robin Hood Island

Down the A4040 from Yardley to Hall Green and back. The shortest of the five and the one to drive first.

7.8 milesabout 39 minup to 30 mph

Maps: part 1 of 3 Maps: part 2 of 3 Maps: part 3 of 3

Google takes nine points per link, so this route is handed over in 3 parts. Drive one, pull in somewhere safe, open the next.

1
Start on Clay Lane 0.5 miles 20
2
Turn left into Coventry Road 110 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
3
Turn left into the test centre access road 380 yards 30
4
At Swan Island, take the 1st exit onto Yardley Road 330 yards30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
5
At Stockfield Road, take the 2nd exit onto Warwick Road
Approach in the right lane, signal right, then signal left once you pass the exit before yours.
6
Turn left to stay on Warwick Road 130 yards 30
7
Turn right into Fox Hollies Road 0.5 miles 30
8
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Fox Hollies Road 0.7 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
9
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Fox Hollies Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
10
Turn left into Stratford Road 0.5 miles 30
11
At Robin Hood Island, take the 4th exit onto Baldwins Lane 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
12
Turn right into Primrose Lane 0.2 miles 30
13
Turn right into Robin Hood Lane 250 yards 30?
14
At Robin Hood Island, take the 3rd exit onto Solihull Lane 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
15
Turn left into Redstone Farm Road 0.5 miles 30
16
Carry on into Gospel Lane 1.2 miles 30
17
Turn right into Warwick Road 100 yards 30
18
Turn left into Lincoln Road 360 yards 30
19
Turn right to stay on Lincoln Road 0.3 miles 30
20
Carry on into Bosworth Road 360 yards 30
21
Turn right into Clay Lane 220 yards 30
22
Turn right to stay on Clay Lane 70 yards 30

Route 2 · Camp Hill Circus → Bordesley Circus

Camp Hill and Bordesley Circus

The Middleway between its two circuses, in traffic that never opens up. Lane discipline is the whole of what it asks.

9.6 milesabout 47 minup to 30 mph

Maps: part 1 of 2 Maps: part 2 of 2

Google takes nine points per link, so this route is handed over in 2 parts. Drive one, pull in somewhere safe, open the next.

1
Start on Clay Lane 0.5 miles 20
2
Turn left into Coventry Road 1.3 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
3
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Small Heath Highway 1.0 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
4
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
5
At Camp Hill Circus, take the 4th exit onto Bordesley Middleway 0.3 miles30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
6
At Bordesley Circus, take the 2nd exit onto Watery Lane Middleway 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
7
At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Watery Lane Middleway 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
8
At Bordesley Circus, take the 2nd exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.9 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
9
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
10
Turn left into an unnamed road 120 yards 30
11
Turn right to stay on an unnamed road 130 yards 30?
12
Turn right into Small Heath Highway 0.5 miles 30
13
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Coventry Road 1.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
14
Turn right into an unnamed road 70 yards 30
15
Turn right into Coventry Road 190 yards 30
16
Turn left into Clay Lane 0.5 miles 30

Route 3 · Saltley Gate → Bordesley Circus

Saltley Gate and Bordesley Circus

North to Saltley and round to Bordesley, through some of the busiest streets in the city. Patience rather than speed.

10.8 milesabout 55 minup to 30 mph

Maps: part 1 of 3 Maps: part 2 of 3 Maps: part 3 of 3

Google takes nine points per link, so this route is handed over in 3 parts. Drive one, pull in somewhere safe, open the next.

1
Start on Clay Lane 0.5 miles 20
2
Turn left into Coventry Road 1.3 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
3
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Coventry Road 0.8 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
4
Turn right into Muntz Street 0.3 miles 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30.
5
Carry on into Bordesley Green Road 1.1 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20. Signed Victoria Street and Ash Road along the way, and it is the same road.
6
Turn right into Adderley Road 0.3 miles 30
7
At Saltley Gate, take the 3rd exit onto Adderley Road 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
8
Turn left into Ash Road 0.3 miles 30
9
Carry on into Bordesley Green Road 0.6 miles 30?
10
Turn right into Bordesley Green 320 yards 30
11
Turn left into Cattell Road 0.4 miles 30
12
Turn right into Coventry Road 0.2 miles 30
13
At Bordesley Circus, take the 3rd exit onto Bordesley Middleway 320 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
14
Carry on into Sampson Road North 0.2 miles 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30. Signed an unnamed road along the way, and it is the same road.
15
Turn left into Henley Street 90 yards 20
16
Carry on into Montgomery Street 0.5 miles 20

Signed South Road along the way, and it is the same road.
17
Turn left into Anderton Road 250 yards 20
18
Turn left into Golden Hillock Road 70 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
19
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
20
Turn left into an unnamed road 120 yards 30
21
Turn right to stay on an unnamed road 130 yards 30?
22
Turn right into Small Heath Highway 0.5 miles 30
23
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Coventry Road 1.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
24
Turn right into an unnamed road 70 yards 30
25
Turn right into Coventry Road 190 yards 30
26
Turn left into Clay Lane 0.5 miles 30

Add a manoeuvre

One will be chosen for you.

Suggested from the map, not from a visit. Look at the road and the signs before you commit to anything, and do not block a driveway or a junction.

Route 4 · Robin Hood Island → Bordesley Circus

Robin Hood Island and Bordesley Circus

Hall Green to the Middleway, the two ends of what a South Yardley test reaches. Longer than the first three, and concentration is most of it.

12.9 milesabout 63 minup to 30 mph

Maps: part 1 of 4 Maps: part 2 of 4 Maps: part 3 of 4 Maps: part 4 of 4

Google takes nine points per link, so this route is handed over in 4 parts. Drive one, pull in somewhere safe, open the next.

1
Start on Clay Lane 70 yards 20
2
Turn left to stay on Clay Lane 220 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
3
Turn left into Bosworth Road 360 yards 30
4
Carry on into Lincoln Road North 0.3 miles 30
5
Turn left into The Avenue 70 yards 30
6
Turn right into Lincoln Road 300 yards 30
7
Turn right into Olton Boulevard East 100 yards 30
8
Turn left into Gospel Lane 1.2 miles 30
9
Carry on into Redstone Farm Road 0.5 miles 30
10
Turn right into Solihull Lane 0.3 miles 30
11
At Robin Hood Island, take the 3rd exit onto Robin Hood Lane 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
12
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Highfield Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
13
Turn right into Stratford Road 0.9 miles 30
14
Turn right into Reddings Lane 0.6 miles 30
15
Turn left into Battery Way 0.3 miles 30?
16
Carry on into Warwick Road 0.3 miles 30

Signed Weston Lane along the way, and it is the same road.
17
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Warwick Road 330 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
18
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Golden Hillock Road 0.6 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
19
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.9 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
20
Turn right to stay on Small Heath Highway 150 yards 30
21
Turn left into Watery Lane Middleway 0.4 miles 30
22
At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Watery Lane Middleway 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
23
At Bordesley Circus, take the 2nd exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.9 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
24
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
25
Turn left into an unnamed road 120 yards 30
26
Turn right to stay on an unnamed road 130 yards 30?
27
Turn right into Small Heath Highway 0.5 miles 30
28
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Coventry Road 1.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
29
Turn right into an unnamed road 70 yards 30
30
Turn right into Coventry Road 190 yards 30
31
Turn left into Clay Lane 0.5 miles 30

Add a manoeuvre

One will be chosen for you.

Suggested from the map, not from a visit. Look at the road and the signs before you commit to anything, and do not block a driveway or a junction.

Route 5 · Swan Island → Robin Hood Island → Bordesley Circus

The long way round the Middleway

Three named islands and thirteen roundabouts, the most of any route here, which makes it longer than a real test. Worth driving once in the fortnight before the date, because tiredness is what turns a good drive into a careless fault.

14.1 milesabout 70 minup to 30 mph

Maps: part 1 of 4 Maps: part 2 of 4 Maps: part 3 of 4 Maps: part 4 of 4

Google takes nine points per link, so this route is handed over in 4 parts. Drive one, pull in somewhere safe, open the next.

1
Start on Clay Lane 0.5 miles 20
2
Turn left into Coventry Road 110 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
3
Turn left into the test centre access road 380 yards 30
4
At Swan Island, take the 1st exit onto Yardley Road 330 yards30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
5
At Stockfield Road, take the 2nd exit onto Warwick Road
Approach in the right lane, signal right, then signal left once you pass the exit before yours.
6
Turn left to stay on Warwick Road 130 yards 30
7
Turn right into Fox Hollies Road 0.5 miles 30
8
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Fox Hollies Road 0.7 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
9
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Fox Hollies Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
10
Turn left into Stratford Road 0.5 miles 30
11
At Robin Hood Island, take the 5th exit onto Robin Hood Lane 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
12
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Highfield Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
13
Turn right into Stratford Road 0.9 miles 30
14
Turn right into Reddings Lane 0.6 miles 30
15
Turn left into Battery Way 0.3 miles 30?
16
Carry on into Warwick Road 0.3 miles 30

Signed Weston Lane along the way, and it is the same road.
17
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Warwick Road 330 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
18
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Golden Hillock Road 0.6 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
19
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.9 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
20
Turn right to stay on Small Heath Highway 150 yards 30
21
Turn left into Watery Lane Middleway 0.4 miles 30
22
At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Watery Lane Middleway 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
23
At Bordesley Circus, take the 2nd exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.9 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
24
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Small Heath Highway 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
25
Turn left into an unnamed road 120 yards 30
26
Turn right to stay on an unnamed road 130 yards 30?
27
Turn right into Small Heath Highway 0.5 miles 30
28
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Coventry Road 1.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
29
Turn right into an unnamed road 70 yards 30
30
Turn right into Coventry Road 190 yards 30
31
Turn left into Clay Lane 0.5 miles 30

Add a manoeuvre

One will be chosen for you.

Suggested from the map, not from a visit. Look at the road and the signs before you commit to anything, and do not block a driveway or a junction.

Before you drive it

Watch somebody else drive Birmingham first

Instructors film these roads constantly. Watch for the roads: which roundabout, which multi-lane approach, where the limit drops. Not for a sequence to memorise, because the sequence is the one thing that changes.

Find more Birmingham route videos

Opens a YouTube search for this centre. A video only goes on this page once somebody here has watched the whole thing.

Where the roads come from

Every road, speed limit, roundabout and car park named on this page comes from OpenStreetMap, used under the Open Database Licence. A speed shown with a question mark is our inference from the road type rather than a signed limit in the data. Trust the signs, not us.

Distances and times are calculated, not driven. The turns between the junctions are worked out by OSRM, an open source router running on that same map data. The times assume town-centre averages, so treat them as a rough guide.

Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it, or fix it in OpenStreetMap and it corrects itself everywhere.