Gillingham

Somewhere real to practise

6 circuits from the test centre on Unit 1, Astra Park, Courteney Road, each one 22 minutes or more, taking in the junctions a Gillingham test actually uses. Turn by turn, with the roundabout exits numbered, and a manoeuvre to try on each one.

Swap your Gillingham 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 · Bowater Roundabout → Cornwallis Roundabout

Bowater and Cornwallis

Across from Hoath Way to Ito Way on the roads between Rainham and Twydall. The shortest of the six and the one to drive first.

4.6 milesabout 22 minup to 50 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 Courteney Road 0.3 miles 30
2
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 190 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
3
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Twydall Lane 40 yards30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
4
Turn left to stay on Twydall Lane 0.2 miles 30?
5
Turn left into Lewis Avenue 210 yards 30?
6
Turn right into Eastcourt Lane 0.5 miles 30?
7
Turn left into Beechings Way 0.2 miles 30?
8
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 30.
9
At Grange Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
10
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
12
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Courteney Road 200 yards30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
13
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.

Route 2 · Bowater Roundabout → Grange Roundabout

Bowater and Grange

North to the Grange end of the A289 and back, with eight roundabouts on the way. A steady second drive.

5.3 milesabout 27 minup to 50 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 Courteney Road 0.3 miles 30
2
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 190 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
3
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Twydall Lane 40 yards30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
4
Turn left to stay on Twydall Lane 0.2 miles 30?
5
Turn left into Lewis Avenue 210 yards 30?
6
Turn right into Eastcourt Lane 0.5 miles 30?
7
Turn left into Beechings Way 0.2 miles 30?
8
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 30.
9
At Grange Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Gads Hill 0.3 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
10
Turn left into Lower Woodlands Road 260 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
11
Carry on into Woodlands Road 0.6 miles 30?
12
Turn left into Cornwallis Avenue 0.4 miles 30?
13
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 30.
14
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
15
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Courteney Road 200 yards30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
16
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.

Route 3 · Cornwallis Roundabout → Grange Roundabout

Cornwallis and Grange

The A289 between its two big roundabouts, through Twydall. Nine roundabouts, and the traffic does most of the asking.

5.4 milesabout 24 minup to 50 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 Courteney Road 0.3 miles 30
2
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 190 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
3
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
4
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
5
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Grange Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Gads Hill 0.3 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
7
Turn left into Lower Woodlands Road 260 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
8
Carry on into Woodlands Road 0.6 miles 30?
9
Turn left into Cornwallis Avenue 0.4 miles 30?
10
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 30.
11
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
12
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Courteney Road 200 yards30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
13
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.

Route 4 · The Strand Roundabout → Cornwallis Roundabout

The Strand and Cornwallis

Down to the riverside at the Strand and back through Gillingham, eleven roundabouts end to end. Drive this one twice if exits and lane discipline are where the faults come from.

6.3 milesabout 26 minup to 50 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 Courteney Road 0.3 miles 30
2
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 190 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
3
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
4
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
5
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Grange Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Gads Hill 0.8 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
7
Turn left into an unnamed road 30 yards 40
8
At The Strand Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Gads Hill 0.8 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
9
At Grange Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
10
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
12
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Courteney Road 200 yards30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
13
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.

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 · The Strand Roundabout → Bowater Roundabout

The Strand and Bowater

The riverside first and then the full width of Gillingham over to Hoath Way. Eleven roundabouts again, by different roads.

6.9 milesabout 27 minup to 50 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 Courteney Road 0.3 miles 30
2
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 190 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
3
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
4
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
5
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Grange Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Gads Hill 0.8 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
7
Turn left into an unnamed road 30 yards 40
8
At The Strand Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Gads Hill 0.8 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
9
At Grange Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
10
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
12
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Hoath Way 0.6 miles50
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
13
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Hoath Lane 80 yards40?
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50, inferred from the map rather than a sign.
14
Turn left into Courteney Road 0.3 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.

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 6 · Cornwallis Roundabout → Bowater Roundabout → Grange Roundabout

The long way round the Medway towns

Three named junctions and twelve roundabouts, the most of any route here. Worth driving once in the fortnight before the date, because tiredness is what turns a good drive into a careless fault.

7.8 milesabout 35 minup to 50 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 Courteney Road 0.3 miles 30
2
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 190 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
3
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
4
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
5
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Beechings Way 0.2 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 50, inferred from the map rather than a sign.
6
Turn right into Eastcourt Lane 0.7 miles 30?
7
Turn left into Sovereign Boulevard 90 yards 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
8
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 5th exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
9
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
10
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Yokosuka Way 0.6 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
At Grange Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Gads Hill 0.3 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
12
Turn left into Lower Woodlands Road 260 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
13
Carry on into Woodlands Road 0.6 miles 30?
14
Turn left into Cornwallis Avenue 0.4 miles 30?
15
At Cornwallis Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Ito Way 0.7 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 30.
16
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Sovereign Boulevard 0.5 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, down from 50.
17
At Bowater Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Courteney Road 200 yards30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
18
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Courteney Road 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.

Before you drive it

Watch somebody else drive Gillingham 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 Gillingham 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.