Leicester (Wigston)

Somewhere real to practise

6 circuits from the test centre on Tigers Road, off Saffron Road, South Wigston, Leicester, each one 27 minutes or more, taking in the junctions a Leicester test actually uses. Turn by turn, with the roundabout exits numbered, and a manoeuvre to try on each one.

Swap your Leicester 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.

About the Google Maps links

Google plots its own line between the corners we give it, so the written steps are the route and the map is for orientation and for getting the thing onto a phone.

Two 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 · Wakes Road Roundabout → Windley Road Roundabout

Wakes Road and Windley Road

Through Wigston and back on roads that never leave thirty. The shortest of the six and the one to drive first.

5.8 milesabout 28 minup to 30 mph

Open in Maps

1
Start on the test centre access road 120 yards 30?
2
Turn left into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
3
Turn right into Saffron Road 0.3 miles 30?
4
Turn left into St Thomas Road 80 yards 30?
5
Carry on into Blaby Road 0.3 miles 30?
6
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Blaby Road 0.7 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
7
Carry on into Bushloe End 230 yards 30?
8
Turn left into Long Street 0.3 miles 30?
9
Carry on into Leicester Road 320 yards 20?

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30, inferred from the map rather than a sign.
10
Turn right into Wakes Road 160 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
11
At Wakes Road Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Bull Head Street 0.2 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
12
Turn right into Paddock Street 230 yards 30?
13
Turn right into Long Street 160 yards 30?
14
Turn left into Aylestone Lane 1.0 miles 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30.
15
Carry on into Stonesby Avenue 180 yards 30?

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20, inferred from the map rather than a sign.
16
Turn right into Windley Road 0.3 miles 30?
17
At Windley Road Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Attlee Way 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
18
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Saffron Lane 0.5 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
19
Carry on into Saffron Road 0.4 miles 30?
20
Turn right into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
21
Turn right into the test centre access road 120 yards 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 2 · Pork Pie Roundabout → Everard's Roundabout

Pork Pie and Everard's

Out onto the A563 ring road and round to Narborough Road, which is the first of these to ask for real speed. A sensible second drive once Pork Pie has stopped being an event.

6.8 milesabout 27 minup to 50 mph

Open in Maps

1
Start on the test centre access road 120 yards 30?
2
Turn left into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Saffron Road 0.4 miles 30?
4
Carry on into Saffron Lane 0.5 miles 30?
5
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Glenhills Way 0.7 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
Carry on into Soar Valley Way 1.1 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
7
At Everard's Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Lubbesthorpe Way 0.4 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.
8
At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Lubbesthorpe Way 0.4 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
9
At Everard's Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Soar Valley Way 1.1 miles50
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
10
Carry on into Glenhills Way 210 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 50.
11
Turn right into Sturdee Road 0.9 miles 30?
12
Turn right into Saffron Road 0.5 miles 30?
13
Turn right into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
14
Turn right into the test centre access road 120 yards 30?

Route 3 · Foxhunter Roundabout → Pork Pie Roundabout

Foxhunter and Pork Pie

South to Narborough and back up to Pork Pie, taking in seven roundabouts on the way. Busy rather than quick for most of it.

8.6 milesabout 36 minup to 50 mph

Open in Maps

1
Start on the test centre access road 120 yards 30?
2
Turn left into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
3
Turn right into Saffron Road 0.3 miles 30?
4
Turn right into St Thomas Road 360 yards 30?
5
Carry on into Little Glen Road 1.0 miles 30?
6
Turn left into Leicester Road 360 yards 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
7
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Blaby Bypass 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
8
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto B582 1.1 miles30?
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
9
At Foxhunter Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto St Johns 0.6 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 30.
10
Carry on into Narborough Road South 0.3 miles 50
11
At Everard's Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Soar Valley Way 1.1 miles50
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
12
Carry on into Glenhills Way 0.7 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 50.
13
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Attlee Way 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
14
At Windley Road Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Attlee Way 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
15
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Saffron Lane 0.5 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
16
Carry on into Saffron Road 0.4 miles 30?
17
Turn right into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
18
Turn right into the test centre access road 120 yards 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 · Windley Road Roundabout → Foxhunter Roundabout

Windley Road and Foxhunter

The ring road south and then the B roads through Blaby, which is a change of character halfway round. Longer than the first three.

10 milesabout 41 minup to 50 mph

Open in Maps

1
Start on the test centre access road 120 yards 30?
2
Turn left into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Saffron Road 0.4 miles 30?
4
Carry on into Saffron Lane 0.5 miles 30?
5
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Attlee Way 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Windley Road Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Attlee Way 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
7
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Glenhills Way 0.7 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
8
Carry on into Soar Valley Way 1.1 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
9
Turn left into St Johns 0.2 miles 50

The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
10
Turn left to stay on St Johns 0.7 miles 50
11
At Foxhunter Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Leicester Road 0.5 miles40
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.
12
Turn right into King Edward Avenue 60 yards 40
13
Turn right to stay on King Edward Avenue 0.5 miles 40?
14
Carry on into Leicester Road 0.4 miles 40
15
At Foxhunter Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Enderby Road 1.0 miles40?
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
16
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Blaby Bypass 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
17
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Leicester Road 360 yards40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
18
Turn right into Little Glen Road 1.0 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
19
Carry on into St Thomas Road 360 yards 30?
20
Turn left into Saffron Road 0.3 miles 30?
21
Turn left into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
22
Turn right into the test centre access road 120 yards 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 · Pork Pie Roundabout → Windley Road Roundabout → Foxhunter Roundabout

Pork Pie, Windley Road and Foxhunter

Three named roundabouts one after another, most of it on the A563. Drive this one twice if exits and lane discipline are where the faults come from.

10.3 milesabout 42 minup to 50 mph

Open in Maps

1
Start on the test centre access road 120 yards 30?
2
Turn left into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Saffron Road 0.4 miles 30?
4
Carry on into Saffron Lane 0.5 miles 30?
5
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Attlee Way 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Windley Road Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Windley Road 0.3 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
7
Turn right into Stonesby Avenue 0.6 miles 30
8
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Glenhills Way 0.7 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
9
Carry on into Soar Valley Way 1.1 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
10
Turn left into St Johns 0.2 miles 50

The limit here is 50 mph, up from 40.
11
Turn left to stay on St Johns 0.7 miles 50
12
At Foxhunter Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Leicester Road 0.5 miles40
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.
13
Turn right into King Edward Avenue 60 yards 40
14
Turn right to stay on King Edward Avenue 0.5 miles 40?
15
Carry on into Leicester Road 0.4 miles 40
16
At Foxhunter Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Enderby Road 1.0 miles40?
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
17
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Blaby Bypass 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
18
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Leicester Road 360 yards40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
19
Turn right into Little Glen Road 1.0 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
20
Carry on into St Thomas Road 360 yards 30?
21
Turn left into Saffron Road 0.3 miles 30?
22
Turn left into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
23
Turn right into the test centre access road 120 yards 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 6 · Pork Pie Roundabout → Wakes Road Roundabout → Everard's Roundabout

The long way round the ring road

Pork Pie, back through Wigston and out to Everard's, 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.

11.3 milesabout 49 minup to 50 mph

Open in Maps

1
Start on the test centre access road 120 yards 30?
2
Turn left into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Saffron Road 0.4 miles 30?
4
Carry on into Saffron Lane 0.5 miles 30?
5
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Attlee Way 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Windley Road Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Windley Road 0.3 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
7
Turn left into Stonesby Avenue 180 yards 30
8
Carry on into Aylestone Lane 1.0 miles 30?
9
Turn left into Leicester Road 240 yards 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30.
10
Turn right into Wakes Road 160 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
11
At Wakes Road Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Bull Head Street 0.2 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
12
Turn right into Paddock Street 230 yards 30?
13
Turn right into Long Street 160 yards 30?
14
Turn left into Aylestone Lane 1.0 miles 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30.
15
Carry on into Stonesby Avenue 0.7 miles 30?

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20, inferred from the map rather than a sign.
16
At Pork Pie Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Glenhills Way 0.7 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
17
Carry on into Soar Valley Way 1.1 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
18
At Everard's Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Lubbesthorpe Way 0.4 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.
19
At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Lubbesthorpe Way 0.4 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
20
At Everard's Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Soar Valley Way 1.1 miles50
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
21
Carry on into Glenhills Way 210 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 50.
22
Turn right into Sturdee Road 0.9 miles 30?
23
Turn right into Saffron Road 0.5 miles 30?
24
Turn right into Tigers Road 260 yards 30?
25
Turn right into the test centre access road 120 yards 30?

Before you drive it

Watch somebody else drive Leicester 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 Leicester 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.