Sidcup

Somewhere real to practise

6 circuits from the test centre on 2 Crayside, Five Arches Business Estate, Maidstone Road, each one 44 minutes or more, taking in the junctions a Sidcup test actually uses. Turn by turn, with the roundabout exits numbered, and a manoeuvre to try on each one.

Swap your Sidcup 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 · Ruxley Corner → Orpington War Memorial

Ruxley Corner and the War Memorial

South through St Paul's Cray to Orpington and back. The gentlest of the six and the one to drive first.

9.2 milesabout 44 minup to 40 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 the test centre access road 80 yards 30?
2
Turn left to stay on the test centre access road 320 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Maidstone Road 0.2 miles 30?
4
At Ruxley Corner, take the 3rd exit onto Sandy Lane 0.9 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
5
Turn left into Main Road 0.5 miles 30
6
Turn right into Station Road 220 yards 30
7
Turn left into Sevenoaks Way 200 yards 30
8
Carry on into Cray Avenue 0.9 miles 30
9
Turn right into High Street 50 yards 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
10
Turn right into A208 0.8 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
11
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Sevenoaks Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
12
Turn right into Tower Road 0.3 miles 30
13
Turn right into Station Road 0.3 miles 30
14
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Spur Road 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
15
Turn left into an unnamed road 60 yards 30
16
Turn left into Court Road 0.8 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
17
Carry on into Sevenoaks Way 2.1 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40. Signed Cray Avenue along the way, and it is the same road.
18
At Crittall's Corner, take the 2nd exit onto Cray Road 0.4 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
19
Turn right into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
20
Carry on into Maidstone Road 150 yards 30?
21
Turn left into an unnamed road 180 yards 30?
22
Turn left into the test centre access road 140 yards 30?
23
Turn right to stay on the test centre access road 80 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 · Crittall's Corner → Orpington War Memorial

Crittall's Corner and the War Memorial

The same run south by the other big junction, so the A224 rather than the A223. A sensible second drive.

9.2 milesabout 44 minup to 40 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 the test centre access road 80 yards 30?
2
Turn left to stay on the test centre access road 320 yards 30?
3
Turn right into Maidstone Road 170 yards 30?
4
Carry on into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
5
Turn left into Cray Road 0.4 miles 30?
6
At Crittall's Corner, take the 2nd exit onto Sevenoaks Way 1.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
7
Carry on into Cray Avenue 0.9 miles 30
8
Turn right into High Street 50 yards 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
9
Turn right into A208 0.8 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
10
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Sevenoaks Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
Turn right into Tower Road 0.3 miles 30
12
Turn right into Station Road 0.3 miles 30
13
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Spur Road 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
14
Turn left into an unnamed road 60 yards 30
15
Turn left into Court Road 0.8 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
16
Carry on into Sevenoaks Way 2.1 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40. Signed Cray Avenue along the way, and it is the same road.
17
At Crittall's Corner, take the 2nd exit onto Cray Road 0.4 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
18
Turn right into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
19
Carry on into Maidstone Road 150 yards 30?
20
Turn left into an unnamed road 180 yards 30?
21
Turn left into the test centre access road 140 yards 30?
22
Turn right to stay on the test centre access road 80 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 3 · Ruxley Corner → Crittall's Corner → Orpington War Memorial

Ruxley, Crittall's and the War Memorial

Both of the big Sidcup junctions and then the run to Orpington. Drive this one twice if exits and lane discipline are where the faults come from.

9.4 milesabout 46 minup to 40 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 the test centre access road 80 yards 30?
2
Turn left to stay on the test centre access road 320 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Maidstone Road 0.2 miles 30?
4
At Ruxley Corner, take the 4th exit onto Edgington Way 230 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
5
Turn left to stay on Edgington Way 0.4 miles 30
6
At Crittall's Corner, take the 1st exit onto Sevenoaks Way 1.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
7
Carry on into Cray Avenue 0.9 miles 30
8
Turn right into High Street 50 yards 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
9
Turn right into A208 0.8 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
10
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Sevenoaks Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
Turn right into Tower Road 0.3 miles 30
12
Turn right into Station Road 0.3 miles 30
13
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Spur Road 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
14
Turn left into an unnamed road 60 yards 30
15
Turn left into Court Road 0.8 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
16
Carry on into Sevenoaks Way 2.1 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40. Signed Cray Avenue along the way, and it is the same road.
17
At Crittall's Corner, take the 2nd exit onto Cray Road 0.4 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
18
Turn right into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
19
Carry on into Maidstone Road 150 yards 30?
20
Turn left into an unnamed road 180 yards 30?
21
Turn left into the test centre access road 140 yards 30?
22
Turn right to stay on the test centre access road 80 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 · Frognal Corner → Orpington War Memorial → Crittall's Corner

Frognal, the War Memorial and Crittall's

Frognal first, the long run south, and home by Crittall's. The first of these to meet the faster stretch of the A20.

10.6 milesabout 47 minup to 50 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 the test centre access road 80 yards 30?
2
Turn left to stay on the test centre access road 320 yards 30?
3
Turn right into Maidstone Road 170 yards 30?
4
Carry on into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
5
Turn left into Cray Road 0.4 miles 30?
6
At Crittall's Corner, take the 3rd exit onto A20 0.3 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 30.
7
Turn right into Sidcup By-pass 160 yards 50
8
Turn left into A20 0.3 miles 50
9
At Frognal Corner, take the 1st exit onto Perry Street 0.8 miles30
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 50.
10
Carry on into Bromley Lane 0.3 miles 30?
11
Turn left into Royal Parade 280 yards 30?
12
Carry on into St Pauls Cray Road 1.6 miles 30?

Signed Orpington Road and Chislehurst Road along the way, and it is the same road.
13
At Chislehurst Road, take the 2nd exit onto Mayfield Avenue
Approach in the right lane, signal right, then signal left once you pass the exit before yours.
14
Turn right to stay on Mayfield Avenue 0.5 miles 30
15
Turn left into Lynwood Grove 80 yards 30
16
Turn right into Knoll Rise 330 yards 30
17
Turn right into Orchard Grove 330 yards 30
18
Turn left into Station Road 140 yards 30
19
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Spur Road 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
20
Turn left into an unnamed road 60 yards 30
21
Turn left into Court Road 0.8 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
22
Carry on into Sevenoaks Way 2.1 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40. Signed Cray Avenue along the way, and it is the same road.
23
At Crittall's Corner, take the 2nd exit onto Cray Road 0.4 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
24
Turn right into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
25
Carry on into Maidstone Road 150 yards 30?
26
Turn left into an unnamed road 180 yards 30?
27
Turn left into the test centre access road 140 yards 30?
28
Turn right to stay on the test centre access road 80 yards 30?

Route 5 · Frognal Corner → Orpington War Memorial

Frognal Corner and the War Memorial

The widest loop of the area, out by Chislehurst and back through Orpington. Holding concentration is most of what it asks.

11.4 milesabout 51 minup to 50 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 the test centre access road 80 yards 30?
2
Turn left to stay on the test centre access road 320 yards 30?
3
Turn right into Maidstone Road 170 yards 30?
4
Carry on into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
5
Turn left into Cray Road 0.4 miles 30?
6
At Crittall's Corner, take the 3rd exit onto A20 0.3 miles50
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 50 mph, up from 30.
7
Turn right into Sidcup By-pass 160 yards 50
8
Turn left into A20 0.3 miles 50
9
At Frognal Corner, take the 1st exit onto Perry Street 0.8 miles30
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 50.
10
Carry on into Bromley Lane 0.3 miles 30?
11
Turn left into Royal Parade 280 yards 30?
12
Carry on into St Pauls Cray Road 1.6 miles 30?

Signed Orpington Road and Chislehurst Road along the way, and it is the same road.
13
At Chislehurst Road, take the 2nd exit onto Mayfield Avenue
Approach in the right lane, signal right, then signal left once you pass the exit before yours.
14
Turn right to stay on Mayfield Avenue 0.5 miles 30
15
Turn left into Lynwood Grove 80 yards 30
16
Turn right into Knoll Rise 330 yards 30
17
Turn right into Orchard Grove 330 yards 30
18
Turn right into Station Road 320 yards 30
19
Turn left into Tower Road 0.3 miles 30
20
Turn left into Sevenoaks Road 0.4 miles 30
21
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 3rd exit onto Spur Road 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
22
Turn left into an unnamed road 60 yards 30
23
Turn left into Court Road 0.8 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
24
Carry on into Sevenoaks Way 2.1 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40. Signed Cray Avenue along the way, and it is the same road.
25
At Crittall's Corner, take the 2nd exit onto Cray Road 0.4 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
26
Turn right into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
27
Carry on into Maidstone Road 150 yards 30?
28
Turn left into an unnamed road 180 yards 30?
29
Turn left into the test centre access road 140 yards 30?
30
Turn right to stay on the test centre access road 80 yards 30?

Route 6 · Frognal Corner → Ruxley Corner → Orpington War Memorial

The long way round by Orpington

Three named corners and the longest drive 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.

12.1 milesabout 54 minup to 50 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 the test centre access road 80 yards 30?
2
Turn left to stay on the test centre access road 320 yards 30?
3
Turn right into Maidstone Road 170 yards 30?
4
Carry on into Sidcup Hill 0.8 miles 30?

Signed Foots Cray High Street and High Street along the way, and it is the same road.
5
Turn left into Church Road 130 yards 30?
6
Carry on into The Green 290 yards 30?
7
Turn left into Chislehurst Road 0.4 miles 30?
8
At Frognal Corner, take the 1st exit onto A20 0.3 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 30.
9
Turn right into Sidcup By-pass 120 yards 50
10
Turn left into A20 0.3 miles 50
11
At Crittall's Corner, take the 1st exit onto Cray Road 0.4 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.
12
Turn right into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
13
Carry on into Maidstone Road 0.3 miles 30?
14
At Ruxley Corner, take the 3rd exit onto Sandy Lane 0.9 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
15
Turn left into Main Road 0.5 miles 30
16
Turn right into Station Road 220 yards 30
17
Turn left into Sevenoaks Way 200 yards 30
18
Carry on into Cray Avenue 0.9 miles 30
19
Turn right into High Street 50 yards 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
20
Turn right into A208 0.8 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
21
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Sevenoaks Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
22
Turn right into Tower Road 0.3 miles 30
23
Turn right into Station Road 0.3 miles 30
24
At Orpington War Memorial, take the 2nd exit onto Spur Road 0.5 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
25
Turn left into an unnamed road 60 yards 30
26
Turn left into Court Road 0.8 miles 40

The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
27
Carry on into Sevenoaks Way 2.1 miles 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40. Signed Cray Avenue along the way, and it is the same road.
28
At Crittall's Corner, take the 2nd exit onto Cray Road 0.4 miles30?
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
29
Turn right into Foots Cray High Street 200 yards 30?
30
Carry on into Maidstone Road 150 yards 30?
31
Turn left into an unnamed road 180 yards 30?
32
Turn left into the test centre access road 140 yards 30?
33
Turn right to stay on the test centre access road 80 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.

Before you drive it

Watch somebody else drive Sidcup 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 Sidcup 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.