St Helens (Liverpool)

Somewhere real to practise

6 circuits from the test centre on 1 Navigation Road, off Pocket Nook Street, St Helens, each one 25 minutes or more, taking in the junctions a St Helens test actually uses. Turn by turn, with the roundabout exits numbered, and a manoeuvre to try on each one.

Swap your St Helens 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 · Peasley Cross → Horseshoe Roundabout

Peasley Cross and the Horseshoe

Out through Parr and back by the Linkway. The shortest of the six and the one to drive first.

4.6 milesabout 25 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 the test centre access road 30 yards 30?
2
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Atlas Street 0.2 miles 30
4
Turn right into Parr Street 220 yards 30
5
At Peasley Cross, take the 1st exit onto Peasley Cross Lane 0.6 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
Turn left into Sutton Road 300 yards 30
7
Carry on into Gaskell Street 0.6 miles 30

Signed Granville Street along the way, and it is the same road.
8
Turn right into Chancery Lane 0.3 miles 30
9
Carry on into Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles 30
10
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Newton Road 0.2 miles30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
11
Turn right into Provident Street 270 yards 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30.
12
Turn right into Derbyshire Hill Road 260 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
13
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
14
Carry on into Parr Stocks Road 0.7 miles 30

Signed Chancery Lane and Ashcroft Street along the way, and it is the same road.
15
Turn right into Park Road 220 yards 30
16
Turn left into Pocket Nook Street 370 yards 30
17
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
18
Turn right into the test centre access road 30 yards 30?

Route 2 · Peasley Cross → Sherdley → Horseshoe Roundabout

Peasley Cross, Sherdley and the Horseshoe

The A570 down to Sherdley first, then across to Parr. Six roundabouts in five miles, and traffic at every one.

5.1 milesabout 28 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 30 yards 30?
2
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Atlas Street 0.2 miles 30
4
Turn right into Parr Street 220 yards 30
5
At Peasley Cross, take the 2nd exit onto Linkway East 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Cannington, take the 1st exit onto James Roby Way 310 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, up from 30.
7
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto James Roby Way 370 yards40
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
8
At Sherdley, take the 1st exit onto Sherdley Road 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
9
Carry on into Gaskell Street 0.8 miles 30

Signed Sutton Road and Granville Street along the way, and it is the same road.
10
Turn right into Chancery Lane 0.3 miles 30
11
Carry on into Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles 30
12
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Newton Road 0.2 miles30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
13
Turn right into Provident Street 270 yards 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30.
14
Turn right into Derbyshire Hill Road 260 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
15
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
16
Carry on into Parr Stocks Road 0.7 miles 30

Signed Chancery Lane and Ashcroft Street along the way, and it is the same road.
17
Turn right into Park Road 220 yards 30
18
Turn left into Pocket Nook Street 370 yards 30
19
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
20
Turn right into the test centre access road 30 yards 30?

Route 3 · Cannington → Horseshoe Roundabout

Cannington and the Horseshoe

James Roby Way to Broad Oak Road, taking in seven roundabouts on the way. A steady second drive at town speeds.

5.3 milesabout 27 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 30 yards 30?
2
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Atlas Street 0.2 miles 30
4
Turn right into Parr Street 220 yards 30
5
At Peasley Cross, take the 2nd exit onto Linkway East 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Cannington, take the 1st exit onto James Roby Way 310 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, up from 30.
7
At the roundabout, follow the signs onto A570
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
8
Carry on into A570 120 yards 40
9
Leave the roundabout onto James Roby Way 320 yards 40
10
At Cannington, take the 4th exit onto Linkway East 0.3 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
At Peasley Cross, take the 3rd exit onto Parr Street 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
12
Turn right into Ashcroft Street 340 yards 30
13
Carry on into Parr Stocks Road 0.3 miles 30
14
Turn left into Chancery Lane 0.3 miles 30
15
Carry on into Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles 30
16
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Newton Road 0.2 miles30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
17
Turn right into Provident Street 270 yards 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30.
18
Turn right into Derbyshire Hill Road 260 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
19
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
20
Carry on into Parr Stocks Road 0.7 miles 30

Signed Chancery Lane and Ashcroft Street along the way, and it is the same road.
21
Turn right into Park Road 220 yards 30
22
Turn left into Pocket Nook Street 370 yards 30
23
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
24
Turn right into the test centre access road 30 yards 30?

Route 4 · Sherdley → Horseshoe Roundabout

Sherdley and the Horseshoe

The two ends of what a St Helens test reaches, south then east. Seven roundabouts again, by different roads.

5.7 milesabout 31 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 30 yards 30?
2
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Atlas Street 0.2 miles 30
4
Turn right into Parr Street 220 yards 30
5
At Peasley Cross, take the 2nd exit onto Linkway East 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
At Cannington, take the 1st exit onto James Roby Way 310 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, up from 30.
7
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto James Roby Way 370 yards40
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
8
At Sherdley, take the 2nd exit onto Scorecross 0.4 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
9
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Marshalls Cross Road 80 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
10
Turn left to stay on Marshalls Cross Road 0.4 miles 30
11
Turn right into Sutton Road 300 yards 30
12
Carry on into Gaskell Street 0.6 miles 30

Signed Granville Street along the way, and it is the same road.
13
Turn right into Chancery Lane 0.3 miles 30
14
Carry on into Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles 30
15
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Newton Road 0.2 miles30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
16
Turn right into Provident Street 270 yards 20

The limit here is 20 mph, down from 30.
17
Turn right into Derbyshire Hill Road 260 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, up from 20.
18
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
19
Carry on into Parr Stocks Road 0.7 miles 30

Signed Chancery Lane and Ashcroft Street along the way, and it is the same road.
20
Turn right into Park Road 220 yards 30
21
Turn left into Pocket Nook Street 370 yards 30
22
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
23
Turn right into the test centre access road 30 yards 30?

Route 5 · Peasley Cross → Horseshoe Roundabout → The Landings

Peasley Cross, the Horseshoe and the Landings

Parr first and then back through the town centre past the Landings. Drive this one twice if exits and lane discipline are where the faults come from.

6.4 milesabout 34 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 30 yards 30?
2
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Atlas Street 0.2 miles 30
4
Turn right into Parr Street 220 yards 30
5
At Peasley Cross, take the 1st exit onto Peasley Cross Lane 0.6 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
Turn left into Sutton Road 300 yards 30
7
Carry on into Gaskell Street 0.6 miles 30

Signed Granville Street along the way, and it is the same road.
8
Turn right into Fleet Lane 0.5 miles 30
9
Turn left into Ashtons Green Drive 0.4 miles 30
10
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
Carry on into Parr Stocks Road 0.7 miles 30

Signed Chancery Lane and Ashcroft Street along the way, and it is the same road.
12
Turn left into Parr Street 0.4 miles 30
13
At Peasley Cross, take the 2nd exit onto Linkway East 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
14
At Cannington, take the 3rd exit onto Linkway West 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, up from 30.
15
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto King Street 0.2 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
16
At The Landings, take the 3rd exit onto College Street 50 yards30
No signal on the approach. Keep left unless the markings say otherwise, then signal left after the exit before yours.
17
Turn left to stay on College Street 0.2 miles 30
18
Turn right into Standish Street 0.5 miles 30
19
Carry on into Pocket Nook Street 70 yards 30
20
Turn left into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
21
Turn right into the test centre access road 30 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 · Peasley Cross → Horseshoe Roundabout → Cannington

The long way round Parr

The widest loop the town allows, out east and home by James Roby Way. Worth driving once in the fortnight before the date, because tiredness is what turns a good drive into a careless fault.

6.4 milesabout 34 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 30 yards 30?
2
Turn right into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
3
Turn left into Atlas Street 0.2 miles 30
4
Turn right into Parr Street 220 yards 30
5
At Peasley Cross, take the 1st exit onto Peasley Cross Lane 0.6 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
6
Turn left into Sutton Road 300 yards 30
7
Carry on into Gaskell Street 0.6 miles 30

Signed Granville Street along the way, and it is the same road.
8
Turn right into Fleet Lane 0.5 miles 30
9
Turn left into Ashtons Green Drive 0.4 miles 30
10
At Horseshoe Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Broad Oak Road 0.4 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
11
Carry on into Parr Stocks Road 0.7 miles 30

Signed Chancery Lane and Ashcroft Street along the way, and it is the same road.
12
Turn left into Parr Street 0.4 miles 30
13
At Peasley Cross, take the 2nd exit onto Linkway East 0.3 miles30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
14
At Cannington, take the 3rd exit onto Linkway West 0.4 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, up from 30.
15
Turn right into Chalon Way West 110 yards 30

The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
16
At the roundabout, take the 5th exit onto Chalon Way West 40 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left.
17
Turn left into Linkway West 0.4 miles 30
18
At Cannington, take the 2nd exit onto Linkway East 0.3 miles40
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 40 mph, up from 30.
19
At Peasley Cross, take the 3rd exit onto Parr Street 230 yards30
Approach in the left lane and signal left. The limit here is 30 mph, down from 40.
20
Turn left into Atlas Street 370 yards 30
21
Turn right into Pocket Nook Street 70 yards 30
22
Turn left into Navigation Road 60 yards 30?
23
Turn right into the test centre access road 30 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 St Helens 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 St Helens 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.