Watch driving test routes in Maidstone

Route 1 from Maidstone test centre goes through the town centre along Palace Avenue and Wat Tyler Way, then out via Holland Road and Boxley Road to Penenden Heath. It joins the M20 for one junction, leaves at Running Horse Roundabout and comes back along Royal Engineers' Road and Fairmeadow, with yellow boxes and traffic lights all the way through town.

Filmed in 4K by our driving instructor, with tips on screen at every junction.

With access you tap a time to start the video there.

1. 0:00
   Postley Road

   Out of the test centre and right at the roundabout onto Postley Road. We signal right, look right and give way to traffic on the roundabout.

2. 0:30
   Postley Road parked carsTricky spot 01

   Postley Road is a 20 mph street with cars parked on both sides, ending at a give way junction. Keep your speed well down, look well ahead for oncoming cars and give way before you turn left.

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3. 1:39
   Hayle Road

   The 20 mph zone ends and the limit is 30 mph again. Yellow boxes before and after the lights, where we go straight on from the left lane and enter each box only when our exit is clear.

4. 2:30
   Mill Street

   Mirrors, blind spot and signal right in good time for the right turn into Mill Street. A yellow box across the next junction, then we take the right lane for the right turn onto Palace Avenue.

5. 3:29
   Palace Avenue

   We move back to the left lane when it is safe, pass a yellow box and take the left lane for Wat Tyler Way, checking the left mirror for cyclists.

6. 4:40
   Wat Tyler Way

   In the wrong lane we stay calm and move across only when it is safe. A yellow box at the lights, then left at the lights into Holland Road with a check of the left mirror.

7. 5:46
   Holland Road

   A 30 mph road through houses. We get into the right lane in good time for the right turn into Boxley Road.

8. 7:22
   Well Road right turn into Boxley RoadTricky spot 07

   Two lanes appear before the lights on Well Road. We take the right lane early and turn right across oncoming traffic into Boxley Road when the filter arrow shows.

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9. 7:47
   Boxley Road

   Parked cars on their side, a zebra crossing and temporary traffic lights where we wait at the sign. We let an oncoming car pass a parked van, then turn right at a mini roundabout, giving way to the right.

10. 11:08
    Penenden Heath Road

    A zebra crossing, then first exit at the roundabout onto Bearsted Road, signalling left on the approach.

11. 11:59
    Bearsted Road

    The limit goes up to 40 mph. We stay in the left lane, pass a yellow box, take the first exit at the roundabout onto Detling Lane and follow the lane marked M20 onto the slip road.

12. 13:23
    M20

    We match the speed, check the right mirror and blind spot and merge. We keep to the left lane, watch the signs for variable speed limits and signal left in good time for our exit, slowing down on the slip road.

13. 15:18
    Leaving the M20 at Running Horse RoundaboutTricky spot 14

    The exit from the M20 has a sharp bend, a drop to 40 mph and roundabouts with STAY IN LANE markings. Slow down on the slip road, brake before the bend and keep to your lane all the way round.

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14. 15:31
    Royal Engineers' Road

    The limit is 50 mph here, not 70. We merge into the single carriageway with mirrors and a signal, slow to 40 mph and go straight on at the roundabout from the left lane.

15. 18:13
    Fairmeadow roundabout lanesTricky spot 05

    From a 40 mph road we come straight into a busy roundabout with lane markings for each exit. Slow down early, take the lane marked A229 HAST for Hastings, give way to the right and keep to your lane all the way round.

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16. 18:41
    Fairmeadow

    A queue at the crossing with a flashing amber light, then the limit drops to 30 mph. We follow the lane marked HAST, which bears left, and move over only when the gap is big enough. Yellow boxes at the lights: we enter them only when our exit is clear.

17. 20:56
    Lower Stone Street

    Bishops Way and Palace Avenue lead into Lower Stone Street and Upper Stone Street, with yellow boxes at the lights and the side roads. We move into the right turn lane for Armstrong Road and wait for the green arrow before we turn.

18. 25:31
    Armstrong Road

    Parked cars on both sides on the way back to the test centre. We look well ahead and are ready to wait in a gap.

Every road on this route, in the order you drive them.

1. 1Armstrong Road
2. 2Postley Road
3. 3Hayle RoadA229
4. 4College RoadA229
5. 5Mill StreetA229
6. 6Palace AvenueA229
7. 7Wat Tyler WayA249
8. 8Albion PlaceA249
9. 9Sittingbourne RoadA249
10. 10Holland RoadB2012
11. 11Well RoadB2012
12. 12Boxley Road
13. 13Penenden Heath Road
14. 14Bearsted RoadA249
15. 15Detling LaneA249
16. 16M20
17. 17Royal Engineers' RoadA229
18. 18FairmeadowA229
19. 19Bishops WayA229
20. 20Palace AvenueA229
21. 21Lower Stone StreetA229
22. 22Upper Stone StreetA229
23. 23Loose RoadA229
24. 24Armstrong Road

Route 2 from Maidstone test centre heads south east through Northumberland Road and Willington Street to the 40 mph Sutton Road, then out into the country along Plough Wents Road and Heath Road to Langley Heath. It returns on Linton Road and Loose Road, with traffic lights, zebra crossings and KEEP CLEAR markings before the left turn back into Armstrong Road.

Filmed in 4K by our driving instructor, with tips on screen at every junction.

With access you tap a time to start the video there.

1. 0:00
   Armstrong Road

   A slow queue along Armstrong Road, where we stop so we can still see the tyres of the vehicle ahead. A zebra crossing and a KEEP CLEAR, then the right lane for the right turn at the lights onto Loose Road, giving way to oncoming traffic.

2. 6:27
   Loose Road

   A yellow box, then the left lane going straight on at the lights for Sutton Road. Along Sutton Road we check the left mirror for cyclists before turning left into Northumberland Road.

3. 8:44
   Northumberland Road

   The limit drops to 20 mph, with a zebra crossing and a lorry and parked cars on our side where we give way to oncoming traffic. At the end we creep forward for the right turn onto Willington Street.

4. 10:47
   Willington Street right turnTricky spot 03

   From Northumberland Road you turn right onto Willington Street, a busy road with traffic from both sides. Stop at the give way line and wait patiently for a gap that is safe in both directions.

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5. 11:28
   Willington Street

   A zebra crossing and a yellow box, then two lanes at the lights where we take the left lane and turn left onto Sutton Road, checking the left mirror for cyclists.

6. 14:17
   Sutton Road

   A bus stop where we give priority to a bus pulling away, then two roundabouts straight on, giving way to the right. The limit rises to 40 mph at the signs, and we signal for a sharp right turn into Plough Wents Road, giving way to oncoming traffic.

7. 19:51
   Plough Wents Road

   Parked cars on their side where we have priority but look well ahead, then a narrow road where we slow down for oncoming cars.

8. 22:06
   Heath Road

   A sharp left bend where we brake before the bend, the limit drops to 30 mph through the village and goes back to 40 mph. We queue for the lights and move into the junction for the right turn onto Linton Road.

9. 27:53
   Linton Road right turnTricky spot 11

   At the crossroads with traffic lights you turn right from Heath Road onto Linton Road, often behind another car waiting to turn. Stay behind it, move into the junction when it is your turn and wait for a gap in oncoming traffic.

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10. 28:25
    Linton Road

    A 40 mph road back towards Maidstone, where the limit drops to 30 mph.

11. 30:16
    Loose Road

    Two zebra crossings, a yellow box at the lights and KEEP CLEAR markings where we stop before them in a queue. We stay in the left lane through the lights, let a bus pull away when it is safe and keep left for the left turn into Armstrong Road at the lights.

12. 35:28
    Armstrong Road

    A zebra crossing on the way back to the test centre, where we look for anyone waiting.

Every road on this route, in the order you drive them.

1. 1Armstrong Road
2. 2Loose RoadA229
3. 3Sutton RoadA274

Route 3 from Maidstone test centre is the long rural one. It crosses the town centre along Fairmeadow with its lane markings and yellow boxes, goes out through Boxley Road and Penenden Heath to the 70 mph Detling Lane roundabout, then along Pilgrims Way, a narrow single track lane with blind bends, and through the narrow village street in Boxley. It comes back on Sittingbourne Road and Wat Tyler Way, past the Albion Place lane markings.

Filmed in 4K by our driving instructor, with tips on screen at every junction.

With access you tap a time to start the video there.

1. 0:00
   Postley Road

   Out of the test centre and right at the roundabout onto Postley Road, where a 20 mph zone starts.

2. 0:21
   Postley Road parked carsTricky spot 01

   Postley Road is a 20 mph street with cars parked on both sides, ending at a give way junction. Keep your speed well down, look well ahead for oncoming cars and give way before you turn left.

   Watch the clip
3. 1:43
   Hayle Road

   The 20 mph zone ends and the limit is 30 mph. Two yellow boxes, one at the lights, which we enter only when our exit is clear.

4. 2:34
   College Road and Mill Street

   More yellow boxes at the junction and the lights. We go right at the roundabout, so we move over early from the busy left lane to the right lane.

5. 3:36
   Fairmeadow lane changeTricky spot 02

   On this route we come down Fairmeadow in the lane for the M20 and Chatham, with two yellow boxes and a queue. Read the road markings early, keep to your lane and never stop in a yellow box.

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6. 3:54
   Fairmeadow

   We stay in the middle lane marked M20 Chatham, queue so we can still see the tyres of the car ahead and wait behind the yellow boxes until our exit is clear. The limit rises to 40 mph before the roundabout where we turn right.

7. 5:52
   Staceys Street roundaboutTricky spot 06

   A big two lane roundabout with a red cycle lane on the left. We turn right, so take the right lane early, give way to traffic from the right and check for cyclists before we leave into Staceys Street.

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8. 6:14
   Staceys Street

   Straight on at the next roundabout, giving way to the right, with a zebra crossing straight after it.

9. 6:56
   Lower Boxley Road mini roundaboutTricky spot 08

   You turn right at a mini roundabout on Lower Boxley Road and soon after turn left at the lights onto Boxley Road. Give way to the right, go round the white circle and check your left mirror for cyclists before the left turn.

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10. 7:29
    Boxley Road

    A zebra crossing, then roadworks with temporary lights and single file traffic where we are ready to stop. At the small roundabout we signal right and give way to traffic from the right.

11. 10:09
    Penenden Heath Road

    A zebra crossing, then left at the roundabout onto Bearsted Road, where the limit rises to 40 mph. We wait behind the crossing in busy traffic, let a car pull out and keep to the left lane marked M20 A249.

12. 12:04
    Bearsted Road

    Left at a busy roundabout after waiting for a safe gap, then we stay in the left lane for our exit at the next roundabout.

13. 12:40
    Detling Lane roundaboutTricky spot 13

    Straight off a 70 mph road you reach a large roundabout with a queue and lane markings for each exit. Slow down early, keep a safe gap, look right and stay in your lane on the way round.

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14. 13:24
    Sittingbourne Road

    We join the A249 with a mirror check and match the speed. The limit drops to 50 mph, and we take the left turn lane for Pilgrims Way, braking early.

15. 14:44
    Pilgrims Way

    A narrow lane with a national speed limit we stay well below. We keep left, scan far ahead for oncoming traffic and passing places, and drive so we can stop in the distance we can see. The limit drops to 30 mph, then a sharp left into Styles Lane and a give way onto The Street, where a 20 mph zone starts.

16. 19:19
    The Street

    A 20 mph zone through the village of Boxley. We check the speedometer and keep to 20.

17. 19:36
    The Street narrow roadTricky spot 16

    The Street in Boxley is a narrow 20 mph village road with oncoming cars, then a walled lane where people walk in the road. Keep to 20 mph, slow down for oncoming cars and give people plenty of room.

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18. 21:24
    Boxley Road

    The limit drops to 30 mph, not 40. Left at the roundabout, giving way to the right, then a zebra crossing on Penenden Heath Road before the roundabout onto the A249.

19. 23:35
    Penenden Heath Road roundabout onto the A249Tricky spot 12

    At this busy roundabout we turn right onto the A249, with a KEEP CLEAR marking on the way round. Signal right on the approach, give way to the right and never stop on the KEEP CLEAR.

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20. 23:51
    Sittingbourne Road

    The road goes down to one lane, so we check the mirror and blind spot before moving in. A yellow box at a side road, then a roundabout where we stay calm if we are in the wrong lane and take the left lane marked Hastings.

21. 26:01
    Albion Place lanesTricky spot 04

    Albion Place has lanes marked with place names, a queue and a yellow box close together. Read the markings early, stay in the lane marked HAST for the A229 and only enter the yellow box when your exit is clear.

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22. 26:44
    Wat Tyler Way

    We stay in the A229 lane and turn left at the lights, checking the left mirror and shoulder. A yellow box at the junction on Mote Road, then a give way where we look right and turn left into Upper Stone Street.

23. 29:32
    Upper Stone Street

    A 30 mph road through the shops. We get into position early for the right turn further on: mirrors, right shoulder and signal before moving over.

24. 30:44
    Loose Road

    A yellow box, then the right lane for the right turn at the lights into Armstrong Road. We wait for the green arrow before we turn, and a zebra crossing follows on the way back to the test centre.

Every road on this route, in the order you drive them.

1. 1Armstrong Road
2. 2Postley Road
3. 3Hayle RoadA229

Route 4 from Maidstone test centre is the motorway route. It leaves town over the Broadway bridge, through Bower Mount Road onto the 40 mph London Road, joins the M20 at Coldharbour Lane for one junction and leaves at Cobtree Roundabout. The way back runs along Royal Engineers' Road, the narrow Curzon Road and Hatherall Road, then the Albion Place lane markings and Wat Tyler Way, with yellow boxes at most of the lights.

Filmed in 4K by our driving instructor, with tips on screen at every junction.

With access you tap a time to start the video there.

1. 0:00
   Leaving the test centre

   Right at the roundabout out of the test centre, signalling right and giving way to the right, into the 20 mph zone on Postley Road.

2. 0:38
   Postley Road parked carsTricky spot 01

   Postley Road is a 20 mph street with cars parked on both sides, ending at a give way junction. Keep your speed well down, look well ahead for oncoming cars and give way before you turn left.

   Watch the clip
3. 1:32
   Hayle Road

   Two yellow boxes, before and after the lights, which we enter only when our exit is clear. In the queue we stop where we can still see the tyres of the car in front, and we leave a gap for a car waiting in a side road.

4. 4:12
   College Road

   A yellow box on College Road, which we enter only when our exit is clear.

5. 7:55
   Mill Street and Bishops Way

   A yellow box across the junction and cars ahead still changing lanes, so we cover the brake and leave a big gap. We stay in the left lane for the left turn at the lights onto the bridge, checking the left mirror for cyclists.

6. 10:17
   Broadway

   Over the bridge on the A20, with a KEEP CLEAR marking we do not stop on, even in a queue.

7. 11:36
   Tonbridge Road

   A bus ahead that we let pull away when it is safe, keeping a gap. We signal right in good time for the turn into Bower Mount Road.

8. 12:12
   Bower Mount Road

   A right turn at a junction where hedges limit the view, parked cars on our side where we give way to oncoming traffic, then a give way onto the A20 where we creep forward until we can see.

9. 14:02
   London Road

   A 30 mph road that narrows to one lane twice, where we leave room for merging cars. The limit goes up to 40 mph, a yellow box at a side road, and we keep left where the right lane is for turning right only. Straight on at a roundabout from the left lane, then 60 mph on the approach to the M20 roundabout.

10. 18:42
    London Road M20 roundaboutTricky spot 17

    At the London Road roundabout by the M20 both lanes are marked M20. We take the right lane, keep the KEEP CLEAR on the roundabout free and go a long way round to our exit for Coldharbour Lane.

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11. 19:30
    Joining the M20

    Another roundabout straight after, then the lane signed M20 and the slip road where we build up speed and merge into a safe gap. We stay in the left lane because our exit is the next one, and signal left in good time to leave.

12. 21:20
    Cobtree RoundaboutTricky spot 15

    At the end of the slip road from the M20 there is a queue, lane markings and a busy roundabout. Follow the markings for the A229 to Maidstone, keep a safe gap in the queue and stay in your lane all the way round.

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13. 22:42
    Royal Engineers' Road

    The limit is 50 mph, not 70, then drops to 40 mph. A red light at a crossing, then a roundabout straight after the lights where we look right and go straight on.

14. 25:05
    Staceys Street

    We turn left for Staceys Street from the left lane, slow down for the give way line and look right. The limit drops to 30 mph, with a small roundabout and a zebra crossing.

15. 25:49
    Lower Boxley Road mini roundaboutTricky spot 08

    You turn right at a mini roundabout on Lower Boxley Road and soon after turn left at the lights onto Boxley Road. Give way to the right, go round the white circle and check your left mirror for cyclists before the left turn.

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16. 26:50
    Curzon Road parked carsTricky spot 09

    Curzon Road is a narrow street with cars parked on both sides, ending at a junction where parked cars block the view. Keep your speed low, watch for doors and people, and creep forward at the junction until you can see.

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17. 27:36
    Park Avenue and Hatherall Road

    Left into Park Avenue, then right into Hatherall Road, where we give way to oncoming traffic before passing parked vans. At the end we creep forward slowly for the right turn onto the busy A249.

18. 28:24
    Hatherall Road right turnTricky spot 10

    From Hatherall Road you turn right onto the busy A249 Sittingbourne Road, with fast traffic from both sides. Stop at the give way line, be patient and go without hesitating when it is clear both ways.

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19. 29:22
    Sittingbourne Road

    A yellow box at a side road, then two lanes where the right lane turns right and we go straight on in the left lane.

20. 30:34
    Albion Place lanesTricky spot 04

    Albion Place has lanes marked with place names, a queue and a yellow box close together. Read the markings early, stay in the lane marked HAST for the A229 and only enter the yellow box when your exit is clear.

    Watch the clip
21. 31:42
    Wat Tyler Way

    A yellow box after the lights, which we enter on green only when our exit is clear. Then a give way at the end of Mote Road, where we look right and turn left into Upper Stone Street.

22. 34:02
    Loose Road

    A busy street with shops where we watch for people stepping out between parked cars. A yellow box and a queue, then mirrors, right shoulder and signal before moving into the right turn lane for Armstrong Road.

23. 37:12
    Back to the test centre

    Right at the lights into Armstrong Road, then a zebra crossing on the way back to the test centre.

Every road on this route, in the order you drive them.

1. 1Armstrong Road
2. 2Postley Road
3. 3Hayle RoadA229