15 Roads & Junctions To Practice Before Your Driving Test in Lichfield

Whether you are learning to drive in Lichfield or have your practical test booked at the Lichfield Driving Test Centre, it is normal to feel nervous about tackling the local roads. Lichfield has a unique mix of narrow country lanes, busy dual carriageways and awkward junctions that can challenge even the most confident learners. At Rio Driving School, our instructors know these roads inside out and make sure you are fully prepared for the situations you are most likely to face.

Here are 15 of the key roads and junctions around Lichfield that you should practise before your driving test.

Exiting the A38 onto Cappers Lane

One of the first big challenges is learning to manage your speed when leaving the A38. Turning left onto Cappers Lane, the limit immediately drops to 30mph, but many learners fail to slow down quickly enough. It’s not just about easing off the accelerator, you need to actively brake, check your mirrors and demonstrate that you’re in full control of the car. Examiners watch carefully here, as it shows how well you adjust from higher-speed driving to a restricted road.

Have a watch of our recent video in which we explore the most popular test routes, coming from the Lichfield Test Centre. In this short video, we explore some of the common roads and junctions learners will have to navigate, including those highlighted in this article.

End of Cappers Lane towards Rugeley

The roundabout at the end of Cappers Lane is unusual because it isn’t shaped like a typical roundabout. This can make it difficult to position your car properly on the left-hand side. If you drift too far right, you risk cutting across other traffic. Practising smooth steering, looking well ahead and committing to your lane will help you keep control in this awkward section.

Valley Lane and Scotch Orchard

Valley Lane is often packed with parked cars, so you’ll be forced to move out and adjust your positioning repeatedly. This tests your observation and decision-making, particularly with oncoming vehicles. When you reach Scotch Orchard, the examiner may use the slope for a hill start. Good clutch control and awareness of other traffic are crucial here. Learners who have practised this area feel much more confident with stop-start driving in tight residential roads.

Muckley Corner onto the A5 (signposted Tamworth/Wall)

This is one of the trickier dual carriageway sections on the test. Many learners make the mistake of braking on the main A5 carriageway, which is dangerous. Instead, you need to use the slip road to slow down gradually. Strong braking and selecting second gear before the sharp left-hand bend are essential. If you do not show the examiner you can use the road layout properly, it can quickly turn into a serious fault.

(Muckley Corner roundabout which leads onto the A5 – note the signage for Tamworth)

Knowle Lane (narrow country road)

Knowle Lane highlights why rural driving is included in the test. It is narrow, winding and full of passing places. The challenge is knowing when to slow right down, when to tuck into a passing place and when it’s safe to continue. Examiners want to see that you are thinking ahead and not just reacting at the last second. Many learners go too quickly here, which can leave them in difficult situations if another vehicle appears suddenly.

A5206 Cricket Lane

Cricket Lane is regularly used for emergency stops, so you must be prepared to respond instantly to the examiner’s command. At the end of the road there is also a STOP junction, and this is a common fail point. Learners often roll through without coming to a complete stop. Examiners will be looking for a clear pause with the handbrake on if needed, before you edge forward safely.

A51 Tamworth Road

On this stretch the speed limit increases from 30mph to 40mph, but many learners either miss the change or accelerate too late. Examiners want to see you notice and act on the new limit confidently. You may also be asked to pull over here, so you must demonstrate strong mirror checks and smooth rejoining of traffic. Causing other vehicles to slow down or swerve is one of the quickest ways to pick up a serious fault.

(Tamworth Road, note the 40mph speed limit sign on the right hand side of the road)

Ryknild Street Left Turn (at the traffic lights)

This is a popular place for examiners to test a learner’s ability to perform a hill start under pressure. If traffic builds behind you it can feel stressful, but examiners are watching to see that you stick to the basics: good blind spot checks, handbrake control and smooth acceleration. Even if you stall, staying calm and restarting safely is far better than panicking and rushing.

Birmingham Road (A5127) Right Turn

This is a busy crossroad at the traffic lights where hesitation can cost you. Learners sometimes wait too long and miss safe gaps, while others try to go too quickly. The key is balance: commit once it’s safe, steer smoothly and avoid cutting across traffic. Examiners are looking for calm, confident execution here.

Roman Way (Co-op car park)

Immediately after turning left into Roman Way, you’ll see the Co-op car park entrance. The road markings here form a one-way system, and learners often misread them. If you end up in the wrong lane, it’s better to follow it round safely rather than making a sudden correction. Reading the markings early shows the examiner that you are alert and planning ahead.

(Entrance to the Co-op car park, just after turning onto Roman Way)

Wade Street

Wade Street used to be one-way, but now it isn’t. Unfortunately, the markings and signs haven’t been fully updated, which makes it confusing. It’s easy to misjudge your lane or position. Examiners want to see you approach with caution, double-check signage and avoid rushing. Treat it as a test of your observation and adaptability.

The Friary and Bowling Green Roundabout

This roundabout is now light controlled, which should make it simpler, but positioning still causes problems. If you’re asked to follow signs for Rugeley, you’ll need to pick the correct lane early and hold it firmly. Learners who drift across or make late changes often pick up faults here. Practising this roundabout in advance builds both confidence and accuracy.

A51 Western Bypass (by the Hedgehog)

This section is one of the more demanding manoeuvres. You turn right at the lights, then immediately right again across a dual carriageway into Stafford Road. Timing, positioning and judgement are all being tested. Examiners may then ask you to pull over, but it’s important to avoid stopping at the bus stop. Planning ahead and knowing exactly where to position the car makes a big difference here.

(A51 & Western Bypass, Note the Hedgehog pub across from the traffic lights)

Wheel Lane and Grange Lane

Wheel Lane has a strict 20mph limit that many learners miss, especially when concentrating on the narrow layout. You’ll then be asked to take the second left into Grange Lane where a hill start is almost guaranteed. At the top of the road, there is a right turn across the dual carriageway onto A5192 Eastern Avenue. Positioning, timing and strong observations are crucial here. It is a section that combines speed control, clutch balance and safe gap judgement, making it one of the tougher spots in the area.

A5 Watling Street (near the Trooper Pub)

This junction is arguably the hardest challenge in Lichfield. Emerging left onto a busy dual carriageway from a standstill requires quick decision-making and strong acceleration. Learners often either hesitate too long and miss safe gaps, or they go too soon and force other vehicles to slow down. Examiners are testing your ability to read the road, pick a safe moment and get up to speed without delay. Practising this junction is essential if you want to feel confident on test day.

Conclusion

The Lichfield driving test covers a wide variety of roads, from tricky country lanes to demanding dual carriageways. Each of the 15 spots above has its own challenges, and practising them will give you the confidence to handle whatever the examiner asks of you. At Rio Driving School our instructors make sure you know these areas well, so that when test day arrives you feel calm, prepared and ready to pass.