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

Whether you’re learning to drive in Featherstone or you have a driving test booked at the Featherstone test centre, it can be a real nerve-wracking experience trying to get to grips with all the different roads and junctions you’ll be navigating. At Rio Driving School, we’ve spent years helping our learners get confident on some of the trickier and more challenging spots they’ll encounter on their lessons, test route and even when driving once they have already passed. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the key areas in and around Featherstone, where drivers often slip up. By understanding these challenges in advance, you’ll boost your chances of success and approach your Featherstone car driving test with greater confidence.

The Featherstone Driving Test Centre – Turning into Cat & Kittens Lane

Your test begins the moment you exit the Featherstone driving test centre, and right away you’re met with a test of awareness. Turning left onto Cat and Kittens Lane places you on a national speed limit road. This means your observations must be precise and timely before emerging. Quick acceleration is needed, but without rushing.

Shortly after setting off, the speed limit drops to 30 mph. Adjusting your speed promptly here is essential to avoid picking up a fault. As you progress, Cat and Kittens Lane becomes Northycote Lane, home to a deceptively hidden roundabout. It’s easy to misjudge your positioning, especially if you’re asked to turn left. The only clear sign is a yellow bollard that slowly comes into view. While a sat nav can be helpful for early warning, always rely on your own road awareness.

Immediately after that roundabout, you’ll enter Legs Lane. This stretch introduces another potentially tricky roundabout. Learners must obey the road markings closely. If you’re in the wrong lane, avoid making a risky correction. Instead, follow the direction of the lane safely and recover your route later — doing so avoids a potential test failure.

Have a watch of our recent video in which we explore the most popular test routes, coming from the Featherstone 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.

A460 and New Road Junction Hazards

New Road intersects with the A460 at a location that can feel overwhelming. This section includes a solid white line and a box junction. It’s crucial to follow Rule 174 of the Highway Code: never enter the box unless your exit is completely clear. Even if traffic pressures you from behind, don’t proceed unless it’s safe.

Another common sticking point is the right turn by the Post Office, just before the M54 roundabout. This spot also includes a box junction, and the same rule applies. Many learners ask if it’s ever okay to wait inside the box — it isn’t, unless you’re turning right and your exit is unobstructed.

The M54 Roundabout and High-Risk Areas

The M54 roundabout, approached from the A460 heading from Wolverhampton to Cannock, is a high-risk zone. Most learners are instructed to use the right-hand lane, but danger arises from fast-moving vehicles and unpredictable behaviour from others. Some vehicles in the left-hand lane may proceed straight instead of turning onto the motorway. Anticipating the actions of others, checking mirrors frequently and planning ahead will help you stay safe and composed.

The Dodgey Bridge and Old Stafford Road

Not far from the A449 towards Stafford is a locally notorious stretch called the Dodgey Bridge. From Brewed Road, near the 3 Hammers Golf Club, pass the Anchor Inn pub and turn left onto Old Stafford Road. This area is narrow and visibility is limited, particularly near the bridge. Make sure you assess whether you can make it across safely and whether oncoming traffic may also be approaching.

Underhill Lane and the Mini Roundabout

Turning onto the A460 from Underhill Lane comes with its own risks. It’s vital not to cross the solid white line here. At the end of Underhill Lane, there’s a mini roundabout. Avoid driving over the paint and remember — don’t signal when following the road ahead. Instead, keep both hands firmly on the wheel and maintain full control.

Legs Lane Dual Carriageway and Bee Lane

As you continue on Legs Lane, it quietly becomes a dual carriageway, though many learners don’t realise this at first. Recognising this change is important, especially when preparing to turn right toward Bee Lane. Misjudging the road type or the position of your car can lead to hesitation or incorrect decisions.

Stafford Road from Bee Lane

At the end of Bee Lane, you’ll be instructed to turn left onto the A449 Stafford Road. Even though it’s the only legal turn, you still need to check for traffic and use your left signal. It’s easy to miss the traffic lights here during busy times, so stay alert and aware.

 Elston Hall Lane Roundabout via Three Tuns Lane

From Three Tuns Lane, continuing straight on to Elston Hall Lane can be more complicated than it appears. The roundabout is known for catching learners off guard. Make sure you identify your lane early and stick to it. Confidence and control here go a long way.

Paradise Lane Timing from Cat and Kittens Lane

When asked to take the second right onto Paradise Lane from Cat and Kittens Lane, timing your signal correctly is key. Signal too early and you may confuse vehicles behind; signal too late and you might miss the turn. Consistency in mirror checks and indicator use is vital.

Old Stafford Road and Dodgey Bridge Turn

The junction where New Road meets Old Stafford Road brings you back near Dodgey Bridge. The right turn here is notoriously awkward due to its sharp angle and limited visibility. Approach slowly, use your mirrors and make your turn decisively when safe.

Vine Island on the A449

Vine Island is a major roundabout that can be approached from various directions. Understanding how it functions from each approach is crucial. Practise different routes beforehand so you’re not caught by surprise on test day.

Wobaston Road and Pendeford Hall Lane

Wobaston Road is a 30 mph zone where many learners lose focus. Maintain full speed control and stay engaged, especially around the roundabout heading toward Codsall. The lane markings here are reversed compared to what most expect. Turning right opposite the fingerpost onto Pendeford Hall Lane can be easy to miss unless you’re watching the sat nav carefully.

Lawn Lane and Springfield Lane Roundabout Decisions

At the end of Lawn Lane, you’ll need to manage priority junctions before turning right to follow signs to Featherstone. Be sure to select the correct lane at the next roundabout. There are advantages to each, but the key is choosing early and sticking with it. On Springfield Lane, when turning right onto Greenfield Lane, you’ll approach a narrow bridge. Consider who has priority and how long it will take you to cross safely.

Domino’s Roundabout and Primrose Lane

The roundabout near Domino’s Pizza on the A460 is deceptive. When going straight ahead (third exit), stay in your lane and hold your position firmly. If turning right onto Primrose Lane (fourth exit), take it slowly — this becomes a 20 mph zone filled with confusing priority signs. At the end, if turning left, give way appropriately. If turning right, position to the right-hand side. Should you find yourself in the wrong lane, continue safely and adjust later. Don’t risk a fault by correcting dangerously.

Bushbury Lane to Stafford Road (A449)

As you head down Bushbury Lane toward Wolverhampton, be mindful near the KFC and Science Park. If you’re turning right onto the A449, your timing and mirrors are critical. If a driver attempts to overtake on the left, be prepared to delay your manoeuvre or abandon it if it isn’t safe. Sometimes accelerating slightly can help clear the situation — but only if it’s appropriate.

Oxley Moor Road Sharp Turn

After turning left at the traffic lights on Stafford Road near Muby Bass, take the third left after the mini roundabout. This corner is sharper than it appears and the road narrows significantly. The limited visibility means you should reduce your speed and select the right gear to maintain control.

Conclusion

The Featherstone driving test centre can be a problem for many learners, and it’s dismal pass rate of around 33.8% reflects the real challenges faced by learners in this area. The routes are complex and demand solid preparation. At Rio Driving School, we don’t just teach you to pass – we prepare you to drive with confidence. Our instructors guide you through these very routes so that you’re familiar, prepared and fully capable on test day. Book your lesson with us today and master the roads that matter most in your local area.