This route covers more ground than most Oxford test circuits. You leave the Cowley test centre, pick up
the Eastern Bypass heading south, loop through a residential section in Littlemore, take in Heyford Hill
roundabout, head south on the A4074, then work through a chain of roundabouts along Grenoble Road
through the Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys area before returning north. The whole thing takes around 40
minutes.
Oxon Driving Tuitions covers every road on this circuit week in, week out. With a 4.9 Google rating from
258 reviews and over 750 learners passed, we know exactly where people lose marks on this route.
Key takeaways
- Littlemore roundabout appears twice: the outbound leg uses the right lane (Iffley signs), the return uses
the middle lane — different approach each time, same exit number - The Eastern Bypass south requires early lane selection: right lane (road markings say Iffley), move to
middle after the second exit and then to the left lane — exit on the left lane, as the right lane exits as
turning right only - At Heyford Hill roundabout take the second exit via the slip road toward Reading
- Grenoble Road is a 40 mph zone through a chain of roundabouts — build to the limit and hold it
- The B480 roundabout on the return requires a right (follow ring road north) to middle lane shift under the
bridge for the fourth exit north
What does the test route look like from start to finish?
You leave the car park and turn left onto James Wolfe Road. At the end, turn left onto Hollow Way. At the
junction, turn left onto Garsington Road. Shortly after, you reach a B480 roundabout — take the second
exit. That brings you to the Eastern Bypass roundabout, where you take the fourth exit.
From there the route heads south on the Eastern Bypass dual carriageway. Choose the right lane. Once
you pass the second exit, move across to the middle lane and then exit from the right lane at Littlemore
roundabout, taking the third exit.
You then drop into residential Littlemore for a series of turns: left onto Ashhurst Way, right onto Spencer
Crescent, left onto Dashwood Road, right onto Fiennes Road, right onto Ashhurst Way, and right onto
Oxford Road. Oxford Road returns you to Littlemore roundabout for a second time, where you again take
the third exit. From there it is back onto the Eastern Bypass, south through Heyford Hill, south on the
A4074, and into the Grenoble Road chain before looping back to the test centre.
How do you approach Littlemore roundabout on this route?
Littlemore roundabout catches people out because it appears twice, and the technique is not the same
each time.
Outbound, third exit: Use the right lane on approach. The signage at this point points toward Iffley. As you
travel around and pass the second exit, move across to the middle lane and then the left lane. Check your
left mirror and signal left before you exit. The mirror check and signal mid-roundabout is the bit mostpeople drop.
Return leg, third exit: The middle lane is the right approach here. Keep a steady pace, signal as normal,
and exit cleanly.
The Highway Code guidance on roundabout lane discipline makes this point directly: choose your lane
before the roundabout, not as you arrive at it. On Littlemore roundabout outbound, that means committing
to the right lane early enough that you are not still shuffling across as you enter.
What is the residential section in Littlemore like?
After the first Littlemore roundabout exit, the route becomes residential immediately. Left onto Ashhurst
Way, right onto Spencer Crescent, left onto Dashwood Road, right onto Fiennes Road, right back onto
Ashhurst Way, and then right onto Oxford Road. Oxford Road brings you back around to Littlemore
roundabout.
These streets are tight. Parked vehicles, blind junctions, and pedestrians are all realistic hazards. The
speed limit is low and the roads are narrow enough that meeting something coming the other way needs a
confident decision. Candidates who have only practised on the main roads around Cowley find this section
difficult. Candidates who have driven these streets in lessons do not.
What happens at Heyford Hill roundabout?
After the return Littlemore exit, the route joins the Eastern Bypass heading south and arrives at Heyford
Hill roundabout. Take the second exit via the slip road signposted toward Reading.
There are no painted lane markings on Heyford Hill. Your position through the roundabout is the only
reference the examiner has for judging your lane discipline. Stay left on the approach, signal left to take
the slip road, then cancel the signal because you are taking the second exit. Pass the first exit, then signal
left and exit. Drifting across mid-roundabout is the most common fault here.
What does the A4074 and Grenoble Road section involve?
After Heyford Hill, the route picks up the A4074 heading south. Watch for the Cowley exit and take it. At
the roundabout, take the first exit onto Grenoble Road.
Grenoble Road is a 40 mph zone. Build up to the limit once you have cleared the first roundabout — sitting
well below the limit on a clear road attracts a fault for undue hesitation. The road runs through a chain of
roundabouts in the Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys area:
- Grenoble Road roundabout (2nd exit)
- Littlemore roundabout on Grenoble Road (2nd exit)
- Grenoble Road roundabout (2nd exit)
- Blackbird Leys roundabout (2nd exit — keep left)
- Grenoble Road roundabout (2nd exit)
- Greater Leys roundabout (2nd exit)
- Blackbird Leys roundabout (1st exit) onto Watlington Road
The satnav repeating 'second exit' through most of this chain can make candidates switch off. Every
roundabout still requires the full routine: mirror, signal, position, look, emerge. The one that breaks the
pattern — the Blackbird Leys 1st exit onto Watlington Road — is the one that catches people who have
stopped paying attention.
How does the route return to the test centre?
From Watlington Road, you reach the B480 roundabout. Choose the right lane on approach. As you go
under the bridge, shift to the middle lane and take the fourth exit onto the Eastern Bypass heading north.
From there, follow the Eastern Bypass north. Turn left at Headington Hospitals onto Horspath Driftway —
signal left as you approach the slip road, watch for the give way sign, and cancel your signal once you are
on the slip road so you do not mislead drivers behind you. At the mini-roundabout, take the first exit. Pick
up Hollow Way and count three lefts — the third is James Wolfe Road, which brings you back into the test
centre car park.
The DVSA pass rate data for 2024-25 puts the national average at around 50%. The candidates who
move above that are the ones who drive to the same standard at the end of the test as at the start. The
return leg through Horspath Driftway and the car park entrance is not a formality.
How does Oxon Driving Tuitions prepare learners for this test route?
Our instructors cover Garsington Road, the Eastern Bypass, Littlemore roundabout in both directions, the
Grenoble Road chain, and the B480 return as part of regular lesson programmes. Over 750 learners have
passed with us. That pass rate comes from practising the actual roads, not just the theory.
If you are preparing for your test at the Cowley test centre, book your first lesson at
oxondrivingtuitions.com. We will work through this full circuit until every roundabout and every lane
decision feels familiar before test day.
FAQ
What lane do I use at Littlemore roundabout on the outbound leg?
Use the right lane on approach. The signs point toward Iffley. Once you pass the second exit, move to the
middle and then the left lane, check your left mirror and signal left before you exit. The lane transition
mid-roundabout is the part most candidates get wrong.
How many times does this Oxford test route use Littlemore roundabout?
Twice. Outbound you take the third exit toward Iffley from the right lane. On the return you take the third
exit toward Heyford Hill roundabout from the middle lane. The approach is different each time, so practise
both.
What exit do I take at Heyford Hill roundabout on this route?
The second exit via the slip road signposted toward Reading. There are no painted markings on this
roundabout. Your positioning through it is all the examiner has to judge your lane discipline. Stay left and
commit to the line.
What speed limit applies on Grenoble Road?
40 mph on the main sections. Build up to the limit once you have cleared the first roundabout. Sitting below
40 on a clear road ahead can attract a fault for undue hesitation.
What is the lane approach at the B480 roundabout on the return?Choose the right lane on approach (road marking: ring road north). As you go under the bridge, move to
the middle lane to take the fourth exit onto the Eastern Bypass heading north.
What happens after the Headington Hospitals turn?
Turn left onto Horspath Driftway, signal left to take the slip road, be aware of the give way sign, and cancel
your signal once on the slip road as it may mislead other road users. Take the first exit at the
mini-roundabout, pick up Hollow Way, and take the third left onto James Wolfe Road. The test does not
end until the examiner says engine off. Drive the car park entrance as carefully as the rest of the route.
