If you’re preparing for your practical driving test and live in or around Chelmsford (Essex), it’s vital to be aware of a significant change to the test-venue arrangement. This blog post explains the relocation in detail, how it affects your preparations, and how you can adapt your lessons accordingly.
What’s Changed?
Recent communications from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) confirm that from Monday 21 April 2025, car driving tests for learners who would normally go to Chelmsford are now being conducted at a temporary site:
9 Crittall Road, Witham, CM8 3DR.
The usual test centre at Chelmsford Museum (Oaklands Park) is unavailable due to roadworks in the area.
So, if your test booking still shows “Chelmsford”, make sure you double-check the location—it may now be Witham.
Why This Matters for You
Travel & Arrival – The Witham site is not in Chelmsford, so you’ll need to factor in extra travel time, parking considerations, and potentially unfamiliar access roads.
Familiarity of Route – If you’ve been practising with your instructor around the usual Chelmsford routes, you may now face different starting/exit roads or initial test-centre approaches. That can increase anxiety if you don’t prepare for it.
Parking & On-site Logistics – The DVSA bulletin confirms the temporary site has a waiting room, toilets and parking available. But you should still arrive early to allow for walking from your car and orientation.
Clear Communication – Make sure your instructor, or you if you’re booking individually, have confirmed the shift and planned accordingly. Mistakes in venues have caused last-minute stress for some learners.
What You (and Your Instructor) Should Do to Adapt
- Visit the new test location in advance: Take a short drive to 9 Crittall Road, Witham and familiarise yourself with access, parking and route options.
- Plan your journey from home or lesson pick-up: If you’re based in Chelmsford, map your route to Witham ahead of time and factor in traffic (especially on the A12 or other major links).
- Incorporate lesson time for test-centre travel: Use one of your lessons to practise the drive to Witham so that you arrive relaxed on test day—not rushed.
- Practise on different road types: With the shift in venue you may encounter unfamiliar roads, so your lessons should include dual carriageway, country lane, and Witham area roads as well as the familiar Chelmsford ones.
- Check your confirmation email: Always verify your booking details—especially the test centre address. It’s your responsibility to turn up at the correct location.
- Arrive early and calm: Aim to be at least 10 minutes early, allowing time for parking, walking to the test centre and settling in. A calm start helps you perform better.
- Treat this as a positive: Changing venue might feel like a complication—but it can actually train you for the unexpected. On test day there’s always something new; your experience of “new roads” now gives you a head-start.
If you’re a learner driver in the Chelmsford/Essex area and your test is coming up, don’t wait until test-day to discover this venue change. With the right preparation you’ll walk into your test feeling confident, not blindsided.
At our school, we specialise in driving lessons in Chelmsford that cover not just the usual local routes but also the updated test centre in Witham — so you’ll be ready for whatever the examiner throws at you.
Book your next lesson today and let us help you arrive at your test fully prepared — no surprises, just success.