While Woking is just a stone’s throw from Guildford, it’s worth noting that many of the test routes from Guildford pass through Woking via the A320. This proximity means that during your test, you’re either just 10 minutes into it or 10 minutes away from its conclusion.
Aside from its connection to HGV testing routes, Woking has its own claim to fame as the setting for H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds. As Richard Burton narrates in the original film, “And the battle commenced on Horsell Common.” If you approach Woking via the A3046 Chobham Road, you can even catch a glimpse of the iconic “Tripod” sculpture, inspired by the alien machines in the story. But I digress!
Woking offers learner drivers some particularly pleasant routes to navigate. While the roads in Woking don’t present any major challenges, it’s crucial to stay alert and focused. Your HGV driver training instructor will guide you on how to manage these routes effectively, so let’s dive into what makes Woking a great location for learning to drive and understanding how long it takes to learn truck driving in the UK.
Key Driving Routes and Tips in Woking
Goldsworth Park:
Park may not pose any significant challenges, but it’s worth mentioning first. With its manageable layout of a few roundabouts and an abundance of left and right turns, it serves as an excellent training ground for novice drivers. The traffic is generally light, except during school start and finish times. It’s especially helpful for practicing key skills like meeting oncoming traffic, navigating around parked cars, stopping and moving off, and executing left and right turns at T-junctions and side roads.
I’ve always found Goldsworth Park to be an invaluable asset for training, particularly when working with learners who don’t speak English as their first language, are nervous behind the wheel, or struggle with judging the vehicle’s length—often leading to clipping kerbs. These practical experiences are crucial for hgv class 1 training and achieving success in HGV training.
Kingfield Road Stop Junction:
Did you know that when approaching a stop junction, you’re expected to apply your handbrake? While it’s not a legal requirement, it’s a recommended practice to demonstrate conclusively that you’ve come to a complete stop—which is a legal obligation. This technique is also emphasized in dvla hgv training programs.
Six Crossroads Roundabout:
This is quite a large and busy roundabout. In my experience, it’s either bustling with fast-moving traffic or relatively quiet. If it’s busy, the best approach is to wait for a clear and obvious opportunity to move safely. Treat this, and any busy junction for that matter, as an exercise in patience.
Here’s a key tip: the examiner doesn’t want you to emerge in front of oncoming traffic. They’ll wait patiently, and so should you.
Old Woking Road:
While this road isn’t particularly challenging, it does require some caution, especially when joining from the Sheerwater or Byfleet end. Its wide layout and 40mph speed limit provide an opportunity to make good progress. However, as you approach Old Woking, the speed limit drops to 30mph—and for good reason. The road narrows significantly and becomes bendy in places.
Be prepared to stop for oncoming traffic, particularly on the narrower sections and bends. Reduce your speed, check your mirrors, and remain mindful of your vehicle’s size, especially its width. Ask yourself: “Am I taking up more than my half of the road?” or “Am I crossing the centre line?” If the answer is yes, slow down or stop to allow oncoming traffic to pass safely. Such attention to detail is a core aspect of hgv driver training.
Navigating Vehicle Size and Challenges
Vehicle Size:
Driving a large vehicle comes with significant responsibility, making it essential for you, as the driver, to be fully familiar with the dimensions of the vehicle you’re operating. Weight and height restrictions are often in place and can directly impact your route and access. Always know your vehicle’s dimensions and remain vigilant for any signage indicating restrictions. Understanding these elements is vital for advancing from class 2 to class 1 hgv driving.
The Jam: remember them? They’re from Woking too!
West Clandon:
Now, let’s talk about West Clandon. Once a popular portion of a test route for both instructors and examiners, it wasn’t as well-loved by residents. The road features several pinch points where goods drivers are expected to give way to oncoming traffic, often leading to a queue of vehicles behind a lorry.
It’s crucial to recognize these pinch points. Keep an eye out for ‘Road Narrows’ signs, and be prepared to stop if necessary. Avoid forcing oncoming traffic onto the footpath by approaching cautiously and giving way when required.
Driving Rules and Situations
Berry Lane:
There are sections of this lane where your vehicle may need to use both sides of the road to avoid trees and hedgerows, which can damage mirrors. The Highway Code advises: “You should always drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear.” However, when your vehicle occupies most of the road, it’s vital to drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely within half the distance you can see to be clear—remember, oncoming traffic will need space and time to stop as well.
Woking Town:
There are several situations in town where you’ll need to stop and give way to oncoming traffic. One such location is Goldsworth Road, which approaches the town from St. Johns. A long row of parked vehicles typically lines the left-hand side, requiring you to stop and give way until it’s clear to proceed.
What’s important to note is that this row of parked vehicles extends all the way to a mini-roundabout. If an oncoming vehicle suddenly appears and continues toward you, your best course of action is to stop before they’re forced onto the footpath to get around you. Stay alert and approach with caution.
Bus Lanes:
There is a bus lane on one of the routes through Woking, located on the A320 as you head toward Staines. If you’re taking the PCV test, you’re allowed to use this lane—even if you’re driving a minibus—because it’s still classified as a bus.
That said, you likely won’t need to use it, as by that stage of the test, you’ll be on the independent driving portion, following signs to Staines or the M25, which will require a different lane.
Bus Stops:
When taking a PCV test in any of the D1, D, or D+E categories, you’ll be asked to stop at several bus stops along your route. There are no tricks in the test, so when you’re directed to stop at a bus stop, you should do so—even if you spot a “local buses only” sign. Failing to stop when directed will prevent the examiner from completing your test.
Also, when asked to find a convenient place to stop, avoid using the bus stops.
Notable Areas to Practice Driving
Fox Corner:
This little village has a sharp 90-degree blind corner, so you should approach with extreme caution—what we call “sneak and peek.” Drive slowly enough that pedestrians can overtake you. If you see something coming, stop and let it pass, as you’ll need both sides of the road to get around the corner. Be mindful not to slow or stop the oncoming traffic, so make absolutely sure it’s clear before proceeding.
Wrong Way:
Taking a wrong turn during your test doesn’t automatically result in a failure, as long as you do so safely. For example, if you’re directed to take the third exit at a roundabout to follow the road ahead but instead take the second exit, you won’t fail—provided you execute the maneuver correctly and safely. The exception is if your mistake leads you to a location with restrictions on your vehicle.
Pedestrians
Never assume that pedestrians know where you’re going, as not all pedestrians are drivers. The Highway Code requires you to give way to pedestrians approaching junctions intending to cross the road. While this primarily applies to side roads and crossroads, it’s also relevant at mini-roundabouts—but only if you can position your vehicle to block overtaking traffic safely.
Exercise extreme caution when doing this, and use your horn (audible warning device) to alert others of potential danger from another moving vehicle.
Why Choose EP Training Services
EP Training Services for your license acquisition is a smart decision. As the local training school, we have unmatched knowledge of the area, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your test. Our instructors are familiar with our vehicles and know how to navigate the local routes effectively, giving you a distinct advantage. Whether you’re aiming for HGV Class 2 or pursuing advanced training, we’ve got you covered.
Conclusion
Beware of agencies—they don’t provide the training themselves. Instead, they act as middlemen, charging you higher fees and then passing your booking to local training centers like ours. This markup can be over £1,000 per booking!
Don’t wait—call EP Training today at 01372 450800 and take the first step toward success.
