Original Published Test Routes
Step-by-step directions for all 4 original DVSA-published routes from The Lecture Room, Ballater Fire Station, Anderson Road, Ballater.
S
DTC
Start from test centre
2
Fire Station / Braichlie Rd
Turn left
3
Deebank Rd
At end of road, turn right
4
Salisbury Rd
At end of road, turn right
5
Golf Rd
Turn left
6
Viewfield Place
At end of road, turn left
7
Viewfield Rd / Invercauld Rd
At end of road, turn right
8
Braemar Rd (A93)
Take the 2nd right
9
Golf Rd
Take the 3rd left
10
Braichlie Rd
Take the 2nd right
11
Albert Rd
At end of road, turn left
12
Braichlie Rd
Turn right
13
Victoria Rd / Hawthorn Place
Turn left
14
Hawthorn Grove
Take the 2nd right
15
Sir Patrick Geddies Way
At end of road, turn right
16
Craig View Rd
At end of road, turn left
17
Tullich Rd (A93)
Turn left
18
Pass o Ballater (B972)
At end of road, turn left
19
Braemar Rd (A93)
Take the 2nd right
20
Invercauld Rd / Abergeldie Rd /
Viewfield Rd
Take the 2nd left
21
Queens Rd
At end of road, turn left
22
Invercauld Rd
At end of road, turn left
23
Braemar Rd
Turn right
24
Pass o Ballater (B972)
At end of road, turn right
25
Tullich Rd (A93)
At end of road, turn right
26
Bridge St
Take the 3rd left
27
Victoria Rd
Take the 2nd left
28
Braichlie Rd
F
DTC
Return to test centre
This route is based on older published data. Get the current verified version on the app — with satnav navigation.
S
DTC
Start from test centre
2
Fire Station
Turn left
3
Deebank Rd
At end of road, turn right
4
Salisbury Rd
Take the 2nd right
5
Victoria Rd
Take the 3rd right
6
Bridge St
Take the 2nd left
7
Tullich Rd (A93)
Take the 3rd left
8
Pass o Ballater
At end of road, turn left
9
Braemar Rd (A93)
Take the 2nd left
10
Provost Craig Rd
At end of road, turn right
11
Hawthorn Place / Victoria Rd
Take the 2nd left
12
Braichlie Rd
Turn right
13
Albert Rd
At end of road, turn left
14
Braichlie Rd
At end of road, turn right
15
Golf Rd
Take the 2nd left
16
Braemar Rd (A93)
Turn right
17
Pass o Ballater
At end of road, turn right
18
Tullich Rd (A93)
Turn right
19
Craig View Rd
Take the 2nd left
20
Sir Patrick Geddes Way
At end of road, turn right
21
Provost Craig Rd
At end of road, turn left
22
Braemar Rd (A93)
Take the 2nd right
23
Golf Rd
Take the 2nd left
24
Braichlie Rd
F
DTC
Return to test centre
This route is based on older published data. Get the current verified version on the app — with satnav navigation.
S
DTC
Start from test centre
2
Fire Station / Braichlie Rd
Take the 3rd right
3
Victoria Rd / Hawthorn Place
Turn left
4
Monaltrie Rd / Station Square
Turn right
5
Braemar Rd
Turn right
6
Provost Craig Rd
At end of road, turn right
7
Hawthorn Place
Take the 3rd right
8
Braemar Rd
Turn left
9
Golf Rd
Turn right
10
Braichlie Rd
Turn left
11
Victoria Rd
Take the 2nd right
12
Bridge St
Take the 2nd left
13
Tullich Rd (A93)
Take the 3rd left
14
Pass o Ballater
At end of road, turn left
15
Braemar Rd (A93)
Take the 3rd left
16
Station Square / Monaltrie Rd
Turn right
17
Netherly Place
Turn right
18
Braemar Rd (A93)
Take the 4th right
19
Pass o Ballater
At end of road, turn right
20
Tullich Rd (A93)
At end of road, turn right
21
Bridge St
Take the 3rd left
22
Victoria Rd
Take the 3rd left
23
Salisbury Rd / Anderson Rd
To Fire Station
F
DTC
Return to test centre
This route is based on older published data. Get the current verified version on the app — with satnav navigation.
S
DTC
Start from test centre
2
Fire Station / Braichlie Rd
Take the 4th left
3
Victoria Rd
Turn left
4
Salisbury Rd
Turn left
5
Albert Rd
At end of road, turn left
6
Salisbury Rd
Turn left
7
Deebank Rd
At end of road, turn left
8
Braichlie Rd
Take the 2nd right
9
Victoria Rd
Go ahead
10
Hawthorn Place
At end of road, turn left
11
Hawthorn Grove
At end of road, turn right
12
Braemar Rd (A93)
Turn right
13
Pass o Ballater
At end of road, turn left
14
Tullich Rd / Dinnet
At end of road, turn right
15
South Deeside Rd / Ballater
Take the 4th right
16
Golf Rd
Take the 3rd left
17
Braichlie Rd
F
DTC
Return to test centre
This route is based on older published data. Get the current verified version on the app — with satnav navigation.
Route & Road Guide
Road Type Split
Approximate breakdown based on road names and instructions across all 4 routes.
Residential
100%
What to Expect at Ballater
- At 76%, the pass rate here is 28.1 points above the national average of 47.9% — making Ballater one of the more candidate-friendly centres in the UK.
- Familiarise yourself with Pass O Ballater, Victoria Rd / Hawthorn Place and Provost Craig Rd before your test — they come up repeatedly across the routes and knowing their junctions and speed limits will save you on the day.
- Routes here range from 18 to 29 steps — each has a distinct character, so practising the full set is worth the time.
Tricky Spots on the Ballater Test
Junctions and road sections that appear frequently and catch learners out.
1
Expect Several Tight Turns Around Residential Streets
Ballater’s test routes include many closely spaced turns in quiet residential areas like Braichlie Road, Golf Road, and Victoria Road. These streets can feel narrow and enclosed, so make sure to control your speed, use mirrors early, and watch out for parked cars or unexpected hazards near junctions.
2
Frequent Loops Through the Pass of Ballater (B972)
Most routes involve entering and exiting the B972 Pass of Ballater multiple times. This scenic but winding road demands good control and positioning, especially when rejoining the A93 with sharp EOR turns. Stay alert for changing priorities and remember to pause and assess fully before pulling out.
3
Bridge Street and Tullich Road: A Recurring Complex Junction
Bridge Street and Tullich Road (A93) appear several times across all routes, often as a 3rd left or as part of looping turns. These junctions can get busy or confusing, so plan early, maintain your lane, and avoid last-second decisions when preparing to turn or merge.
4
Unusual Manoeuvres Near Station Square
Several test routes swing past Station Square or use Monaltrie Road in tight sequences with right turns or loops. These spots can feel compressed and busy with locals and parked vehicles, making them ideal locations for examiners to test your ability to remain calm, controlled, and aware.
Most Frequent Roads
These roads appear across the most routes — be sure to practise them.
| Road | Routes | Frequency | Typical Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass o Ballater | 3 / 4 | Left turn | |
| Victoria Rd / Hawthorn Place | 2 / 4 | Left turn | |
| Provost Craig Rd | 2 / 4 | Right turn | |
| Hawthorn Place | 2 / 4 | Right turn | |
| Hawthorn Grove | 2 / 4 | Right turn | |
| Craig View Rd | 2 / 4 | Left turn | |
| Braemar Rd | 2 / 4 | Right turn | |
| Tullich Rd (A93) | 3 / 4 | Left turn | |
| Salisbury Rd | 3 / 4 | Right turn | |
| Braemar Rd (A93) | 4 / 4 | Right turn |
Ballater Test Centre
Address
Ballater Driving Test Centre
The Lecture Room, Ballater Fire Station, Anderson Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5QW
The Lecture Room, Ballater Fire Station, Anderson Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5QW
Phone
Amenities
Toilets
Tests Offered
Car
Opening Hours
- Mon 8:00–16:00
- Tue 8:00–16:00
- Wed 8:00–16:00
- Thu 8:00–16:00
- Fri 8:00–16:00
- Sat Closed
- Sun Closed
Pass Rate
76.0%
vs 47.9% national average
Waiting Time
wks
Latest DVSA data
Routes Available
4
Car
Avg Route Length
24
Steps (18–29 range)