The Watnall Driving Test Centre became a full time test centre in 2014 (it was also used as a temporary test centre in 2013) and provides a far more convenient venue for people living in parts of NG5, NG6, NG8 and NG16 to take their practical test (especially now that the test centre at Beeston has been relocated to Chilwell).
Since 2013 , I have taken several people to test at Watnall and have developed a knowledge of the test area over the years. The area around Watnall has a more rural feel to it than the other Nottingham based test centres. The test centre has recently relocated its car parking spaces and now has 18 bays (8 on the left and 10 on the right), but all the bays are on the narrow side (e.g. at Chilwell most bays are at least 10% wider than at Watnall). The waiting room is a small room, in a small building across from the car park (with access to toilets). Leaving the test centre, you can either turn left (towards Kimberley, Nuthall, including Nuthall roundabout, Bulwell and possibly Ilkeston) or right (towards Hucknall or Eastwood). The test routes I have experienced from Watnall mainly involved driving to Hucknall, Underwood, Eastwood, Langley Mill, Ilkeston, Bulwell, Strelley and the outskirts of Wollaton and included the areas of Kimberley and Nuthall.
Like most test centres, Watnall has about 25 different test routes. Routes are not published and are updated from time to time. While it is not sensible to prepare for a test by simply travelling around/trying to memorise test routes, it is helpful to be familiar with the general test area as it includes many quirky roads (like one-way systems in Hucknall) and junctions (with STOP or No Entry signs) and, especially, Nuthall Roundabout. This roundabout looks very complex but is traffic light controlled from all but one direction and is remarkably easy to travel around with a bit of practise (providing you understand the lane disciplines required from each direction) and is far easier than some of the roundabouts experienced on some of the routes from the test centre at Chilwell).
If you are not familiar with the Watnall Test Centre area and have a test booked there, you might want to consider booking a lesson or two with me to explore some of the test area. Please be aware that, while I do not provide my car for use at a test for people who have already booked a test, I do offer a mock test service (subject to mutual availability). If you are interested, please contact me using my contact form, by telephone or send me a message (text or WhatsApp) using any of the contact details at the bottom of this page.