1. By car

Leave the M42 at Junction 4, follow the A34 Coventry Road toward Birmingham, then turn left into the driveway immediately after the Esso garage.

2. By public transport

• Bus – Route 6 (Birmingham ↔ Solihull) and Route 76 (Northfield ↔ Solihull) stop at Shirley Heath / Priory Road, two minutes’ walk from the centre.
• Train – Shirley station (Snow Hill line) is a 15‑minute walk via Haslucks Green Road, or five minutes by Bus 6.

3. Cycling / walking

National Cycle Network Route 5 follows Stratford Road’s advisory lanes. You can also leave the Grand Union Canal tow‑path at Small Heath Bridge and head south for half a mile. Secure bike hoops sit by the reception—bring a lock.

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1. A34 40 → 30 camera zone

Typical slip‑up – Average‑speed cameras outside Shirley Park catch late braking.
Quick fix – Slow before the first 40 mph sign and coast smoothly down to 30 mph.

2. Robin Hood Island spiral lanes

Typical slip‑up – This five‑arm roundabout confuses many; learners drift on exit.
Quick fix – Read lane arrows 100 m out, hold roughly 25 mph and commit to your exit.

3. Blossomfield Road school zone

Typical slip‑up – Parked cars squeeze traffic into single‑file; many fail to give way.
Quick fix – Scan well ahead, give way early, and pass smoothly with caution.

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1. About Shirley Test Centre

A quiet forecourt start helps settle nerves before joining the A34. Examiners love using the on‑site bays for bay parking, but parallel jobs often take place on School Road. The first pull‑out is into a 30 mph stream—so practise slick second‑gear roll‑offs.

2. What to Expect on the Day

Arrive ten minutes early with your provisional licence. You’ll:

• Complete an eyesight check at 20 metres
• Answer one “show me, tell me” safety question
• Perform one reversing manoeuvre (bay or parallel)
• Possibly do an emergency stop
• Drive for about 20 minutes independently via sat‑nav or road signs

3. After You Pass

Shirley’s pass rate sits around 53%, above the national mean. Your examiner will file the result online, and your full photocard normally arrives within two weeks. Consider Pass Plus for motorway confidence on the M42 and compare telematics insurance deals early for the best savings.

4. What If You Don’t Pass?

Not passing can feel discouraging, but DriveBot scans every UK centre for the earliest retest—so you’re back in the driver’s seat fast.

5. Can’t Find Earlier Driving Test Cancellations?

DriveBot constantly scans DVSA systems to deliver:

• Instant alerts when a slot appears
• Flexible filters for centre radius, date range and gearbox
• Zero hassle – DriveBot hunts while you focus on practice

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