This 8.4-mile, 27-minute route heads west through Toton residential streets (Rutland Avenue, Banks Road, Woodstock Road) before joining Toton Lane and the A52 Brian Clough Way to Sandiacre, returning via Bostock's Lane and Brookhill Street. Speeds range from 30 to 70 mph including 60 mph sections on the A52. With 8 left turns, 8 right turns, 4 roundabouts, and 23 signals, it is well balanced. Similar to Route 699 which also loops through Sandiacre, but Route 704 adds residential detours through Toton side streets and Darley Avenue for extra turning practice.

Watch Out For

• Sandown Road / Banks Road area. Quiet residential streets with cars parked on both sides. Width restrictions mean you may face oncoming traffic head-on between parked cars.
• Brian Clough Way (A52) merge. Build speed quickly on the slip road. Traffic flows fast and gaps close rapidly. Check your right mirror and blind spot before merging.
• Derby Road, Sandiacre. Tight village street with a 30 mph limit. Parked vehicles create single-lane pinch points. Give way to oncoming traffic where necessary.
• Brookhill Street. Residential road with a gentle curve and parked cars obscuring side road junctions. Reduce speed and watch for vehicles pulling out.
• Darley Avenue, Toton. Suburban cul-de-sac area with children playing. Drive at 20 mph and be ready to stop.

Route Features

• Equal left and right turns (8 each) for balanced practice
• A52 dual carriageway at 60-70 mph
• Residential navigation through Toton side streets
• Sandiacre village loop via Bostock's Lane and Station Road

Test Manoeuvres

• Pull up on the left near the test centre on Eldon Road

Key Tips

• In Toton side streets, check mirrors before passing parked cars - do not assume no one is coming
• On the A52, drive at the speed limit. Going 50 in a 70 zone is marked as a fault for hesitancy
• Returning via Stapleford Lane, watch for the 30 mph limit sign when entering the residential area