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Comparison

Driving Routes vs Google Maps

Side-by-side comparison of Driving Routes and Google Maps for learner drivers preparing for the practical test. We tell you which is the better fit honestly.

Driving Routes

Practise your real test routes

One subscription unlocks web, iPhone, Android, CarPlay & Android Auto. From £3.99/week.

In short

Driving Routes publishes the real road routes examiners use at UK and US driving test centres, with voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation. Google Maps is google's general-purpose mapping and navigation product. They cover different parts of test preparation — read on for the side-by-side and the honest pick.

Driving Routes

Pros

  • • 1,900+ real practice routes at UK and US test centres
  • • Hand-verified by approved driving instructors
  • • Voice-guided turn-by-turn on web, iOS, Android
  • • CarPlay and Android Auto on every plan
  • • Offline maps included
  • • From £3.99/wk — one subscription covers every device

Google Maps

Pros

  • Best-in-class general navigation
  • Live traffic and reroute
  • Free to use
  • Available on every platform

Cons

  • Doesn't publish driving-test routes
  • Optimises for shortest/fastest path, not the examiner's choice
  • Not designed for instructional, predictable, repeated practice runs

Feature comparison

FeatureDriving RoutesGoogle Maps
Real test routesYes — 1,900+No
Instructor verificationYesNo
Voice guidanceYesYes
CarPlay / Android AutoYesYes
PricingFrom £3.99/wkFree

When to pick Google Maps

For everyday navigation — Google Maps is the default and rightly so.

When to pick Driving Routes

For practising the actual roads your examiner will choose on test day — Driving Routes publishes those; Google Maps doesn't.

Frequently asked questions

Can Google Maps tell me my driving test route?
No. Google Maps doesn't have the test-route data — examiners choose from a small pool of representative roads, and that data is what Driving Routes publishes.