The IG Postcode Area: A History of Expansion
The IG postcode area was created as part of the London postal district changes to manage the expanding mail services in what was then Metropolitan Essex. The “IG” stands for
Ilford, the primary commercial and administrative hub of the region.
The area covers a broad range of towns, each with its own story:
- IG7-IG10 (Chigwell, Hainault, Woodford Green, Loughton): These postcodes extend further into the more affluent, greener belt areas bordering Epping Forest. Historically quiet villages, they developed into desirable commuter suburbs, featuring larger houses and narrower, sometimes challenging, country-style lanes.
- IG11 (Barking): This area is deeply tied to industry and the River Thames. Known for its historical fishing fleet and later extensive housing developments (like parts of the Becontree Estate), it’s a robust, working-class urban hub.
The IG zone’s history is one of rapid transition from rural Essex to integral parts of the London metropolis, creating a unique patchwork of road types that reflect this development.
Why You Should Learn to Drive in the IG Postcode Area
If you can pass your driving test in the IG postcode area, you can confidently drive anywhere in the world. The region provides every single road scenario you are likely to encounter, all within a few square miles.
The Ultimate Driving Syllabus
- Exposure to Every Road Type: The IG area provides the complete set of UK road conditions. You have:
- Quiet Residential Streets: Perfect for mastering basic car control and manoeuvres (parallel parking, bay parking) in areas like Newbury Park or Hainault.
- Busy Urban Centres: Navigating the busy gyratory systems and high streets of Ilford and Barking teaches essential hazard perception, dealing with heavy pedestrian traffic, and complex traffic light junctions.
- High-Speed Dual Carriageways: The proximity to major trunk roads like the A12, A13, and A406 North Circular means you gain critical experience with slip roads, merging, and driving at speed (up to 70 mph where permitted).
- Semi-Rural Lanes: In the IG7-IG10 postcodes, you encounter narrow country lanes with blind bends, no white lines, and natural hazards, requiring advanced spatial awareness.
- Multiple Test Centres Mean Expert Instructors: The IG zone hosts several busy driving test centres (Goodmayes, Barking, Hornchurch, Wanstead). Driving instructors operating in this area are absolute specialists. They know the examiners’ routes inside out and can provide targeted training on specific “tricky spots” that frequently appear on tests.
- Build True Driving Resilience: Driving in East London can be demanding. Traffic is busy, drivers can be assertive, and conditions change quickly. Passing your test here proves that you possess the advanced skills and robust confidence needed to be a safe, resilient, and highly competent driver for life.
Learning to drive in the IG postcodes isn’t just about passing a test; it’s about gaining an education in real-world driving that prepares you for anything the road has to offer.
Areas Covered: Barking (IG11) | Ilford (IG1) | Goodmayes (IG3) | Seven Kings (IG3) | Barkingside (IG6) | Dagenham (RM8) | Romford (RM1) | Chadwell Heath (RM6) | Rainham (RM13) | Upminster (RM14)