Modified Driving Test Procedures Announced for 4th of December, 2017
As of December 4, 2017, the practical driving test in England, Scotland, and Wales underwent significant changes to better reflect real-world driving scenarios and assess the skills of new drivers more effectively.
Independent Driving Duration
The independent driving segment of the test has been extended from 10 minutes to around 20 minutes, allowing candidates to demonstrate their ability to drive safely without step-by-step instructions.
Use of a Sat Nav
Candidates are now asked to follow directions from a sat nav provided by the examiner during the independent driving segment. This replaces some map-reading tasks and aims to reflect modern driving practices.
Reversing Manoeuvres
The test now includes one of three possible reversing manoeuvres, communicated in advance by the examiner: parallel parking, bay parking, or pulling up on the right-hand side and rejoining traffic. These manoeuvres require careful observation and control.
Vehicle Safety Questions
The 'show me, tell me' vehicle safety questions remain part of the test but are conducted differently: one 'show me' question is asked while driving, and one 'tell me' question is asked before starting the test.
Other Changes
- The 'reverse around a corner' and 'turn-in-the-road' maneuvers will no longer be tested.
- Most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav during the independent driving part of the test. However, one in 5 driving tests won't use a sat nav, and candidates will need to follow traffic signs instead.
- You won't be allowed to use your own sat nav during the test; the examiner will provide a TomTom Start 52.
- The pass mark for the driving test remains unchanged, with a maximum of 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults to pass. The length of the driving test remains the same, approximately 40 minutes.
- The cost of the driving test will not change.
These changes aim to modernize the test, better assess real-world driving skills, and ensure new drivers have the skills for safe driving throughout their lives. The changes were supported by 88.2% of participants in a public consultation.
For more detailed information, driving instructors can refer to the DVSA Despatch blog. It's important to note that the driving test in Northern Ireland works differently.
Research indicates that new drivers find independent driving training valuable and can relate it to driving once they've passed their test. Furthermore, 70.8% of car drivers now use a sat nav, and the changes aim to train new drivers to use them safely. A survey revealed that 78.6% of participants agreed with the plans to change how the reversing maneuvers are tested. Similarly, 78.4% of participants agreed with asking the 'show me' question while the candidate is driving during the test.
These changes reflect a commitment to improving road safety by preparing new drivers for the challenges they may face on high-speed roads, where most fatal collisions occur (excluding motorways).
- The updated driving test now requires candidates to follow directions from a sat nav during the independent driving segment, demonstrating their ability to use modern navigation systems and aligning with the practices often seen in the finance and transportation industries.
- The alterations to the driving test have been designed to ensure that new drivers are prepared not only for urban environments but also for high-speed roads, which are crucial in the industry of transportation and are where most fatal collisions occur, excluding motorways.
