The DVSA have announced that changes to the driving test will take place from Monday 4th December 2017. This test update will include following sat nav directions and the testing of different manoeuvres.
In this post we will look at the changes in as much detail as is available.
There will be 4 driving test changes.
1. Independent Driving.
The length of the independent driving section of the test will increase from 10 minutes to 20 minutes, which is approximately half the length of the test without directions given by the driving examiner.
This will require a lot of concentration! Our driving instructors at John Lowe Driving will ensure that all of our students will be ready for this before their test.
This will require a lot of concentration! Our driving instructors at John Lowe Driving will ensure that all of our students will be ready for this before their test.
2. Following sat nav directions.
This is a completely new skill that will be tested, although it will not apply to all tests. A fifth of tests will not use a sat nav, but will follow traffic signs instead, so plainly, both skills will need to be mastered.
The sat nav will be supplied and installed by the examiner, using the most suitable method for your car, with an aim to use a dashmat set up where possible, rather than a windscreen attachment. However, some vehicles may only be suitable for a windscreen set up. We will mimic the use in our cars on your driving lessons with how it will be set up for your driving test, so there are no last minute surprises.
You will not need to set the route, as this will be done by the examiner and you will have to use the sat nav supplied by the examiner, you cannot use you own device. If you make a mistake and go the wrong way, don't worry, this doesn't matter, as long as you don't commit a fault in the process.
The sat nav will be supplied and installed by the examiner, using the most suitable method for your car, with an aim to use a dashmat set up where possible, rather than a windscreen attachment. However, some vehicles may only be suitable for a windscreen set up. We will mimic the use in our cars on your driving lessons with how it will be set up for your driving test, so there are no last minute surprises.
You will not need to set the route, as this will be done by the examiner and you will have to use the sat nav supplied by the examiner, you cannot use you own device. If you make a mistake and go the wrong way, don't worry, this doesn't matter, as long as you don't commit a fault in the process.
3. The reversing manoeuvres are to change.
There will be, as now, one reversing manoeuvre to deal with on the test. Your examiner will choose from the following 3 possibilities:
- Parallel parking.
- Bay parking, either reversing in and driving out, or, driving in and reversing out. Your examiner will tell you which one to do.
- Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse 2 car lengths, and then rejoin the traffic on the left-hand side.
The DVSA have, however, confirmed that it is an entirely legal manoeuvre. They say that on our busy roads, there are times when a driver will need to pull up on the right, and they need the skills to do it safely, using a safe and systematic routine, including appropriate signals and observation. This is what will be tested.
When the examiner asks you to pull up on the right, you will have to decide what factors to take into account, before parking. It must be safe, legal and convenient, so a busy road with constant traffic would not be suitable.
You, as the candidate will have to use your understanding of these factors to choose a suitable place to pull up on the right.
4. Answering a vehicle safety question while you are driving.
Current students will be familiar with the "show me / tell me" questions, but the questioning will now be different. You will still be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your test, but the "show me" question will be asked during the drive and you will have to demonstrate that you can perform the task.
For example, you may be asked to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers. This makes sense, as you can't forever pull over if you need to turn on your lights, or operate the wipers!
The "tell me" question will be asked at the beginning of the test, before the drive begins.
No, the pass mark, length of test and the cost will remain the same.
The pass mark is not being changed, so you will still be successful on your driving test if you make no more than 15 minor driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
The DVSA examiner will mark the test as they currently do, and the driving faults will remain the same.
The test will still last for around 40 minutes.
The cost of the test will remain the same.
Road collisions account for over a quarter of all deaths of young people between the ages of 15 and 19 and are the biggest killer of teenagers, way beyond illness, drug use, or other accidents.
Most fatal collisions occur on high speed roads (not motorways), such as country lanes, and these changes will allow more high speed roads to be included in the test routes.
All of the students learning with John Lowe Driving in Gloucester, will continue to get full coaching on these roads.
In areas such as Cheltenham, there are fewer high speed roads available, so these changes will enable the test routes to be adjusted.
Over half of drivers now use a sat nav, so training in how to use them safely will avoid potential accidents.
Independent driving is useful to new drivers, as they relate to it after passing, so the changes will be beneficial.
If you would like more information on these changes, or want to get started on your driving lessons, get in touch!
Warm Regards,
Tom & Lisa Lowe.
http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org
Will there be other changes?
No, the pass mark, length of test and the cost will remain the same.
The pass mark is not being changed, so you will still be successful on your driving test if you make no more than 15 minor driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
The DVSA examiner will mark the test as they currently do, and the driving faults will remain the same.
The test will still last for around 40 minutes.
The cost of the test will remain the same.
Why are the changes being made?
Road collisions account for over a quarter of all deaths of young people between the ages of 15 and 19 and are the biggest killer of teenagers, way beyond illness, drug use, or other accidents.
Most fatal collisions occur on high speed roads (not motorways), such as country lanes, and these changes will allow more high speed roads to be included in the test routes.
All of the students learning with John Lowe Driving in Gloucester, will continue to get full coaching on these roads.
In areas such as Cheltenham, there are fewer high speed roads available, so these changes will enable the test routes to be adjusted.
Over half of drivers now use a sat nav, so training in how to use them safely will avoid potential accidents.
Independent driving is useful to new drivers, as they relate to it after passing, so the changes will be beneficial.
If you would like more information on these changes, or want to get started on your driving lessons, get in touch!
Call John Lowe Driving on 01452 313713.
Warm Regards,
Tom & Lisa Lowe.
http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org
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