Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving Test Changes - The New Instructions Examiners Will Give.

Your driving test will change on December 4th 2017, so it means that the verbal instructions given by your DVSA examiner will be modified to describe the new requirements.

The changes will include the following:

• The pre-briefing at the start of the test.
• The "tell me" safety question.
• The "show me" safety question.
• Independent driving.
• Two new manouevres - 1. Pull up on the right and reverse.  2. Parking in a bay.
• The time the test takes.

The link below takes you to the official DVSA document and the videos giving examples of the show me / tell me questioning and the two new manouevres.

Click The Link Below to View the Changes and Videos.

We are sure that this information will be helpful to you, but if you want to understand it completely and pass your driving test first time, why not book your driving lessons in Gloucester with John Lowe Driving.

Call Us On 01452 313713.

Warm Regards,
Tom Lowe.
http://www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org

https://despatch.blog.gov.uk/2017/08/07/driving-test-changes-the-new-instructions-examiners-will-give/

Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving Test Changes Confirmed.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has confirmed that the driving test in England, Scotland and Wales will change from Monday 4 December 2017.There will be four changes, view the details from the following link, which includes a useful video. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-test-changes-4-december-2017?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=postfity&utm_content=postfity3a076

New Show Me/Tell Me Questions From December 4th 2017.

For some years now, at the start of your driving test, before the driving part, the DVSA examiner asks one "show me" and one "tell me" question.

This will change on December 4th 2017.

From this date, you will still have to answer the two questions, but the questions and the formula will be different.

Here's what you can expect after December 4th 2017:

You will be asked:

• One "tell me" question, where you'd be asked to explain how to carry out a safety check, before you start driving, at the beginning of your test.
• One "show me" question, where you'd be asked to carry out a safety task, on the road while you're driving.

The changes to the "show me" format may well cause some problems to any test candidate who is unprepared.

Every driving student learning with John Lowe Driving is already fully competent in performing these safety tasks before their driving test, so these changes will not make any difference at all, but if you are learning elsewhere and these skills are being ignored, our driving instructors are ready to help you.

What questions can you expect?

Here are the 7 "show me" questions that you could be asked on your test. You will be asked to carry out one task.

1.   When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?

2.   When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?

3.   When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?

4.   When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?

5.   When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?

6.   When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?

7.   When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?

Here are the 14 "tell me" questions. You will be asked one of them before you start to drive:

1. Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

2. Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

3. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some restraints might not be adjustable.

4. Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference.

5. Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

6. Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

7. Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

8. Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

9. Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made.

Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

10. Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

11. Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

12. Tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

13. Tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

Identify high and low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

14. Tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.

We hope that this information helps to keep the changes clear, but if you'd like to find out more, start your driving lessons in Gloucester, or pick up your driving again, please call us on:

01452 313713. John Lowe Driving.

Warm Regards,

Tom & Lisa Lowe

http:www.drivinglessonsgloucester.org
http://johnrlowe.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/new-show-metell-me-questions-from.html

Driving Lessons Gloucester - Driving Test Changes From December 4th 2017.

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.

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.

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. 

This will be the same as is currently being used.

• Bay parking, either reversing in and driving out, or, driving in and reversing out. Your examiner will tell you which one to do. 

The DVSA plan to use a wide variety of car parks for the bay parking, such as hotels, supermarkets and retail parks and are talking to national car parking organisations regarding the use of their car parks for this part of the test.

• Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse 2 car lengths, and then rejoin the traffic on the left-hand side. 

This manoeuvre caused a fair amount of head shaking when it was proposed, as the Highway Code advises not to park against the flow of traffic during the day. 

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.

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