From the 4th October learner drivers will be tested on independent driving as part of the practical driving test. During the test the pupil will be asked to drive for approximately 10 minutes either following a series of directions or by following traffic signs, or a combination of both. If required, the examiner may show the pupil a simple diagram of the intended route to follow. Here’s an example of a diagram similar to the one the examiner will use: Independent driving diagram
Also from October a pupil will only be asked to carry out one reversing manouevre on the driving test. The manoeuvre will be chosen by the examiner from:
- Turn in the road
- Left or right reverse
- Reverse into a bay or parallel park
Note: The emergency stop exercise will still be conducted in 1 out of every 3 tests.
There are no plans to increase the cost of the driving test in view of the changes.
If the pupil takes a wrong turn or goes off route in error then the examiner will give directions to get the pupil back on the route. In this situation the examiner will only mark driving errors, if any occurred – just as they do now. The examiner will not mark coming off the route as a driver error and it will not count towards a pass or fail. Wherever possible the examiner will step in to assist the pupil if it looks like the pupil is about to make an error and go off the route.
Testing a pupils ability to drive independently doesn’t require the pupil to have geographic knowledge (or even speak English). If the pupil forgets the directions given then the examiner will step in and be happy to confirm them. The purpose of independent driving is to enable the pupil to make decisions without supervision - just as the pupil will do after passing the driving test and driving independently with friends.
Take a look here at an example Independent Driving on YouTube
For further information about independent driving, please call our friendly Surepass team on 0800 085 4140 Lines are open seven days from 9am to 9pm. We’d love to hear from you.