The Driving test is changing from 4th December 2017.

All learners taking a driving test in a car from that date, weather they have failed one before, or had their test cancelled, will be examined using the new format.

There are some Driving Instructors that train pupils to pass a test at a particular test centre, rather than to be able to drive safety anywhere. An example would be Sevenoaks test centre, where a pupil is not asked to perform a bay park and often not trained to perform one.

Such learners are going to need a good few hours of additional training, if they fail a test just prior to the introduction of the new DVSA Driving Test.

Driving Test key changes Dec 2017:

Independent driving will increase to 20 minutes

Under the current regime, this section lasts for 10 minutes. When first introduced, there was a hue and cry about how difficult this would make the UK test. At present candidates are either asked to ” follow the signs to” or the examiner draws a little map, which is a bit pointless really.

There is a bit of a misconception about this part of the test, re going the wrong way. If a candidate goes the wrong way correctly, that is using the correct mirror, signal, manoeuvre routine and is in the right place in the road, at the right speed, no laws are broken……then all is well. The examiner will simply get the candidate back on track and no fault is recorded.

When the new Driving Test is introduced, 4 out of 5 candidates will have to follow directions given by a Sat Nav device.

The pupil does not have to operate the devise in anyway, the examiner pre-programmes the route for the candidate…….so don’t worry.

In addition, if a candidate is unsure of what the Sat Nav is asking them to do, they can ask the Examiner to clarify.

Notice that we said, what the Sat Nat is asking them to do, that’s because the candidate is still expected to drive safety and override ” orders” being given by the Sat Nav where necessary.

We have all heard the stories of motorist’s driving off of cliffs, whilst following instructions given by such devises !!

Just as under the old test rules, if the candidate goes the wrong way, using correct road procedure and does not make a fault……….no problem. The Examiner will simply get the candidate back on track.

Sat Nav’s are not perfect and sometimes go wrong. This is not a problem, the DVSA Examiner will deal with the situation appropriately.

We have a video for you to watch which covers all of the key changes, click here to view

Enjoy