Changes coming to the driving practical test in October

[Martin]

Just read somewhere that the practical test is changing slightly in October. There will be a new section where for like 10 minutes you have to drive 'on your own' without any instruction from the examiner. I think they are also dropping the number of reverse manouveres to 1.

I think it's quite a good idea really, since independant driving should be tested I guess, and the ability to follow signage, and guides rather than having someone tell you which ways to turn etc.

I'm still glad I passed mine last year though!


Linky: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_188282

[Meanies]

i think the doing it on your own is good cus its so much different. one time my instructor made me go and park in a carpark whilst he went to the toilet, then just stood outside the building and told me to drive over and it was so different without him sat there next to me. i know this change is saying they'll still be sat there, but still, its different without their instructions!

[Eckuii]

People need to learn to drive on their own. When they first get in a car on their own they poo themselves and then make a mistake, people get angry and then they poo themselves even more. I used to drive anywhere I wanted on my driving lessons when my driving instructor was happy I was good enough to do so.

[jam666]

The number of reverse manouveres is staying the same which is currently 2. However for approximately 10minutes of the driving test the examiner will not give any directions except for example: "follow the signs to teesport". During this period you will have to read the road signs to get you to your destination.

[Nicola]

Oooh that's quite a good idea actually. Although if that happens by the time I'm having to take my test I'll be dreading it.

But yeah I suppose you have to do it sometime so that's a pretty good way to start.

[immense]

It will be something that everyone dreads but realistically they're not asking you to go to a place you don't know. They'll say can you take me to the rail station or something and you'll have to follow signs to get there, not too hard providing you can read and employ a bit of common sense. Although saying that I'm glad I passed the way I did.

[myke]

they said if you make a wrong turn, it's not a biggy because even as a fully fledged driver, you will get lost.
they also said that it will decrease the passing rate..
onoe.

[danzooo]

Thank christ mines is in August!

[flatface]

they said if you make a wrong turn, it's not a biggy because even as a fully fledged driver, you will get lost.
they also said that it will decrease the passing rate..
onoe.

you're probs right but this is what the website says

Some newspapers have claimed that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate. This claim is based on early research where conditions did not reflect the eventual design of the new element of the test.

Subsequent trials with a larger number of participants and more closely reflecting the conditions in the planned new test showed no significant fall in the pass rate.

[Moh]

Thank god i should be doing my test before october