New "L" Test
The Practical Driving Test is Changing.
Take an observer with you on your Driving Test.
From Tuesday 6 April driving examiners will ask candidates if they would like their instructor (or another observer - preferably the person who has taught them to drive) to sit in on their car test and listen to the feedback at the end. However, it is purely the candidate's choice.
There's lots of benefits of taking someone with you on your driving test. Please ask your LA-Driving School instructor for more details.
Will you be Independent, by October 2010?
The introduction of an assessment of competence to drive independently (known as Independent Driving)
Newly qualified drivers are expected to be safe and competent drivers, but many pass the practical test without having been exposed to a wide range of driving conditions, in particular driving by themselves without the benefit of an instructor or accompanying driver.
As part of the DSA's reform of the way that people learn to drive and are assessed, they therefore want to broaden the practical driving test so that it becomes reflective of "real driving" and a better assessment of whether candidates are ready to drive unsupervised after passing the driving test.
LA-Driving School already incorporate independent driving in their lesson plans.
So you'll be ready even if you escape being tested on it.
The DSA's Learning to Drive consultation acknowledged that the practical car test should
focus less on manoeuvres and more on general driving. Their aim is to broaden
the practical test without extending its duration, which would have the undesirable
side-effects of increasing both the test fee and test waiting times.
How will it work?
By introducing Independent Driving the DSA want candidates to:
- Develop the ability to make driving-related decisions regarding all aspects of the driving task and in particular those relating to navigation decisions and dealing with road and traffic hazards.
- Move away from reliance on cues from driving instructor or examiner to initiate
appropriate mirror/signal/manoeuvre procedure.
DSA proposes to test Independent Driving by:
- Asking the candidate to follow road signs to a particular place or landmark, or
- Asking the candidate to follow a short number of directions, as if from
someone they had stopped and asked. - Asking the candidate to follow a combination of both methods, depending on
local road conditions.
When giving the candidate a number of directions as in the second option, the examiner will normally give three and certainly no more than four, separate instructions at any time.
Once they have been followed, the examiner will ask the candidate to pull over to be given the next instructions, again normally three to a maximum of four.
Independent driving is not being introduced as a replacement for the current method of testing drivers and riders; it is being designed as a component part of the test,which should last approximately 10 minutes out of the overall test duration of 38/40 minutes.
Do I still have to do reversing manoeuvres?
As with the current driving test, it is hoped that the candidate will be able to follow the correct route, but deviation from the route will not be penalised unless driving or serious errors are made, in which case the candidate will be marked accordingly.
Current GB test regulations with regards to manoeuvres are:
Brake accurately to stop where directed, if need be by performing an emergency stop; and Perform any TWO of the following manoeuvres:
- Reverse in a straight line and reverse right or left round a corner while keeping within the correct traffic lane.
- Turn the vehicle to face the opposite way, using forward and reverse gears.
- Park the vehicle and leave a parking space (parallel, oblique or right-angle) both forwards and in reverse, on the flat, uphill and downhill.
Research has shown that a novice's inexperience in independent driving can impact negatively road safety. Road casualty statistics show that only 2% of cars involved in road traffic collisions are reversing or performing a U turn. They also show that the majority of fatalities occur on non built-up or higher speed roads.
The DSA wants candidates to spend more time being assessed on test on these roads and driving interactively in traffic.
- Reducing the number of manoeuvres -which are generally tested in quiet suburban back streets.
- Will give DSA the flexibility to increase the amount of time a candidate spends driving in these conditions.
In order to provide greater flexibility with regards to test routes and the testing of manoeuvres for category B (car), The DSA therefore propose that, with effect from October 2010 candidates will be required to:
- Perform a controlled stop.
- Perform at least ONE of the reversing manoeuvres set out above.
Contact Us:
You've done the hard bit and found us, now experiance driving lessons with us in Bridgwater, Burnham on Sea, Highbridge, Taunton and Weston super Mare and the surrounding areas.
LA Driving School already incorporate independent driving in their lesson plans.
So you'll be ready even if you escape being tested on it.
Contact us today to book your FREE no obligation driving lesson.
- Call the above mobile number.
- E-mail us through the "Contact Us" page.
- Text "LESSONS" to the above mobile number for a call back.
(Please remember:
This might not be straight away due to instructor on lessons, but will be ASAP).
Please feel free to contact us with any enquiries or general questions you would like us to answer.
We look forward to hearing from you and helping you become an independent driver......
