Independent driving Update ~ 4^th June 2010

 

  

Independent driving ~ 27^th March 2010

The DSA will be introducing Independent Driving into the practical driving test, from beginning of October 2010 (Actual date still to be confirmed). The independent driving part of the test will last for 10 minutes, the length of the test will remain the same, to make way for it they will be dropping one of the manuvers from the test, you will only be required to complete one out of the possible four manuvers, which will still be chosen at random.

There will be three methods they will introduce the independent drive into the driving test these are as follows:

1. Following verbal directions:  Learners will be asked to
pull up by the side of the road and then given a map to look
at, then they will be given some directions to be followed. You will follow these directions from memory while driving until you are told to stop or are given further instructions by the examiner.

2. Following road signs:  Learners will be asked to pull up by the side of the road and then told to follows a road signs to a chosen place, until the signs come to an end, the time is up or you are given further instructions by the examiner.

3. Following verbal directions and road signs:  This is a mixture of both the above methods.

Why are they introducing this into the test? The DSA feel that the driving test at the moment does not allow them to see the candidates drive on their own, it's a bit like driving by numbers, for instance the candidate is told "take the next road on the left" so the candidate goes into their routine they were taught e.g. MSM/MSPSL, therefore the examiner wants to see the candidate still continue do their routines but on their own, in other words whilst driving independently the learner is still checking their mirrors, signalling correctly as they did before, so even if you were to go the wrong way during the independent part of the test then as long as you do your routine correctly during the test then you would not accrue any driver faults.

If you have learning or reading difficulties then you should make the DSA aware upon booking the test and they will make allowances for it.

 

 

 

 

 Take someone with you on your driving test  ~  1st March 2010

From Tuesday 6th 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. 

The examiner will ask, 'Would you like your instructor/accompanying driver to accompany you on the test and be there for the result and end of test feedback?'.

If you says 'no', the examiner will then ask, 'Would you like your instructor/accompanying driver to be there at the end of test for the feedback? 

 
There is lots of information available to help explain the benefits of taking someone with you on your driving test on the website.

 

 

 

Using your instructor as an interpreter  ~  1st March 2010 

 At the moment your driving instructor is not allowed to act as an interpreter on your driving test.

Having your instructor with you on your test can enhance your learning experience and continued development. If your first language isn't English, and your instructor speaks and understands your language, you should not miss out on the opportunity of receiving valuable feedback.

So, if you take your test from 6th April 2010, your instructor may act as interpreter on your test.

 

 

 

Introduced case studies into the driving theory test  ~  28th September 2009
 

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) introduced case studies into the driving theory test.  From 28th September 2009, one case study will be included in the exam for car drivers, moped and motorcycle riders. 

As part of the multiple choice section of the test, the case study will assess candidates understanding of driving theory, while the multiple choice questions will continue to assess their knowledge of the subject.

The theory test case study will take the form of a scenario or short story, on which five questions will be based, and will focus on real life experiences that drivers could come across whilst driving.  Candidates will answer the questions in the same way as they do now, using either the touch screen or mouse.

Initially the DSA are introducing one case study based on existing questions in the theory test question bank.  But over time, the DSA plan to introduce more case studies into the theory test to assess candidates understanding of what they have learned.

 

 

 

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