The ‘Independent Driving’ part of the test will increase to 20 minutes.
The independent driving part of the test at the moment lasts around 10 minutes. You are usually asked to follow signs or a series of directions. The new test will require you to have to drive without directions from the driving examiner for around 20 minutes. Some people (20%) will still be asked to follow signs but 80% will be asked to follow directions from a Sat Nav.
Following directions from a satellite navigation (Sat. Nav.) system
During the independent driving part of the test, most candidates (80%) will now be asked to follow directions from a Sat. Nav.
The examiner will provide the Sat Nav and set it up. You won’t need to set the route - the examiner will do this for you. So, it doesn’t matter what make or model of Sat. Nav. you have practised with.
You are not allowed to follow directions from your own Sat. Nav. during the test - you have to use the one supplied by the examiner.
You’ll be able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you’re going if you are not sure. It doesn’t matter if you go the wrong way, as long as you do it safely.
Reversing manoeuvres will be changed
The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ (sometimes called the 3 point turn) manoeuvres will no longer be tested.
You will be asked to do one of these reversing manoeuvres:
- parallel park behind a car at the side of the road
- park in a bay - either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which manoeuvre you have to do)
- pull up on the right-hand side of the road then reverse back for 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic safely
Answering a vehicle safety question while on the move
The examiner will ask you 2 vehicle safety questions during your driving test - these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. At the moment these are done before you drive off. This will change, so one question is asked before you drive away and the other you need to ‘show’ while driving (or in stationary traffic)
You’ll be asked the:
- ‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
- ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving - for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the wipers. So, choose a suitable moment to do it and know where the controls are.
If you're unsure speak to your driving instructor.
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