Several changes have been made to the UK driving test and the new changes will begin to be implemented during October 2010
. The changes are designed to make the test experience seem more real to life.
The DSA Driving Standards Agency has concluded that the new test will include a ten minute drive without instruction to allow the examiner to get a better feel of how the learner driver can cope undirected.
The learner drivers are to be given a specific location to find either by following road signs or by receiving a set of directions, in some cases a combination of both will occur.
To make the time for the new changes the learners will only have to perform one of the manoeuvres instead of two.
Looking for road signs is more like real-life driving and the fact that the learners will only have to perform one of the manoeuvres- parallel parking, reversing around a corner, a three point turn- instead of two will be welcomed by many.
Chief Driving Examiner Trevor Wedge of the DSA said the biggest challenge facing newly qualified drivers is coping without an instructor prompting them. The new changes are quite innovative as previously it has been permanently down to the examiner to tell the test pupil where to drive.
"We want to make sure that new drivers and riders are ready to make their own decisions when driving alone. Learning how to do that in preparation for their test should lead to better and safer drivers,"
Test routes are currently published on the DSA website but this will stop when the new examination rules role out in October.
The aim of the new test it to ensure that new drivers are equipped to drive safely and independently once they have passed their test. The new measures are designed to install the confidence that all new drivers need.