The driving test will change from Monday 4 December 2017 to include following directions from a sat nav and testing different manoeuvres.



The changes are designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they’ll need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving.

The changes will only apply to car driving tests to begin with.

The four driving test changes

1. Independent driving part of the test will increase to 20 minutes
The independent driving part of the test currently lasts around 10 minutes. During this part of the test, you have to drive without turn-by-turn directions from the driving examiner. This part of the test will be made longer, so it’ll last around 20 minutes - roughly half of the test.

2. Following directions from a sat nav
During the independent driving part of the test, most candidates will 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 practise with. You can’t 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’re not sure. It won’t matter if you go the wrong way unless you make a fault while doing it. One in 5 driving tests won’t use a sat nav. You’ll need to follow traffic signs instead.

3. Reversing manoeuvres will be changed
The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvres will no longer be tested, but you should still be taught them by your instructor. You’ll be asked to do one of 3 possible reversing manoeuvres: parallel park 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 you have to do)
and pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic

4. Answering a vehicle safety question while you’re driving
The examiner will ask you 2 vehicle safety questions during your driving test - these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. 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 car controls and wipers
Watch how the new test will work

This video shows how the test will work from 4 December 2017.

"The changes are designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they’ll need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving."

To help drivers through a lifetime of safe driving.. Have them ride a motorbike for a few years, even before they drive a car.
That will teach them to anticipate, adjust to ever changing weather & surface conditions & to be very very aware. This will keep them as safe as possible as it will teach them the mindset of thinking that everyone else out there on the road thinks that your either invisible or a target.
This comes from someone who has been wiped out many times on a bike, then been approached by the quaking driver uttering that usual sentence... Sorry mate I didn't see you! One time I was even stopped at red lights.

and what to do if your car breaks down ? can you change a wheel or bulb , top up the levels or swap a battery , can you identify a limp home/get out of the way fault from a total stop and get help , could you cope with out having to press a "call for help" button ? , and as for car manufacturers , give us spare wheels , give us cars that don't go belly up and need a garage at the slightest hiccup . Too many people get in a tin box and think that's me sorted , and I agree with what Orb says ..

First get every new driver to pass the cycling proficiency test and do around 50 miles of cycle commuting.....only then can they get behind the wheel of a car.....

Originally Posted by Orb

"The changes are designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they’ll need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving."

To help drivers through a lifetime of safe driving.. Have them ride a motorbike for a few years, even before they drive a car.
That will teach them to anticipate, adjust to ever changing weather & surface conditions & to be very very aware. This will keep them as safe as possible as it will teach them the mindset of thinking that everyone else out there on the road thinks that your either invisible or a target.
This comes from someone who has been wiped out many times on a bike, then been approached by the quaking driver uttering that usual sentence... Sorry mate I didn't see you! One time I was even stopped at red lights.

Spot on

Originally Posted by lawed143

First get every new driver to pass the cycling proficiency test and do around 50 miles of cycle commuting.....only then can they get behind the wheel of a car.....

If they did that most car drivers would; jump red lights, drive on the pavement; dress in compression pants whilst at the wheel and generally think they are the most important person in the world, to the exclusion of all other road users.

Originally Posted by ECHOEONE

If they did that most car drivers would; jump red lights, drive on the pavement; dress in compression pants whilst at the wheel and generally think they are the most important person in the world, to the exclusion of all other road users.

I take your point and agree, but with the exception of the pants, many already do these things.