Changes to the practical driving test come in officially from today but they could take several months for the test centre managers to redesign test routes where they can to take in more country roads and more time on faster roads which may mean that the test style may change over the next 6 months whilst routes are designed.
Government statistics show that more incidents and KSI’s (Killed and Seriously Injured) involving drivers happen on faster or country roads which is why the changes to the test have been put in place. To ensure the changes were practically manageable by the DVSA a trial took place over several test centres and apparently, they were a success which is why they are rolling this out across all test centres.
The changes include,
- Reducing the number of stops learners must make from four to three.
- Decreasing the frequency of emergency stops from one in three tests to one in seven.
- Giving examiners the power to increase the length of independent driving – which can involve following a satnav, traffic signs, or both – to between 20 minutes and the full duration of the test.
- More use of faster roads, country roads or a combination of the two types of roads.
The normal stops and manoeuvres will be conducted in the slower, quieter roads.
ON our driving lessons around Essex we will ensure all of the features in the new style test are explained to you but really they will make no difference to how you learn to drive but will have other hot spots on test routes.