The BBC reports that from 27 June, candidates sitting the driving test in Northern Ireland will have to complete an independent driving section.
The aim of this is to assess whether the candidates can drive safely whilst making decisions independently.
The entire story is pitched – both by the BBC and Environment Minister, Alex Atwood – as if this has never been done before anywhere else. It makes absolutely no mention of the fact that on the mainland we’ve been doing exactly this since last October. It even appears to be trying to avoid the term “independent driving”. Atwood says:
The change I am launching, while a significant addition to the familiar driving test, should hold no fear for candidates.
Well, bully for him, coming up with this totally “unique” idea.
Still, at least one group representing driving instructors in NI was positive about it. That IS a bit different to what happened over here.