{"id":2749,"date":"2010-06-09T20:31:54","date_gmt":"2010-06-09T20:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=2749"},"modified":"2010-06-09T20:31:54","modified_gmt":"2010-06-09T20:31:54","slug":"independent-driving-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=2749","title":{"rendered":"Independent Driving Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The press (and certain sections of this industry) &#8211; either through ignorance, or hidden agendas of their own &#8211; have really got it in for the Independent Driving initiative due to be introduced on October this year. I initially <a title=\"Independent Driving - Change To Driving Test\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=2209\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #800000\">wrote about it here<\/a>, then <a title=\"Independent Driving - This is Why\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=2340\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #800000\">added to it here<\/a>, and then&#160;<a title=\"Independent Driving - Newspaper Misinformation\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=2716\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #800000\">more recently here<\/a> (after the DSA responded to newspaper misinformation).<\/p>\n<p>The DSA has just sent out another email explaining what Independent Driving is all about:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>Independent driving explained<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">From 4 October 2010, learner drivers will be tested on independent driving as part of the practical driving test. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">During their test, candidates will have to drive for about 10 minutes, either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">To help candidates understand where they\u2019re going, the examiner may show them a diagram. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">It doesn&#8217;t matter if candidates don&#8217;t remember every direction, or if they go the wrong way &#8211; that can happen to the most experienced drivers. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">[ <span style=\"color: #800000\">link to a video news report about Independent Driving<span style=\"color: #000080\">] <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>Pass rates<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">Some newspapers have claimed that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate. This claim is based on early research where conditions did not reflect the eventual design of the new element of the test. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">Subsequent trials with a larger number of participants and more closely reflecting the conditions in the planned new test showed no significant fall in the pass rate.  <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>Length of driving tests and test fees<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">The length of driving tests and test fees will not change when independent driving is introduced in October. Driving test fees can be found at  <a title=\"DSA - Test Fees\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.direct.gov.uk\/en\/Motoring\/LearnerAndNewDrivers\/LearningToDriveOrRide\/DG_4022530\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #800000\">direct.gov.uk\/drivingtestfees<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>Categories of tests<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">All categories of practical driving test will include around 10 minutes of independent driving. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">For approved driving instructor (ADI) qualifying tests, this will be in the part two (driving ability) test. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>Manoeuvres<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">From October, car test candidates (category B) will have to complete one reversing manoeuvre rather than two. The manoeuvre will be selected at random by the examiner from: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080\">turning in the road <\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080\">reversing around a corner <\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000080\">reverse parking (either on the road, or into a bay) <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">An emergency stop exercise will still be conducted on one in three tests. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">Manoeuvres in all other categories of tests will not be changed. Candidates for the ADI part two (driving ability) test will still have to complete all the manoeuvres. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>Special needs<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">DSA already has procedures to identify special needs and disabilities when tests are booked online or over the phone. The examiner then knows which type of special needs the candidate has so reasonable adjustment can be made. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">For independent driving this could be asking the candidate which method they prefer for the section \u2013 in other words, following signs, or a series of directions (a maximum of three) which are supported by a diagram approved by the British Dyslexia Association. In some cases this will be shortened to just two directions. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">DSA recognise there are many ways of developing perfectly road-safe coping strategies in order to navigate from A to B and is satisfied that examiners will manage the situation accordingly. Independent driving is a significant road safety addition to the practical driving test but will not prevent candidates from holding a licence. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">DSA is determined that no member of society should suffer detriment due to any change we introduce. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>People who don\u2019t speak English<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">Driving examiners are very experienced at dealing with candidates who speak little or no English and they\u2019ll be able to manage the situation accordingly. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">For example, sometimes this will include writing place names so it is clear to candidates where they are being asked to drive to. To help all candidates, when asked to follow a series of verbal directions the examiner can show a diagram, so that they can picture the route they\u2019ve been asked to take. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">Just as currently, the candidate can have an interpreter along with them on their test if they wish. Since 6 April 2010 ADIs have been able to act as an interpreter for their own pupils. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>Routes, directions and sat navs<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">If the candidate goes off-route during the independent driving section, the examiner will get the candidate back on route and continue with the independent driving section wherever possible. The test won\u2019t be terminated. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">If the candidate looks like taking a wrong turning, the examiner will control the situation as they do now and preferably step in before the candidate goes off route. If that\u2019s not possible, the examiner will help the candidate get back on route as soon as possible by guiding them with normal directions. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">Independent driving is not a test of the candidate\u2019s orientation skills. If the candidate goes off route, but does not commit a fault, there\u2019s nothing to assess. Any faults that did occur would be assessed under the circumstances at the time &#8211; as usual. There is no change to assessment. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">[ <span style=\"color: #800000\">Link to download an official Independent Driving route diagram<span style=\"color: #000080\">] <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">There will be times when, due to poor or obscured signage, the examiner may have to intervene. If this happens the examiner would say, \u2018There are no signs here. Just continue ahead please\u2019 and then, \u2018Now, carry on following the signs to \u2026\u2026\u2019 <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">If the candidate asks for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will be happy to confirm them. Driving independently means making your own decisions and, just like when driving with friends, this includes deciding when it\u2019s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation on where you\u2019re going. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">Independent driving is designed to test the learner\u2019s ability to drive unsupervised and make decisions without guidance and in unfamiliar contexts. DSA is therefore taking the opportunity to review the appropriateness of current route publication practices. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">The independent driving section of the test is approximately 10 minutes when you will be asked to drive making your own decisions. A sat nav gives directions in much the same way as the driver trainer, or the examiner, so it\u2019s not appropriate to use for independent driving.  <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong>Guidance and paperwork<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">The DL25 driving test report form will not be changed when independent driving is introduced, as there is no change to assessment. <\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000080\">ADIs sometimes refer to a document called the DT1. This contains internal operational guidance for driving examiners in the conduct of driving tests. An updated version will be published on DSA\u2019s corporate website at the beginning of October. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>This addresses every concern &#8211; real or contrived &#8211; that I have seen written or heard said, either on forums or at meetings.&#160;But I&#8217;m sure the usual stirrers won&#8217;t let it drop or give Independent Driving a chance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The press (and certain sections of this industry) &#8211; either through ignorance, or hidden agendas of their own &#8211; have really got it in for the Independent Driving initiative due to be introduced on October this year. I initially wrote about it here, then added to it here, and then&#160;more recently here (after the DSA [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dsa-related"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2749\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}