{"id":3647,"date":"2010-09-27T21:42:44","date_gmt":"2010-09-27T21:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=3647"},"modified":"2010-09-27T21:42:44","modified_gmt":"2010-09-27T21:42:44","slug":"independent-driving-monday-is-d-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=3647","title":{"rendered":"Independent Driving: Monday is D-Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

An email alert from the DSA:<\/p>\n

\n

Independent driving introduced into tests next Monday<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Independent driving will be introduced into the British driving test next Monday (4 October). <\/p>\n

Candidates in all main categories of test will be asked to spend around 10 minutes demonstrating their ability to drive safely without step-by-step directions from an examiner. <\/p>\n

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: <\/p>\n

\u201cThe independent driving assessment gives test candidates the chance to show they have the necessary skills to cope with the sort of traffic conditions they will face every day. <\/p>\n

\u201cLearning those skills from the very start of the driving process will help make new drivers safer.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

At the moment the examiner gives directions throughout the test. But during the independent drive, the candidate will have to follow traffic signs or a short series of verbal directions, or a combination of both. To help candidates understand where they are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show a diagram. Candidates can also ask for a reminder as they drive. <\/p>\n

DSA\u2019s Chief Driving Examiner Trevor Wedge said: <\/p>\n

\u201cThe aim of independent driving is to assess the candidate\u2019s ability to drive safely whilst making decisions independently. It\u2019s not a test of navigation and candidates won\u2019t be failed for going off route. <\/p>\n

\u201dThe test is being improved to help produce safer drivers, but that doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s getting any harder. We know many instructors are already teaching independent driving.\u201d <\/p>\n

In addition, practical car test candidates will only have to complete one of the three reversing manoeuvres, instead of two at present. Other categories of test remain unchanged. The price and duration of tests also stay the same. <\/p>\n

Useful links: <\/p>\n