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The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is changing the driving test from October 2010. These changes come on the 75th anniversary of the driving test. The changes are designed so that the test is a more realistic drive for the pupil.
The new part is an “assessment of competence to drive independently” and will be introduced across all practical tests with the aim to reduce the number of new driver accidents. The independent driving element of the test will last for 10 minutes. You will be asked to drive to a specific location by following a series of road signs, simple directional aids and/or a number of verbal directions provided by the examiner. A maximum of three or four directions will be given whilst the car is stationery. The examiner will then not make further comments on direction once you are moving.
In order to introduce independent driving, the DSA plan to reduce the number of reversing manoeuvres assessed on the practical test from the current two to one. The focus will move away from planning test routes in order to check manoeuvres, sticking to particular areas of the town or city, to opening up routes so that a more ‘normal’ drive can be assessed during the course of the test, traveling further a field in real traffic. Research has shown that young drivers see this as more of a test for the real world of driving, allowing them to develop the skills needed to read real situations.
The DSA are also changing the new test 2010 by the way in which they test your manoeuvring skills. You will asked to pull over in a suitable location and turn the vehicle around using a method of your choice. If you can safely do a turn in the road you can, if there is a suitable corner to reverse around to the left you can, or if there is a suitable right corner to reverse around you can choose this method. The decision will be the yours to make, there is no right or wrong option as long as you complete the manoeuvre safely, under control and using the appropriate observation.
Although there are no plans yet to increase the length of the test, this may come in the future probably to 50 minutes in length, although details are yet to be announced by the DSA, who are currently assessing the most efficient duration in which to test as many situations as practically possible. The knock on effect of this will be fewer tests being conducted per day by each test centre, and the wait of 6-8 weeks for a test date from application will probably be extended. It follows that we will probably hear of a test price increase from the current £62 as well!
Recently (from 6th April 2010) the DSA introduced the ‘observer on test’ option for candidates taking a car practical test. The examiner will ask if you wish the person accompanying you to the test centre to sit in on your test, or attend the feedback debrief session at the end of the test. The observer could be a parent, guardian or friend who has taught you to drive, but in most cases it will be your driving instructor. Whilst this has always been possible, examiners will have to ask candidates if they wish to be observed, rather than the candidate seeking permission.
There are benefits to being observed, as well as possible disadvantages for some. The DSA believes candidates will benefit from ongoing learning and development if their instructor witnesses firsthand the drive and feedback given on the test. Should the candidate fail, it will allow more targeted remedial training and possibly reduce the number of learners making several attempts at the test. Your instructor should discuss your observation options with you well in advance of your test date, and you should both have reached an agreement on what is best for you on the day.
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