Driving tests have undergone a major overhaul from today, December 4.
One of the major changes is the removal of the reverse round a corner test, which will be replaced by a test based on following sat nav instructions.
The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have also decided to increase the length of the independent driving section of the test. This was previously 10 minutes, but has now been doubled to 20 minutes.
These new changes have been met by several complaints from instructors across the country, with strikes set to begin this week.
However, Ian McIntosh CEO of RED Driving School in Lincoln has supported the changes. He said: “We support the DVSA’s move to update the driving test and we recognise it as an initiative to improve road safety.”
Four out of five candidates will also be asked to follow instructions from a sat nav, with the other candidates still following road signs instead.
Mr McIntosh said: “It is essential to have a driving test that reflects the practical and real world driving experiences, and so the addition of a sat nav is an important and necessary change. Considering 52 per cent of car drivers now have a sat nav, it is therefore vital that drivers are trained to use them safely.”
Reversing around a corner and turn in the road manoeuvres are also gone, though the DVSA say they should still be taught by instructors.
The three new reversing moves tested are parallel parking at the side of the road, park in a bay and pulling up on the right-hand side of the road, reversing for two car lengths and re-joining the traffic.
Vehicle safety questions will now be asked while you are driving. Candidates are asked a ‘tell me’ question, where they will explain how you’d carry out a safety task, though this will remain at the start of the test.
However, the ‘show me’ question, such as showing the examiner how to wash the windscreen using the car controls, will be asked on the go.
Mr McIntosh said: “Having to answer vehicle safety questions throughout and increasing the length of the independent part of the driving test to 20 minutes are all excellent changes that will mean that students will pass their tests having proven that they are capable and responsible drivers.”
The DVSA argue that the new test will help produce safer drivers and help keep them up to date with new technologies.
DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said in a press release: “Making sure the driving test better assesses a driver’s ability to drive safely and independently is part of our strategy to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.
“It is vital that the driving test keeps up to date with new vehicle technology and the areas where new drivers face the greatest risk once they’ve passed their test.”
What do you think of the changes to the driving tests? Leave your comments here.
Lincs News 