Driving Test Changes in 2010
The driving test format will be changing in 2010 to test more the way we drive, rather than just complete a series of instructions.
The good news for many learner drivers is that the current 2 manoeuvres required on your driving test will be reduced to just 1 reversing exercise.
This will allow more time to be spent on accessing the overall driving standard of the candidate, whilst not increasing the time of the driving test.
However, the major change comes in the format of a new category called ‘independant driving’.
Essentially what will now happen is that a candidate will be given a series of instructions/directions to follow and will be expected to either follow road direction signs to a local place, or be given 3 or 4 directions to follow in the format of, ‘at the end of the road turn left, then at the end of the new road turn right, then at the roundabout take he 3rd exit’.
This new exercise will last for no more than 10 minutes during the driving test and will asses a candidates ability to ‘read’ the road ahead and make correct decisions based on their understanding of road layouts and directions, which is exactly what they will need to do whilst driving on their own without supervision from a driving instructor.
December 9th, 2009 at 09:47 am
It’ll be interesting to see how the DSA set this up. The main problem I can see is many places have poor road signs, and some pupils might find it difficult remembering the directions.
I currently do something similar with all my pupils and it does help, but not everyone does it the same.
Hopefully they won’t be marked down if they follow the wrong directions, so long as they do it safely.
Rob
December 18th, 2009 at 07:38 am
Its really good news for the learner drivers and the concept of introducing new category independant driving is good.