Independent
driving explained
From 4 October
2010, learner drivers will be tested on independent driving as part of the practical driving test.
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.
To help candidates understand where they're going, the examiner may show them a diagram.
It doesn't matter if candidates don't remember
every direction, or if they go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.
Pass rates
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.
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.
Categories
of tests
All categories of practical
driving test will include around 10 minutes of independent driving.
For approved driving instructor (ADI) qualifying tests, this will be in the part two (driving ability)
test.
Manoeuvres
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:
- turning in the road
- reversing around a corner
- reverse parking (either
on the road, or into a bay)
An emergency
stop exercise will still be conducted on one in three tests.
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.
Special needs
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.
For independent driving this could be asking the candidate which method they prefer
for the section - 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.
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.
DSA is determined that
no member of society should suffer detriment due to any change we introduce.
People who don't speak English
Driving examiners are very experienced at dealing with candidates who speak little or no English
and they'll be able to manage the situation accordingly.
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've been asked to take.
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.
Routes, directions and sat navs
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't
be terminated.
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's not possible, the examiner will help the candidate get back on route as soon as possible by
guiding them with normal directions.
Independent
driving is not a test of the candidate's orientation skills. If the candidate goes off route, but does not commit a fault,
there's nothing to assess. Any faults that did occur would be assessed under the circumstances at the time - as usual.
There is no change to assessment.
There will
be times when, due to poor or obscured signage, the examiner may have to intervene. If this happens the examiner would say,
‘There are no signs here. Just continue ahead please' and then, ‘Now, carry on following the signs to ......'
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's safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation on where you're
going.
Independent driving is designed to
test the learner's 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.
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's not appropriate to use for independent driving.
Guidance and paperwork
The DL25 driving test report form will not be changed when independent driving is introduced, as
there is no change to assessment.
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's corporate website at the beginning of October.
