'Independent Driving' is now part of the driving test 

From the 4th October 2010 the Driving Standards Agency introduced a new 'Independent Driving' element to all practical driving tests.

Candidates are asked to drive without step-by-step instruction from their examiner for about 10 minutes, showing they can make decisions by themselves in unfamiliar contexts.

Feedback from successful candidates so far has been good: The signs were easy to follow, the diagrams have been easy to understand and the examiners have been happy to recap on the directions if needed. Completing only one manoeuvre has been a very welcome change too!

• In practice this means either:
• Following a series of verbal directions
• Following traffic signs
• Or a combination of both
• To help candidates visualise the directions, the examiner may also show them a simple diagram.

Click here to watch the DSA Independent Driving video

Why was the change introduced?

The DSA wanted to make the practical driving test more reflective of 'real driving' and a better assessment of whether candidates are ready to drive unsupervised after their driving test.

Did anything else change?

As a result of the introduction of Independent Driving, candidates are now only asked to complete one of the set reversing manoeuvres on their test.

What happens if the candidate takes a wrong turning or goes completely off route during the independent driving section? Would this be a driving fault or would the test be terminated?

Independent driving is not a test of the candidate's orientation or navigational skills so if they take a wrong turning, the examiner will do their best to get them back on track as soon as possible by guiding them with normal directions. Taking a wrong turning itself is not a driving fault but if the candidate commits a driving fault when taking a wrong turning, this will be assessed as it is now.

What if the candidate forgets the directions, will the examiner be able to remind them?

Just as with the previous test the examiner will be happy to confirm the directions. 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 are going.

What if there are no road signs at a particular junction?

In situations of missing or obscured road signs the examiner would help by saying for example: 'There are no signs here, just continue to follow the road ahead please,' and then after the junction: 'Now carry on following the signs to...'

What if the candidate has special needs such as dyslexia and they can't follow directions?

The DSA already have in place procedures to identify special needs or disability at the test booking stage, once this is flagged reasonable adjustments can be made, such as asking the candidate what method of giving the directions is preferable to them. In some cases, for example, the instructions will be shortened to just two directions at a time.

Please contact me on 07931 537124 or 01270 659112 if you would like to find out more about the Independent Driving element of the practical driving test.