Independent driving in the driving test

[Jackf1n]

Y only 1 or 2 less?

[skhle]

I agree with independent driving but what has always baffled me with driving is turning in the centre of the road or reversing to a corner.dsa should have collected a lot reserch from current drivers before formulating their test requirements.Honestly there are few drivers who like turning on the centre of the road because it is never safe.Even reversing to a corner is only done on a road that is not busy.Most drivers usually drive to a side road to make a U- turn to the main road.

[Tommy192ify]

i think its a Great idea now i have passed i passed in Sepember but when i didnt pass i thought it was a BAD idea lol

good luck to all:)

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[drewyization]

I think the independent driving test is excellent, I passed just over a month ago for the 2nd time, compared to the 1st time when I took the old style test. It really does feel better and prepared me alot better for driving on my own.

[647826693]

If any one is nervous about the new test there really is no need. I did my test last Wednesday and passed with 1 minor. The independent driving part of the test is quite possibly the easiest thing you'll have to do.

As the video says you can ask your examiner at any point if you forget where to go.

I remember asking my examiner about 4 times whether I was heading in the right direction. Please don't worry about this part of the test, you will pass if you believe you can!

Good luck :)

[LeeGuitarTay1or]

I have my test in a week. The independant driving seems like a piece of cake! all you have to do is drive around for 10mins without making any serious mistakes and try to follow the directions or signs the best you can. if you go wrong they will re-direct you. If they get me to keep pulling over thats even better as theres less time for me to be on the road and cause thos fatal mistakes! I just cant wait to pass as its so depressing having all these lessons at £20 an hour

[tonytst88]

I hate those bloody trial candidates at the end, most likely they have passed the test before independent driving was introduced, try paying out 100 odd quid every test, the test is so hard as it is, after failing my test I was naturally upset, them now adding an independent driving section, to be honest I really can't be asked anymore, there going to keep adding things ,motorways, driving through flamed hoops what else DSA?! I hope your proud of making peoples lives hell.

[Babisinge]

What makes you think that people will still remember to signal when they've passed the test? I'm still a learner and I've seen loads of drivers use roundabouts in the wrong way, change lanes without signalling, etc. By the way most people these days have satnav's ... maybe the test should be centred around how to use a satnav instead....Just a suggestion.

[raniisc14]

@Babisinge I could not agree with you more......every Toms and Jerrys take Satnav for granted but not those taking test!

Failed my test due to ID....and I wish I hated it more!

[kad27121212]

why are all the canditates all indian??/

[ffem25]

@dsagov

hello, you say there are procedures to identify special needs when a test has been booked online. How about people with hitherto undiagnosed special needs? Will these be accomodated for also?

thanks in anticipation of your response.

[farhan0783]

well today everyone is using the TomTom, so why dont they put a tomtom in the car and tell us now listen to it and drive independently thats more independent i believe

[wilsonredjj]

just get a sat nav..oh and i passed on the 24th september in milton keynes, 1st time !!!!!!!

[thaya1979]

This is going to bring more unlicened driver as well as uninsured.

[MaddieLouxx]

Ridiculous DSA, utterly ridiculous, nice way of calming someones nerves! I'm so nervous about my test in 2 weeks, everything is going to pot and I can't sleep, and on top of remembering what the hell I'm doing when driving and watching for ignorant drivers & idiotic pedestrians who run out in front of you, I have to remember directions off by heart. Moreover, it is an unfair advantage to people who know the area very well! Where is the negative feedback? There MUST be some!

[vickys1212]

wow i am glad to have passed my test already. good luck to everyone else tho

[sammy2hotty]

Life is not fair!?!?

[tommybobing]

Very clever DSA-notice how no one on that video disagrees with it. What happened to the trial candidates that disagrees.Are they forced to keep quiet? Or is this just another case of the government only telling you what they want you to know. How on earth will doing 10 minutes of "independent driving" reduce the number of deaths? For people with special needs, like my self, this test will be INCREDIBLY hard. Feel free to reply to me DSA, I'm looking forward to your responce-lets discuss further.

[dsagov]

@tommybobing DSA 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 you have so reasonable adjustment can be made.

For the independent driving section, this could be by asking you which method you prefer - following traffic signs or a series of directions (a maximum of three), which are supported by a diagram. In some cases this may be shortened to just two directions.

[tommybobing]

@dsagov Thank you for your reply,and well done on totally missing the point. I'm just intrigued at how you think this independent driving will reduce the number of deaths on the roads.And also how you've managed to only find trial candidates who agree with you.By the amount of dislikes on this video and others relating to this, a lot of people disagree.We live in a democracy and WE (the people) do NOT want the new test. Maybe you could get back to me telling me why everyone on that video agrees?

[dsagov]

@tommybobing Thanks.

You can access the Independent Driving Research on our website - showing all the trials and background around the new test.

I can't put the URL on here (rules of YouTube) but once you find the Driving Standards Agency website, go to >Policy, guidance and research >Research >Independent driving research.

If you have any questions about the research reports themselves, please email research2@dsa.gsi.gov.uk and a member of the team will respond to your query.

[HTFCbarmyarmyHTFC]

@tommybobing you got owned in the end :)

[1DesiKing]

It is simply DSA finding ways to make more money. I think people should boycott DSA. Most of the drivers use a navigation device, which prompts you in advance about the directions, then whats the point of this?

If some one requires more time to understand directions from A to B, but is a good driver, then how much time will he be allowed to memorise the directions or the route. If some one requires 10 minutes just to memorise the route, the will he be given 10 minutes?

[PenguinrulesUK]

I've got nooo sense of direction so I'm kinda happy passing before hand, but my cousin and my dad still are yet to pass their practical. Is this independent driving thingy added onto the 40 minutes with the examiner making it 50 minutes or is the test still 40 minutes but use 10 minutes of it to drive independently?

[dsagov]

@PenguinrulesUK The test will still last about 40 minutes, which will include around 10 minutes of independent driving,

[stunbeam]

A waste of time, money and effort. No penalty for forgetting the directions, help to get back on course. Drivers can go straight to a motorway, drive abroad, drive unaccompanied in ice and snow, carry a car full of passengers with all the differences that makes to the handling etc, and the best the DSA can come up with is this. Typical of the know-it-all self righteous uninformed people who we, yes we, they are a government agency, employ to make our roads safer. Laughable if it wasn't so sad.

[britboy215]

How will the independant driving be accomodated for candidates with dyslexia etc who are unable to read?

[MaddieLouxx]

@britboy215 I agree! DSA haven't taken anything into account.

[dsagov]

@MaddieLouxx @britboy215 DSA and the British Dyslexia Association have been collaborating to try and find reasonable adjustments for this element of the test for those people who have dyslexia. For more information please go to our Facebook page - 'Driving tests are changing - and I know how'.

[frank4111]

All this will do is increase failure rates generating more income for the DSA. The driving test as it exists already tests pupils on their ability to read road signs and markings. All this does is test a pupils memory not their ability to drive safely.

[garryunknown]

if they really want to make the roads a safer place they should bring in compulsery driving tests to be took every 5 years for all drivers

[jamesbloomfield89]

@garryunknown have a laugh

[mackat4ck]

@garryunknown That won't help! People will take their tests and then carry on driving stupidly afterwords. The demand for tests would be huge and the tests would be have to booked years in advance. It would put everyone out of pocket except the DSA who will spin vast amounts of cash from it and then refuse to use the money to build more test centres; choosing rather to waste the money on MP's expenses probably. (Sorry, I just felt like a rant)

[bobbuzzard]

Those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training combined with 22 hours of private practice. Learners who prepare this way, with a combination of plenty of professional training and plenty of practice, do better in the test

[moughal123456789]

Its all a money making scheme!! Ha

[beadydani]

what a lot of rubbish, have these people got nothing else to do. Is the test not hard enough as it.

I reckon all the so called Trial candidates all passed their tests, DSA is a joke!!

[richsm123]

Possible solutions for safer new drivers may be a tracker fitted to their vehicle to monitor speed and vehicle handling and maybe reducing insurance costs. Limit passengers. P plates compulsory. limit engine size. 40 hours supervised driving. Compulsory pass plus or motorway driving. All for the first 2 years they are insured, not from when the test is passed. Im sure their could be many other suggestions from other people and this is only my opinion for safer roads

[TheReapersToll]

this is pointless you do most of this learning to drive anyway

[OneWeekDrivingCourse]

As an instructor and also an advanced driver trainer, it constantly amazes me how little new drivers actually do see, especially relating to road signs or markings, followings signs is an exercise I already commonly use and 8 out of 10 drivers usually miss the first direction sign

[nomisr77]

What the video failed to say is that they want to concentrate more on driving rather than going round housing estates looking for somewhere to do a manovare. Therefore, they will only request one manovare, which will be any of the usual ones we use at the moment.

Following road signs is all well and good, but what if the sign is missing or covered by trees or bus stop sign etc ?

[Blaesht]

So this is going to be a tad patronising when I come to do my car test seeing as I've been riding around on my own for nearly 2 years on a full bike license.

[GuitarMasterGraeme]

1 or 2 less lol..

[cosmiccoolgirl]

@GuitarMasterGraeme Ah well, better than nothing, lol

[Koho199]

haha they should add a new pothole dodging test due to the appauling state of the roads currently.

[dnicholls1]

I think they should do this and then get rid of that stupid hazard perception test in the theory because i clicked too much because when I'm going out on the road what i see as a hazard e.g. Potholes or drains, dosent count.

[Skatersteve199]

@dnicholls1 made me chuckle ;)

[evealexsis]

Excellent idea! When I first passed I was scared to go anywhere alone. This will help alot of people who lack the confidence to get up and go, get lost and find your way home.

[fleetwoodsucks]

Haha what a load of rubbish. They seriously need to change the way you get your license in this country.

The buzzard prediction is a total joke as is 50 questions.

[jamesbloomfield89]

@fleetwoodsucks i second that better pass by october then can't be bothered with this