Latest information from the DVSA

​Back in April 2017, we announced that the driving test will change from 4 December 2017. The changes include:

•       increasing the independent drive to 20 minutes
•       following directions from a sat nav
•       revising the manoeuvres
•       answering a vehicle safety question while driving

The changes will make sure new drivers have the skills they need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving. They’re supported by driver training and road safety representatives who helped us to develop and trial them.
Any test taken on or after 4 December will be the new test. So, we want to make sure you have the information you need to prepare your pupils and help them stay safe on Britain’s roads.
Following my last blog, I’ve received a number of questions about the changes so I wanted to give you more information about they’ll work during test.
Real-life manoeuvres  
We’re revising the manoeuvres so they better reflect real-life scenarios and how people drive today.
It’s vital your pupils know when it’s safe to carry out these manoeuvres, and when it isn’t.
Pulling up on the right
This manoeuvre involves pulling up on the right-hand side of the road, reversing for approximately 2 car lengths and then re-joining the traffic.
Whilst the Highway Code advises not to park against the flow of traffic, it’s a legal manoeuvre that’s carried out by a lot of drivers on today’s roads. You might use it when pulling over to nip into a shop, post a letter, deliver a parcel or even if you live on the right hand side of the road. So, it’s important learner drivers are trained to do it safely.
All your pupils will need to be prepared to pull up on the right when safe to do so, and then reverse. If a vehicle pulls in front then the exercise will continue. If a vehicle pulls in behind and stops your pupil from reversing, then the exercise will stop and another manoeuvre will be carried out later in the test.
Forward parking in a bay
An essential part of everyday driving for most people is the ability to park safely.
We know that sometimes it can be more convenient to drive forward into a parking bay, such as in a supermarket car park when loading shopping, which is why we’re adding this to the test.
We understand you’ll need to use a car park to let your pupils practice this manoeuvre. We know you’ll be considerate of the car park owners and their customers by varying the car parks you use and moving on promptly.
Managing real distractions
Our research shows that 52% of car drivers now have a sat nav so it’s important that drivers can use them safely. Using a sat nav on the test means that examiners will be able to better assess how pupils drive independently whilst dealing with distractions. Before the test starts, the examiner will secure the sat nav on the car dashboard using a special dash mat.
During the test your pupil won’t need to touch the sat nav. The sat nav screen will be on throughout the test but won’t show directions until the independent driving part of the test, when the examiner will activate the pre-loaded section of the route. The sound will be used for the independent driving part of the test unless your pupil asks for it to be turned off.
The sat nav we’re using
We’ll be using a TomTom Start 52 for the test, but I’d like to stress that it doesn’t matter what sat nav you use for lessons.
Our examiners won’t be looking at whether your pupil can set up and use a sat nav. They’ll be assessing how they manage the distraction whilst driving.
Your pupils can practice with any sat nav, including using a mobile phone as a sat nav. As long as the phone is suitably mounted and your pupil doesn’t adjust the phone whilst driving it’s not illegal.
As we’ll be using our own sat navs with stored test routes, it would help your pupil’s test run more smoothly if you remove your sat nav before their test. Leaving your sat nav in the car could create an additional distraction for your pupil or make it more difficult to set up the examiner’s sat nav.
Following road signs
Your pupils may still be asked to follow road signs during the independent drive rather than use a sat nav. It’s important your pupils are taught both methods of navigation as 1 in 5 tests will still follow road signs.
‘Show me, tell me’ questions
We’ve updated the ‘show me, tell me’ questions that your pupils will need to prepare for from 4 December. The main difference will be that one of the show me questions will be asked while your pupil is driving. But, the main topics have stayed the same.
Changing the routes - improving road safety
We’re committed to reducing the number of young drivers who are killed and seriously injured in road collisions. Most fatal collisions happen on high-speed or rural roads, so we want to make sure that everyone can use these roads safely.
Revising the manoeuvres will allow more of these high-risk roads to be included in driving test routes, as they won’t all need to be carried out on quieter side streets.
Using a sat nav on the test will also help to introduce better routes and different types of roads. Currently we carry out the independent drive on quieter side streets where there are more traffic signs for your pupil to follow. Using a sat nav means we’ll be able to conduct more of the test in more challenging driving environments such as on rural roads where there are fewer traffic signs.
How we’re assessing deaf drivers
We want everyone who's able to drive safely to be able to take and pass their driving test.
We worked closely with the British Deaf Association and showed them a demonstration of the new test when we were trialling the changes.
Their feedback was positive and they agreed to introduce a sat nav to the test made it easier for deaf drivers to have directions communicated to them, as they’ll get a visual aid.
There’s a good write-up on the British Deaf News website with more information about the impact the changes will have on deaf drivers.
Get in touch
We’re excited about introducing these changes to the test so that a new generation of drivers will have the skills and knowledge to help them through a lifetime of safe driving.
If you have any further questions about the changes, please ask them in the comments below. We want to make sure you have the information you need before the changes take effect on 4 December.