Independent driving to become part of driving/riding tests

[Reload]

Just found this on the DSA website, thought it may be of interest to any PHers who haven't yet passed their driving tests/are planning on doing a further test such as mototcycle licence:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNew...

DSA said:

Independent driving explained
From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include a 10 minute section of independent driving.

During your test you'll have to drive independently by either following:

•a series of directions
•traffic signs
•a combination of both
To help you understand where you're going, the examiner may show you a diagram.

It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it's safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you're going.

I think it's a pretty good idea. Assuming they'll incorporate this into lessons, it should help to make new drivers more aware of what it's like to drive without someone sat there telling you where to go.

Apologies if it's a repost by the way, I did a search but didn't see anything.

[sleep envy]

when will they include the satnav test?

Edited by sleep envy on Wednesday 1st September 12:59

[rottie102]

sleep envy said:

when will they include the IQ test?

Edited by sleep envy on Wednesday 1st September 12:59

EFA

[rsv gone!]

sleep envy said:

when will they include the satnav test?

Edited by sleep envy on Wednesday 1st September 12:59

And the ability to text at 70mph?

[samdale]

decent enough idea though i guess it would have to be at the end of the test. and only then if the person had passed up until then. can't imagine an examiner testing someone and having to use the duel controls to stop them doing something stupid to then let them out on a road on their own.


what would people think to adding overtaking to the assessment? bit hard to implement but would be a good test to see if people could safely overtake say 1 slow moving vehicle and 1 bike/morotbike

[andy_s]

In another 30 years they'll be really radical and introduce motorways and night driving...



Sent from my carphone

Edited by andy_s on Wednesday 1st September 13:16

[G_T]

samdale said:

what would people think to adding overtaking to the assessment? bit hard to implement but would be a good test to see if people could safely overtake say 1 slow moving vehicle and 1 bike/morotbike

I would think that would be both excessive tricky to a newbie in a 1.0 Corsa and would demand a massive alteration to the test route to reliably find a safe opportunity to overtake.

Textbook overtaking is pretty tricky for the average driver IMO. Let alone a learner.

[heebeegeetee]

Quite a good idea. It's about time that navigation, or something resembling it, was taught.

I wonder how the art of 'independent driving' is going to be taught though?

[RB Will]

I read it as the examiner just sits there with you and you have to find your way from A to B

[CB154]

It's a start but agree re night driving. Should also have skid pan driving as well

[andy_s]

"Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills."

[samdale]

G_T said:

samdale said:

what would people think to adding overtaking to the assessment? bit hard to implement but would be a good test to see if people could safely overtake say 1 slow moving vehicle and 1 bike/morotbike

I would think that would be both excessive tricky to a newbie in a 1.0 Corsa and would demand a massive alteration to the test route to reliably find a safe opportunity to overtake.

Textbook overtaking is pretty tricky for the average driver IMO. Let alone a learner.

as i said, pretty hard to implement. but 20-40mph in a corsa is do-able im not talking overtaking someone doing 55 in a 60.

just brought it up as it was mentioned on a cycling forum as people seem to think its safe to overtake even if theres something coming the other way. i.e. "not enough room for them to fall off"

[anonymous-user]

Reload said:

DSA said:

Independent driving explained
From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include a 10 minute section of independent driving.

During your test you'll have to drive independently by either following:

• a series of directions
• traffic signs
• a combination of both

Erm, isn't that exactly how the current test works? Plus, as it doesn't matter if you go the wrong way, I can't see what they're supposed to be testing thats new?

[volumeone]

I think this is totally unnecessary. Its still under test conditions which are nothing like real-life driving.

The only thing that makes a good driver is experience. Extending driving tests is a load of sh*t to make more money and make it seem as if they are 'improving' standards.

[Chiswickboy]

Symbolica said:

Reload said:

DSA said:

Independent driving explained
From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include a 10 minute section of independent driving.

During your test you'll have to drive independently by either following:

• a series of directions
• traffic signs
• a combination of both

Erm, isn't that exactly how the current test works? Plus, as it doesn't matter if you go the wrong way, I can't see what they're supposed to be testing thats new?

That was what I thought. Perhaps they have changed the driving test in the last few years but I thought you had to observe and obey traffic signs during the practical test or is it a case of everyone getting A*?

[Herman Toothrot]

I have module 2 of the bike test in two weeks time, currently I'm going to be followed by and instructor saying turn this way, turn that way etc over a radio. I have been told that this is going to change next year so that it becomes "we are here on map, I want you to follow road signs to here, I will follow and watch".

So essentially the same thing but without the active prompting.

[Engineer1]

Yeah sounds like a case of get to a point and get told to head for the library, the hospital or the school (somewhere that would be signposted fairly obviously). The issues I can see is it won't take long for driving instructors to figure out the landmarks that are likely to be used and coach people on the routes. After all you can only expect a nervous learner to navigate to somewhere that gives them a couple of possible routes and is well signed otherwise miss a signpost because someone is parked infront of it and you're fked.

[Starfighter]

Examiner - We will now do some independent driving. Mr Smith. I'd like you set off and continue through Cheltenham following the signs for the A40 Oxford until I tell you otherwise (or we reach Shorpe)."
Canditate - Yeah man, wodevr. Just quit hassln me and dig these moves.

Edited by Starfighter on Wednesday 1st September 21:06

[Dr Jekyll]

volumeone said:

I think this is totally unnecessary. Its still under test conditions which are nothing like real-life driving.

Apart from the added pressure of having an examiner next to you it virtually is real-life driving.

[jr123]

My test is on the 5th guess I'v got to follow directions, I want to say how hard can it be but I'm going to fail for sure