Learner drivers are now 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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Testimonials
Passed first time! I passed 1st time with 3 minors...I feel Mike is the best instructor to go to thanks Mike! (Leslie)
I'm now a confident driver! Before I started my lessons, I'd never sat behind a wheel let alone driven a car! I passed my test a couple of weeks ago and I'm happy to say that I'm a confident driver and really enjoy driving. Thank you Michael! I'm gonna miss having lessons as they were a lot of fun. It's difficult to find a good instructor that's not gonna rip you off which is why I'd gladly recommend drive2freedom. (Charbel)
Helped build my confidence! Thanks for all your help to get me pass the test in such short space of time. Thanks for not patronizing me like other instructor I had. Thank you for your words of encouragement when I remembered to check the mirror and made the right judgment on the road, it really helped me building my confidence. (Steven)
Passed test first time! Mike is a great driving instructor! I have just passed my test, first time, with no problems because of him. He is a really good instructor and I will be recommending him to everyone I know. Thanks for helping me to pass first time...I really appreciate it! (James)
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