Independent Driving and the New Driving Test

The independent driving or riding section will be included in the following practical driving tests:

• car
• motorcycle module two
• large goods vehicle (LGV)
• passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) tests
• approved driving instructor (ADI) driving ability (sometimes called ‘part two’)
• taxi

During your test you’ll have to drive independently for about 10 minutes by either following:

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

To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram (there is a sample at the bottom of the page). 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

Route, Directions and Sat Navs

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 will not 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

There will be times when, due to poor or obscured signage, the examiner may have to intervene. If this happens the examiner would say, ‘There are no signs here. Just continue ahead please’ and then, ‘Now, carry on following the signs to ……’  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. DSA is therefore taking the opportunity to review the appropriateness of current route publication practices. The independent driving section of the test is approximately 10 minutes when you will be asked to drive making your own decisions. 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

Other Changes

Manoeuvres

In order to accommodate the new independent section of the test, the number of technical manoeuvres the candidate will be ask to perform will be reduced from two to one. These manoeuvres are:

• Parallel Parking
• Reverse into a junction
• Turn in the Road
• Bay Parking

Special needs

The Driving Standards Agency (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

Driving examiners are very experienced at dealing with candidates who speak little or no English. For example, sometimes they will write place names so it is clear to you where you’re being asked to drive to

Sample Diagram

DSA Video