In addition to mirror, signal, manoeuvring, prospective drivers will soon have to demonstrate their “real life” driving skills if they want to pass their test.
Starting on 4 December, a new element to the practical exam will see motorists prove they can honk the horn, open windows and wash the windscreen without losing control of the car. These will take the form of “show me” questions – those who cannot stay in control of their vehicle while demonstrating the requested task will immediately fail the test.
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The new measures are being introduced following concerns that people are passing their driving test only to have an accident within months of driving under real-world conditions, and are aimed at ensuring novices can manage regular tasks while still driving safely.
DVSA chief driving examiner Lesley Young told The Independent: “DVSA priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.
“Asking a ‘show me’ question while driving will be valuable preparation for the types of things drivers need to do safely while driving.
“With less than three months to go until the driving test changes, it’s important that learner drivers work with their driving instructor to make sure they can carry out all of these tasks safely.”
Sat-navs will also be introduced into the test, while three-point turns are being phased out in favour of reversing into a parking space. The test will be longer, too; candidates will be required to demonstrate 20 minutes of solo driving.
Learners will need to show they can follow verbal directions from the sat-nav while driving or follow road signs.
Before the practical section, candidates will have to answer one “tell me” question, describing how they would carry out various safety checks, for example how they would check that the brakes were working before starting a journey.
A spokesperson from road safety charity Brake.org told The Independent: “These changes will go some way to improving the test, although we want to see a total overhaul in the way we learn to drive in the UK – following a graduated licencing system (as they have in Australia and NZ) meaning you have to build up skills over a longer period of time and have compulsory lessons on rural roads (pre test) and motorways (after the first test), for example.”
