2015 DVSA Trial driving test
2015 DVSA Trial driving test
All ADSOM instructors fully support the amendments to the testing system, and the trial currently under way at selected test centres. The only Driving Test Centre currently offering the trial in our area is Sheffield Handsworth, and at the moment candidates have the choice to opt in or out of the trial.
Below we will outline the differences in the test. Any areas not mentioned have not changed. These changes only refer to the trial test at the moment. No manoeuvres are being removed from the current test, and in the event the trial being extended or the L test changes being taken onboard, we as a driving school will still ensure our pupils can do all manoeuvres.
Show me / Tell me changes:
There will be one “tell me” questions at the start of the test before the candidate moves off and one “show me” question on the move at some point during the test. The show me question may, for example be a request to show how to use a control when it is safe to do so. This will be no different to the need to demist the car if it starts misting up, or using the wipers if it starts raining.
Independent driving and use of sat navs:
Previously there was a 10 minute section in the test for independent driving.
In the trial this is being increased to 20 mins and some manoeuvres in the current test are being left out of the trial as there are less crashes involving injuries due to poor manoeuvring on side streets.
The need to change the way we train people in regards to new technology has become more urgent in the light of the number of deaths and injuries in crashes caused by people being distracted by (for example sat nav units whilst driving. The DVSA want to look to move with the times and help new drivers cope with the rigours of modern driving.
A sat nav (currently using TomTom Go 50 but this may change after trials) will be brought out by the examiner (power socket may be required) and the candidate will be asked to follow the sat nav to the predetermined destination, obeying all road and traffic signs.
Both visual and verbal directions will be given by the sat nav, and if the incorrect route is taken, the sat nav will recalculate, or the examiner will step in and direct back to the route. Leaving the route will not be marked down if the rules of the road are followed and the exercise is completed safely.
If there is a complicated junction, the examiner will step in and advise the driver on approach so they can plan their drive safely.
The driver should always use the speed given by the speedometer of the car - this is the reading the examiner will use. The speed indicated by the sat nav may vary.
NEW MANOEUVRES
1. Pull up on the right and reverse.
This has been introduced to demonstrate a more common display of the real life type of manoeuvre carried out by people when they have passed. After all not many people do the traditional “three point turn” after passing do they?
The examiner will ask the candidate to pull up on the opposite side of the road, in a parking position. When this has been done they will ask them to reverse for two or three car lengths . This is more akin to the types of situations we will find ourselves in after passing. People who go on to become drivers (perhaps delivering etc) benefit from these skills.
They will have to then drive on safely taking suitable observations to regain their own side of the road.
2. Forward parking into a bay.
Again a perfectly legal exercise, and one commonly used practically by many drivers across the country (and the world). Although we would recommending reversing into bays as this is a safer practise, we need to ensure that whichever the pupil decides to use in the future they can do safely.
In a public car park the candidate will be asked to drive forwards into a bay, stop, and then reverse back out and drive away (taking suitable observations whilst doing so).
When reversing out of the bay you will be asked to do so either to the left or right depending on traffic levels.
You will not be allowed to drive through two empty bays.
When the trial results are assessed, a decision will be made as to whether to continue with the changes, which bits have worked / not worked.
Full details of the changes are on:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-the-driving-test/improving-the-driving-test
which includes video explanations of the relevant manoeuvres.
All our instructors have been teaching to these standards already and all learners with us will be taught the full syllabus to make sure we can drive safely on the road at all times.
Below we will outline the differences in the test. Any areas not mentioned have not changed. These changes only refer to the trial test at the moment. No manoeuvres are being removed from the current test, and in the event the trial being extended or the L test changes being taken onboard, we as a driving school will still ensure our pupils can do all manoeuvres.
Show me / Tell me changes:
There will be one “tell me” questions at the start of the test before the candidate moves off and one “show me” question on the move at some point during the test. The show me question may, for example be a request to show how to use a control when it is safe to do so. This will be no different to the need to demist the car if it starts misting up, or using the wipers if it starts raining.
Independent driving and use of sat navs:
Previously there was a 10 minute section in the test for independent driving.
In the trial this is being increased to 20 mins and some manoeuvres in the current test are being left out of the trial as there are less crashes involving injuries due to poor manoeuvring on side streets.
The need to change the way we train people in regards to new technology has become more urgent in the light of the number of deaths and injuries in crashes caused by people being distracted by (for example sat nav units whilst driving. The DVSA want to look to move with the times and help new drivers cope with the rigours of modern driving.
A sat nav (currently using TomTom Go 50 but this may change after trials) will be brought out by the examiner (power socket may be required) and the candidate will be asked to follow the sat nav to the predetermined destination, obeying all road and traffic signs.
Both visual and verbal directions will be given by the sat nav, and if the incorrect route is taken, the sat nav will recalculate, or the examiner will step in and direct back to the route. Leaving the route will not be marked down if the rules of the road are followed and the exercise is completed safely.
If there is a complicated junction, the examiner will step in and advise the driver on approach so they can plan their drive safely.
The driver should always use the speed given by the speedometer of the car - this is the reading the examiner will use. The speed indicated by the sat nav may vary.
NEW MANOEUVRES
1. Pull up on the right and reverse.
This has been introduced to demonstrate a more common display of the real life type of manoeuvre carried out by people when they have passed. After all not many people do the traditional “three point turn” after passing do they?
The examiner will ask the candidate to pull up on the opposite side of the road, in a parking position. When this has been done they will ask them to reverse for two or three car lengths . This is more akin to the types of situations we will find ourselves in after passing. People who go on to become drivers (perhaps delivering etc) benefit from these skills.
They will have to then drive on safely taking suitable observations to regain their own side of the road.
2. Forward parking into a bay.
Again a perfectly legal exercise, and one commonly used practically by many drivers across the country (and the world). Although we would recommending reversing into bays as this is a safer practise, we need to ensure that whichever the pupil decides to use in the future they can do safely.
In a public car park the candidate will be asked to drive forwards into a bay, stop, and then reverse back out and drive away (taking suitable observations whilst doing so).
When reversing out of the bay you will be asked to do so either to the left or right depending on traffic levels.
You will not be allowed to drive through two empty bays.
When the trial results are assessed, a decision will be made as to whether to continue with the changes, which bits have worked / not worked.
Full details of the changes are on:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-the-driving-test/improving-the-driving-test
which includes video explanations of the relevant manoeuvres.
All our instructors have been teaching to these standards already and all learners with us will be taught the full syllabus to make sure we can drive safely on the road at all times.
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