Safe Speed Forums

Anyone seen this ?
Independent driving and riding section of the practical test Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010. Find out what independent driving is and how it will be assessed during the practical driving test.
Independent driving explained

Watch a video about independent driving

Independent driving Opens new windowFrom 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include approximately 10 minutes of independent driving.

During your test you’ll have to drive independently 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.

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.



http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Le ... /DG_189979

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lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on

Perfect, more of this type of thing please!

Anything that moves away from the set routes at the mo has to be a good idea. As I understand it, one can currently pretty much learn the n routes that a town's driving examiner will use and nothing else.

Having said that, reading the link it sounds like you can pretty much go anywhere you like in the independent section of the test as long as you drive properly:

This is nothing new, on my driving test I was instructed to take the next turning on the left. For some peculiar reason, I came to the junction and performed a perfect right turn, correct road positioning observation and indication etc. The instructor had me stop a few hundred yards after that and informed me of the fact that I had gone the wrong way, but added that we would simply do the 3 point turn a little earlier than anticipated. I did pass that test.

What disturbs me with the current test is that the student driver will not perform all of the manoeuvres during the test. My wife passed her test, and never performed the parallel park, which is fortunate because she is hopeless at it.

They don't do all the maneuvers.
If one does a three-point-turn then he/she will not do an emergency stop...etc...
The same route is not used for all driving tests either....several routes are used depending upon the amount of tests for that day, the time of day and various other aspects....weather etc.
I suspect that the "DIY" tests will only be for a small proportion of the test.

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The world runs on oil, period. No other substance can compete when it comes to energy density, flexibility, ease of handling, ease of transportation. If oil didn’t exist we would have to invent it.”

56 years after it was decided it was needed, the Bedford Bypass is nearing completion. The last single carriageway length of it.We have the most photogenic mayor though, always being photographed doing nothing

That's the way i read it . I suppose it would be reasonable to suggest that it might be the last point of the test ,after the candidate has passed all the other points .

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lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on

It won't be the last part, that is parking the car.
I don't see it being much different, the examiners are hardly conversationally-engaging anyway.

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The world runs on oil, period. No other substance can compete when it comes to energy density, flexibility, ease of handling, ease of transportation. If oil didn’t exist we would have to invent it.”

56 years after it was decided it was needed, the Bedford Bypass is nearing completion. The last single carriageway length of it.We have the most photogenic mayor though, always being photographed doing nothing