Independent thinking section to be added to UK driving test

Revamped test to encourage navigation skills

Learner drivers in the UK will be expected to think for themselves more than ever before later this year, as a new section of the practical driving test designed to encourage independent thinking is being introduced.  The new section, will involve candidates driving to a pre-determined location decided upon by their examiner.  The journey, which will take learners about 10 minutes, is designed to simulate what might happen if a driver becomes lost and has to navigate without instructions from anyone else.

The introduction of this new part of the driving test is designed to address a weakness that the DSA (The Driving Standards Association) identified in the current test.  According to the agency, the driving test does not do enough to prepare learners for unaccompanied driving after they pass their test.  At the moment, driving examiners use verbal prompts to tell candidates where to drive, which gives the candidates clues about, for example, which lane to be in at a junction.

This new section of the test is just the latest in a series of steps taken by the DSA in recent years to make the driving test harder.  A trial run of the new independent navigation section saw learners making around 5 times as many mistakes compared to the traditional test – the pass rate for this new style test was around 18% compared with nearly 46% for the current car test.  The learners who were trialling the test commented that it was “mentally demanding and frustrating”.

Introduction of the new style test will take place on 4th October this year, and will cost the same as the current practical test.  Candidates for the new test will still be required to take the separate driving theory test.

Compensation claims for learner drivers

At Camps Solicitors, we are dedicated to helping drivers and passengers who have been injured in accidents that they were not responsible for causing to claim compensation for their injuries.  It doesn’t matter how long you have been driving for, whether the accident took place the day you passed you test, or if you have been driving for 20-odd years, as long as you were not to blame we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Our car accident solicitors will carefully examine the evidence to make sure you are not short-changed by the other side when it comes to deciding on a level of compensation to be paid.  After all, just because you might not be an experienced driver, it does not mean your claim should be treated any differently to someone who has years of experience.

If you would like to find out more about how Camps can help you, call now on 0800 092 8586, or if you’re using a mobile, 0333 200 5586.