<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="65001"%> Sarah Legge - Professional Driver Training - Independent Driving

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Independent Driving

From 4 October 2010 the UK driving test changed away from the examiners always giving step-by-step instructions for the entire length of the test. Historically, the UK driving test has always been conducted with step-by-step instructions being given such as 'at the end of the road, turn right' etc. Now, the driving test contains a 10 minute section of independent driving where you are expected to either drive following a series of directions, following traffic signs towards a certain destination, or a combination of both. To clarify this further, the examiner can show you a diagram to help.

One of the most important things to remember is that it does not matter if you don't remember every direction, or even if you go the wrong way! It happens to the best of us, and it will happen to you when you're driving on your own. Independent driving is a method of testing to make sure that you understand how to approach all types of junctions without requiring a prompt telling you which direction you'll be taking. I'm sure during your lessons you've probably realised that when I say 'at the end of the road turn right' that triggers you to check your mirrors, signal right and go through the rest of the routine for approaching junctions. Independent driving has been added to the test to give you more experience of driving without those prompts that won't be there once you're on your own (unless you own a particularly nifty sat-nav!).

If at any point during the independent driving section of your test you're unsure of where to go, it's fine to ask the examiner for confirmation, the same as you'd do if there was a friend in the car and you've forgotten the way. If you go the wrong way the examiner will help you to get back onto the correct route and continue with the independent driving. If the road signs are poor or obscured, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won't need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

To ensure that independent driving is able to test what it has been set out to test, the routes will no longer be published online.

Please do not worry about this change to the driving test, it's to make you a safer, more confident driver. We'll practise independent driving during your lessons so you'll know exactly what to expect when test day arrives so you'll be really well prepared. I'm sure you'd like to know more information about this important change to the test, so I've embedded the DSA You Tube video which tells you all about it below. It's about 5 minutes long, but will hopefully answer any further questions you have. If for any reason your computer doesn't let you view this please click here to be taken direct to YouTube.