When is the driving test set to change in 2017?

THE scrapping of reversing around a corner is among changes to the driving test that will come into force this year, when a major shake-up takes place.

The driving test in England, as well as in Scotland and Wales, will change from Monday, December 4.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said the changes were designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they will need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving, and to bring the UK test up-to-date with changes to technology.

The changes will only apply to car driving tests to begin with. Key changes include:

Doubling the duration of independent driving from 10 to 20 minutes

Scrapping manoeuvres such as reversing around a corner Replacing them with more common scenarios such as driving nto a parking bay. Asking one of two vehicle safety questions while the candidate is driving. This could include asking them to use the rear heated screen.

Motoring research charity RAC Foundation said it was the biggest shake up of the test since the written theory exam was introduced in 1996.

Transport ministers say the moves will save lives and improve road safety.

Transport minister Andrew Jones said: “We have some of the safest roads in the world but we are always looking to make them safer.

“These changes announced today will help reduce the number of people killed or injured on our roads and equip new drivers with the skills they need to use our roads safely.

“Ensuring the driving test is relevant in the 21st century, for example the introduction of sat navs, will go a long way towards doing this.”

The minimum age at which one can take a UK driving test is currently 16 for mopeds and 17 for cars.

In GB around 1.6 million people sit the practical car test per year, with a pass rate of around 43%. The theory test has a pass rate of around 51.6%.

UK driving licences were introduced by the Motor Car Act 1903 but no test was required.

A test for disabled drivers was introduced by the Road Traffic Act 1930.

Legislation for compulsory testing was introduced for all new drivers with the Road Traffic Act 1934.

The test was initially voluntary to avoid a rush of candidates until 1 June 1935 when all people who had started to drive on or after 1 April 1934 needed to have passed the test.

Testing was suspended during World War II, and was suspended again during the Suez Crisis in 1956 to allow examiners help to administer petrol rations.

The driving theory test was introduced in July 1996 as a written examination, which was updated to computerised format in 2000.

The hazard perception segment of the theory test, was introduced in November 2002.

In January 2015, new CGI clips replaced the real-life video clips in the Hazard Perception Test.