Learning to drive

Tai Altman I

ndependent driving. What’s it all about? The most recent addition to the practical test, it is designed to test your ability to drive without being given continuous direction, for approximately 10 minutes.

There are two options to how this might be done. Either you will be asked to follow road signs to a place, or you will be given a series of directions in advance and asked to carry them out. You will be shown a card with a series of directions on it, and sometimes asked to repeat them back to the examiner if it appears you are not too sure of what they are. You may get wholly one or the other option, or a combination of both, with up to three different sets of directions if this option is used.

So does independent driving really help test a driver’s ability to drive?

Each option has its own benefits. Evenin thisdayand age of sat navs, being able to read a road sign is very important.

For starters, when a pupil is learning to drive they start off taking directions from me on where to go so their eye line is concentrated at road level. Being able to raise that to the level of signs whennecessary is important and this is something I develop with a pupil as their ability improves.

Being able to take the time to readaroadsign whilst still aware of your surroundings on the road is something that should be tested. It can also highlight to pupils that not all signs are particularly well designed.

The large sign approaching Inshes spiral roundabout travelling east along the distributor road is a case in point. I have had pupils asked to follow signs toperth along this route on their driving test, and the way it is presented on the sign it can look like you are being directed all the way around and back along the road you are on, especially under the pressure of being on your driving test. So much so that some examiners have prompted my pupils to tell them if they are confused by that particular sign, and have asked them whether they know where they are going once past it.

The other option of following a series of directions seems a bit odd a first. After all, it’s just telling the pupil three directions at once rather than one after another. Also, if you’re not sure at any time whilst carrying out the directions, and ask the examiner for clarification they will tell you – it’s not a test of your memory. But it is necessary, as there just aren’t enough routes in Inverness where you can follow signs for 10 minutes.

By using the directions, tests can be continuously updatedandkept fresh. The other thing to keep in mind if you get this option on your test is that you will need to stop and move off up to three more times (to be shown the directions), so be very mindful of doing this safely each time and not becoming complacent.

Being able to raise your eye line to the level of signs when necessary is an important skill for pupils to learn