Change ahead for new drivers
LEARNER drivers in Halton will have to pass a new test from December after changes were announced in a bid to help save lives and improve road safety,
The driving test has been modernised which will include new manoeuvres and a longer independent driving section to make sure motorists have the skills, knowledge and confidence to drive on their own.
The changes will also include a section where drivers use satellite navigation to find their way.
The new driving test will come into force in Runcorn, Widnes and the rest of the country on Monday, December 4.
A Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) spokesman said changes include an increase of the independent driving part of the test from 10 to 20 minutes, and asking candidates to follow directions on a sat nav as an alternative to following road signs.
Current manoeuvres such as reversing around a corner will also be replaced with more real life scenarios such as driving into and out of a parking bay, and one of the two vehicle safety questions will now be asked while the candidate is driving such as how to use the rear heated screen.
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 DVSA spokesman said that around half of all car drivers now have a sat nav and to reflect the changing behaviours of drivers, the organisation wants new motorists to be trained on how to use them safely.
The move was supported by 70% of respondents from a consultation last year.
The new-style manoeuvres will allow the DVSA to assess the same skill set as the changes are more representative of what a new driver will experience in their everyday driving.
Reducing the focus on slow speed manoeuvres in quiet low risk roads and increasing independent driving will also allow DVSA examiners to better assess a learner’s ability to drive safely on higher-risk roads, where statistically, new drivers have the most crashes.
DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.
“Making sure the driving test better assesses a driver’s ability to drive safely and independently is part of our strategy to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.
“It’s vital that the driving test keeps up to date with new vehicle technology and the areas where new drivers face the greatest risk once they’ve passed their test.”