Independent driving: the facts

Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010.

It's tasking the candidate to drive for about 10 minutes, either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both.

To help the candidate be clear about where they’re going, the examiner can show them a diagram too.

It doesn't matter if candidates don't remember every direction, or if they go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Newspaper reports

The claim in some newspapers that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate is based on early research where conditions did not reflect the eventual design of the new element of the test.

Subsequent trials with a larger number of participants and more closely reflecting the conditions in the planned new test showed no significant fall in the pass rate.

Video shows independent driving

Independent driving FAQ

Will test prices go up when independent driving comes into the test?

The length of driving tests and test fees will not change when independent driving is introduced.

Will you fail if you go the wrong way or forget the directions?

Independent driving is not a test of the candidate’s orientation skills. If the candidate goes off route, but does not commit a fault, there’s nothing to assess. Any faults that did occur would be assessed under the circumstances at the time - as usual. There is no change to assessment.

What will happen if a traffic sign is not visible or readable for whatever reason (for example, blocked by a lorry, trees, or it's been removed or defaced)?

There will be times when, due to poor or obscured signage, the examiner may have to intervene. If this happens the examiner would say, ‘There are no signs here. Just continue ahead please’ and then, ‘Now, carry on following the signs to ……’

Can a candidate ask the examiner to repeat directions whilst driving?

If the candidate asks for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will be happy to confirm them. Driving independently means making your own decisions and, just like when driving with friends, this includes deciding when? it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation on where you’re going.

During the test

The independent driving section will last about 10 minutes. It may be at the start, somewhere in the middle, or at the end of the test, depending on the route the examiner uses.

The examiner will always ask the candidate to pull up on the left in a safe place before explaining what’s required and making sure they know what’s expected of them. This happens already when the examiner asks the candidate to pull up on the left before explaining a manoeuvre. The same will happen for independent driving.