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Independent driving: Practical driving test

Here at Apex Driving School we are always one step ahead and in doing so have added this page to help pupils understand the “Independent Driving” part of your practical exam.

We have done our homework by sitting in the back of practical tests at many local driving tests.

The Driving Test Centres that we have targeted are as follows:

Croydon Driving Test Centre, Sutton Driving Test Centre, Norwood Driving Test Centre,  

Morden Driving Test Centre, Tolworth Driving Test Centre, West Wickham Driving Test Centre.

Independent driving: Practical driving test explained

From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include a section of ‘independent driving’.
During your test you’ll have to drive by either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both, for about ten minutes.
It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.


The candidate will be asked to do ONE of the following:

· Drive to a destination following traffic signs.
· Drive following a series of verbal directions - Diagrams will be shown to candidates given verbal directions.
· Drive using a combination of both of the above methods.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

The independent driving route:

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.
If you go off the independent driving route it won’t affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault.
If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.
If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, 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.

Newspaper reports:

Some newspapers have claimed that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate. This claim 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.

 

 

 

 

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