Changes to the UK Driving Test – What you Need to Know

Yesterday, the UK driving test changed in several ways. These changes are the most significant in many years. Get up to speed with what’s different with our handy guide below.

There are four key changes to the way the UK driving test will be structured. These differences in the new test are to keep up to date with changes to technology and innovation, to ensure that new drivers will pass their test ready to face the future.

The changes are also designed to help reduce road traffic accidents, as this is a cause of significant loss of life in the UK, particularly among young people, despite having some of the safest roads in the world.

Below, we outline the key changes:

Extra independent driving

Prior to the changes in the driving test, drivers were required to do ten minutes of independent driving during their test. This means driving without the guidance of an instructor. This has now been increased to 20 minutes. 

Use a Satnav

There is also a good chance that you’ll have to navigate using a satnav as part of your test – three out of four tests will require the use of a satnav, while one in four will require navigation via road signs.

Manoeuvres

Some manoeuvres are being removed from the driving test – namely the reverse around the corner and turn in the road. While you will now not be examined on these manoeuvres, the DVSA still recommends that you are taught these before completing your test.

The three manoeuvers that you might be tested on include: parking in a bay, parallel parking on the side of a road, and pulling up on the side of the road before reversing two car lengths and re-joining traffic.

Questions

There will still be several 'show me, tell me' questions on the test, as there were previously, however, there will be some changes to these questions.

You’ll still be asked to complete the ‘tell me’ question in the early part of the test, but the ‘show me’ questions will now be asked later on – during in the test itself. You may be asked to show the examiner how to use the windscreen wipers, for example.

What do you think about the changes to the driving test? Join the conversation on Twitter @WinnSolicitors.

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