Independent Driving, a guide

Independent
driving

The driving test has changed - it now includes a section on
'independent driving'. This change is designed to mimic the conditions under
which you will be driving after you have passed your test. In order to succeed
in this section you will need to demonstrate your ability to drive whilst
making your own decisions about where you are going and to use your own
initiative when unsure.

Our experience with candidates who have already taken a test with
independent driving suggests that learners should have nothing to fear from
this part of the test, and some are really pleased with the change as it means
you will only need to carry out one of the four manoeuvres.
From our perspective, most good instructors will have been
teaching this before it became part of the test, for example they may have
asked you to find your way home at the end of the lesson. We feel that it is a
really positive change to the driving test, and refocuses the test more on
driving and less on manoeuvres.
In this article, we aim to give you an idea of what to expect from
independent driving, to deal with some of the misinformation that has been
spread about independent driving and most importantly to deal with the faults
that independent driving might expose so that you can be prepared to successfully
handle this part of the test.  
How does it work?

At some point during the driving test, the examiner will ask you
to pull over at the side road in a convenient place. This will take place a
number of times during the test, but on one of the occasions the examiner will
take the opportunity to introduce the independent driving part of the test.

 For a period of up to 10 minutes, you will be asked to follow a
series of directions or traffic signs (or a combination of both). The examiner
may show you a diagram to help you understand where you are going. When you are
ready, the examiner will ask you to drive on and the independent driving
section of the test will be underway. 
What could go wrong? 

Will I fail the test for going the wrong way? In short, no. This section of the
test is NOT about testing your skills at navigation or orientation. It IS about
you demonstrating that you can make your own decisions about how to get to
where you are going.

So, can I ask the examiner which way to go? Yes. If you are unsure about where
to go, the examiner can assist you, but you must decide the appropriate time to
ask. Don’t leave it to the last minute otherwise you may find yourself in the
wrong lane, or have insufficient time to tackle a junction safely. Remember, even
experienced drivers can get lost or go the wrong away – that is perfectly
acceptable, but you must drive safely and not make sudden or dangerous changes
of direction.

What happens if the examiner distracts me? Sorry, but this is something you
will need to cope with, after all that could happen when you are driving with
friends in the car. For example, the examiner may point out a traffic sign to
help you work out where to go – it is up to you to look at the sign at the
appropriate time and not when you should be looking somewhere else.

 Am I more likely to fail the test now? We don’t believe so, as has always
been the case you will pass the test if you drive safely and don’t
inconvenience other road users – nothing has changed on this front. In fact,
the Driving Standards Agency have said that during trials there was no
significant fall in the pass rate. Only time will tell, but we do not expect
lower a pass rate. 

I have some special needs, how will they be met? The Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
already has procedures to identify special needs and disabilities when tests
are booked online or over the phone. The examiner will then know which type of
special needs the you have so reasonable adjustments can be made. For
independent driving this could be asking you which method you prefer for the
section – in other words, following signs, or a series of directions (a maximum
of three) which are supported by a diagram approved by the British Dyslexia
Association. In some cases this will be shortened to just two directions. The DSA
recognise there are many ways of developing perfectly road-safe coping
strategies in order to navigate from A to B and is satisfied that examiners
will manage the situation accordingly. Independent driving is a significant
road safety addition to the practical driving test but it will not prevent you
from holding a licence. The DSA have said that they are determined that no
member of society should suffer detriment due to any change they introduce. If
you have particular concerns, raise these with your instructor in plenty of
time, so that you can fully prepare and understand what works for you.

I don’t speak English, how will I cope? Driving examiners are very experienced at dealing with candidates who speak little or no English and they’ll be able to manage the situation
accordingly. For example, sometimes this will include writing place names so it

candidates, when asked to follow a series of verbal directions the examiner can
show a diagram, so that they can picture the route they’ve been asked to take. Just
as currently, the candidate can have an interpreter along with them on their test
if they wish. Since 6 April 2010 ADIs have been able to act as an interpreter
for their own pupils.  
What will happen if I go the wrong way? The examiner will adapt the
route, or guide you back on to the route and continue with the independent
driving. The test will not be terminated. If the examiner notices you are about
to go the wrong way, they may intervene if appropriate, as they have done prior
to independent driving.  
What if signs are missing or obstructed? The examiner may intervene and give you directions, you will not be penalised for not knowing the way, only if you commit a driving fault. 
Will the independent driving section be carried out in one go?  Possibly, but it could be broken into two separate parts at different points during the test. However, the examiner will tell you if you are starting the first or second part of the independent driving section.

Can I use a Sat-Nav for this part of the test? No, the directions from a
Sat-Nav are similar to directions from an examiner, so this would be
inappropriate.

 What else could go wrong? This part of the test is designed to see how you cope without being told where to go. For example, the examiner may ask you to turn right at the end of the road – this instruction would alert you to the presence of a junction. Without the instructions a
candidate might not see the junction if they are not using proper observation.
It is important that you are seeing traffic signs and road markings and taking
appropriate steps to respond to them.   What happens if I do not have time to read the signs? You may be approaching a
junction too fast to read the direction signs, so be sure that when you are
uncertain where you are going that you allow sufficient time to read the signs.
You must take into account other dangers on the road when reading signs, so it
is important not to stare at them – use quick glances, and make sure you are
looking everywhere else that you should be looking (eg. ahead and using your mirrors). 
How will I know when the ‘independent drive’ is over? The examiner will tell you, and then give you directions as you drive.


Hopefully, that gives you a clearer idea of what to expect – but if you have further questions, contact us via our website at www.greatdriver.co.uk and we will endeavour to give you a personal reply and add your question to this article.
P.S. We have attached a link to a Driving Standards
Agency video, which we recommend that you watch to improve your understanding
of what to expect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRl3zkkOgg