DVSA launches driving test trial to boost rural and high-speed road exposure

The DVSA has launched a three-month driving test trial across 20 driving test centres to make the practical driving test more realistic and relevant for today’s road conditions.

The changes, which came into force on Tuesday 6 May, are aimed at ensuring learner drivers gain greater experience on high-speed and rural roads – areas identified as particularly high-risk for novice drivers.

Key changes include:

• Fewer test stops: The number of stops during the test will be reduced from two to one, allowing more time to be spent on higher-speed roads, including rural routes.

• Emergency stop frequency reduced: The emergency stop manoeuvre will be carried out in one in seven tests, rather than one in three. This change reflects the widespread use of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), which have been mandatory on new cars since 2004.

• Extended sat nav use: Greater flexibility is being introduced to extend the independent driving section, potentially using a sat nav for the full test duration, up from the current 20 minutes.

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Participating centres include:

• Avonmouth

• Bishopbriggs

• Bolton

• Cambridge

• Cardiff

• Dudley

• Halifax

• Hendon

• Hereford

• Hornchurch

• Isleworth

• Maidstone

• Middlesbrough

• Musselburgh

• Norris Green,

• Norwich (Peachman Way)

• Nottingham (Chilwell)

• Oxford

• Portsmouth

• Wakefield

  
  

Up to four examiners per centre will use revised test routes, trialling the changes in rotation with current formats.

A DVSA spokesperson said: “High speed roads, including rural roads, are some of the most dangerous for novice drivers. We need to ensure that the driving test continues to test the skills needed to drive safely and replicate conditions new drivers will face in the real world.”

The statistics reinforce the need for the changes. Nearly half (48%) of killed or seriously injured casualties involving young car drivers occur on rural roads – compared with 42% for older drivers. Young male drivers aged 17-24 are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than those aged 25 or over.

The driving test trial also follows a recent change by the Department for Transport to booking rules. Test candidates must now give at least 10 working days’ notice to amend a test booking, up from three working days previously. This adjustment is intended to ease the strain on DVSA’s record-high waiting lists.

This story was originally published by The Independent.