Independent Driving

From the 10th October 2010 the Driving Test will have a new element added to it called Independent Driving.

This will last for approximately 10 minutes.

The Examiner will ask the candidate to stop at a safe and convenient place.

He will then give the candidate a route to follow and ask them to follow that route without any further instructions from him.

The route can be given in different formats as follows:

1. An instruction to follow road signs and road markings to a destination .

2. A series of directions, maximum of 3.

3. Showing a diagram of the route, maximum of 3 junctions.

A combination of formats may used and to make the element last for about 10 minutes several routes may be given

Each time a route is given the examiner will brief the candidate whilst the car is stationary. Sometimes a simple instruction may be given on the move such as following road signs.

Candidates will not be penalised for going off route or forgetting instructions and will be expected to ask for repeats or clarification if needed during the route.

Examples are as follows:

1. "Follow the signs to Stamford"
2. "At the end of the road turn right, ...take the next road on the left ...and then turn left at the roundabout	Verbal instruction
3. As 2 above but with a "schematic"