Learner drivers to face changes to Driving and Theory tests

The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) plan to implement changes to the driving and theory tests over the coming months.

These are as a result of the Learning to Drive consultation carried out by the Department of Environment in 2008 on the way people learn to drive and the way they are tested.

Environment Minister, Edwin Poots said: “The modifications to the learning to drive and testing process form the basis of a programme of measures that place a new emphasis on the attitudes, and behaviours, of candidates towards the driving process.

“These new processes should encourage a culture of lifelong learning amongst future candidates, and will contribute to a reduction in road deaths and injuries, particularly amongst newly-qualified drivers.”

The changes to be phased in will include:

• Updating the theory test so that it does more to test understanding of safe driving. The existing multiple choice format will be strengthened by adding more detailed case studies, which probe a candidate’s understanding and knowledge more thoroughly. This will be introduced on 19 July 2010; to facilitate this change and ensure no increase in the test fee, the number of multiple choice questions will be reduced by five to 45 and substituted with one case study, incorporating five questions based on the current questions.
• Encouraging the person presenting the candidate to sit in the car with their student when the candidate takes the practical test and to stay as the examiner gives their pupil feedback. If the candidate has not passed, the accompanying driver would be better placed to provide remedial and focused training, targeting the specific weaknesses they showed.
• Incorporating into the practical driving test a section of independent driving, where the candidate has to take responsibility for route finding, for example, by following signs, or driving to a local landmark. It is proposed to introduce this during 2011;
• Reducing the number of mandatory manoeuvres in the practical car driving test from two to one. This will free up time during the test to facilitate the introduction of independent driving. As a result, there will be no increase in the length of the driving test and no reduction in the number of driving tests which can be provided, thereby avoiding an increase to the fee for the driving test as a result of this change. Candidates will not know in advance of the test which of the manoeuvres they will be asked to undertake, so will still need to learn and practice all manoeuvres.

Notes to editors:

1. The public consultation document entitled ‘Learning to Drive’ which includes the proposals listed, was issued by DOE in May 2008.
2. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.