FROM today, the DVSA is making changes to the driving test in Great Britain.
The agency is rolling out four subtle tweaks to the practical exam, with perhaps the biggest shift being more time spent on higher‑speed roads – typically faster rural and A‑roads – where it’s safe and suitable.
Their aim is to reflect the kinds of roads new drivers are likely to use after passing and to make the test better mirror real‑world conditions.
And while the core skills required to pass and the overall test length are not changing, typical routines of the test will be adjusted – with routine stops being reduced from four to three per test and the emergency stop to be set less often – from roughly one in three tests to about one in seven.
Furthermore, examiners will be able to extend the so-called “independent driving” section – which is where candidates follow a sat‑nav or traffic signs – from around 20 minutes to most or even the full duration of the route.
Combined, these revisions will shift the balance of the assessment towards a more continuous, realistic driving experience on varied faster routes – with less time spent low‑speed stopping opportunities.
On these new measures, a government blog post said: “These changes were designed to improve the overall flow of the test and better reflect real‑world driving conditions.
“By putting them into place and allowing for more meaningful route planning, examiners have been able to observe learner drivers in a more natural and realistic driving environment.
“Making the above adjustments has helped create test routes that venture into more high‑speed and high‑risk areas – where location allows and has given learners the opportunity to face a broader range of driving scenarios.
“The extension of independent driving has also given learners more time to demonstrate their ability to follow directions independently, just like they would after passing their test.
“As well as this, by reducing the number of stops and emergency stop exercises, the test feels more like a genuine drive, helping learners stay focused and relaxed during what we know can, understandably, be a nerve‑wracking experience.”
And Amanda Lane, the DVSA’s head of driver testing and driver training policy, added: “High‑speed roads, particularly those in rural areas, are among the most treacherous for novice drivers.
“To keep all road users safe, it’s crucial that the practical driving test assesses learners on the skills required to drive in the real world.”
The change follows a five‑month trial across 20 test centres that began on May 6, which the agency says delivered practical benefits.
The DVSA describes the reforms as “subtle but meaningful”, aimed at preparing learners for a lifetime of safe driving by giving them more exposure to the environments where serious collisions are disproportionately likely.
This comes as one in six drivers reckon they’d fail their driving test if they had to take it again today – blaming bad habits, nerves or even their eyesight.
A study of 2,000 motorists found 32 per cent of those who don’t think they’d pass fear they’d be marked down for their inability to parallel park.
While three in 10 admit they’re now baffled by new road signs and driving laws.
But it’s not just rusty skills holding them back – a lack of knowledge around vision requirements could also be to blame.
Only one in five describe their understanding of the UK’s eyesight rules for drivers as ‘excellent’.
And 12 per cent admit they avoid certain driving conditions or scenarios altogether because of concerns about their sight.
