Independent Driving

From October 4th 2010 the UK driving test will feature a 10 minute section called 'independent driving'.

The examiner will ask you to pull up at the side of the road. He/She will then explain that they would like you to follow the signs for a particular destination, for example, “Lewisham”.

If, on the route, the signs become obscured, or are missing, then the examiner will intervene to help with the destination. If you are unsure of the destination at any stage, then you may ask.

What if I go the wrong way?

No problem. The examiner is allowed to help to get you back on course. It is still your responsibility to control the car safely, and within the rules of the highway code.

What is the point of this exercise?

The object of the exercise is not really to test your ability to read road direction signs, although this is a beneficial objective. The objective is to increase a new driver's sense of independence. Often new drivers have been ‘spoon-fed’ directions by their instructor/trainer. Consequently when the trainer is no longer around, after the test, the driver is unprepared for life on their own on the roads.

During this section of the test it will be your responsibility to:

• Identify junctions
• Time the MSM routine correctly
• Select the correct lane and route

The examiner may also assist you with the route by offering a series of very basic diagrams, like this one:

The diagram will not indicate distances between junctions, but merely directions.