Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in the UK from 4th October 2010.

Contact Simply Learners Driving School Preston for more advice on Independent Driving Lessons Preston on 01772 792 590

The Practical Driving Test, at the moment, lasts for about 40 minutes currently there are no plans for this to be increased. The number of reversing manoeuvres required during the driving test will be cut from two to one. So the amount of Driving Lessons Preston you will need may not increase.

The emergency stop will be expected on one in three tests as it is now. From April 2010 The Driving Examiner will ask you if you want your Simply Learners Driving School Preston Driving School in Preston Instructor to be present on the test at the beginning. Originally it was planned for it to be made compulsory for the Instructor to sit on test; however that has now been scrapped.

Independent Driving is tasking you to drive either following a series of directions or traffic signs. It will last approximately about 10 minutes; this will include the necessary brief(s).

The Independent driving can be either all directions or all signs or a mixture of both. In all of these cases the Driving Examiner will begin by pulling the you over on a set section of road and informing you they are about to begin the Independent driving. The Independent driving always has to start stationary but they can end it on the move.

'Follow the directions' is the most complicated of the two. The route will be split into 2 or 3 sections consisting of 3 or 4 junctions, or maybe a couple more if it isn't too demanding. Each section will have its own "schematic" which will be a basic map so you can visualise the route. The Driving Examiner will have to pull you over at the end of one section before giving you a new schematic and giving the next brief.

Click Here To See An Example Of What The Schematic Looks Like.

‘Follow the signs’ is more straightforward. The Driving Examiner will simply ask you to follow a certain sign and they are able to change the sign you are required to follow on the move.

If the Driving Examiner is required to mix some signs in with the directions (for whatever reason) then the sign directions can be given on the move but the direction directions have to be given when stationary again.

As far as the marking is concerned, the Driving Examiners cannot fault you for not following the route as long as you go wrong safely. They would then be expected to manage you to ensure they don’t go too far off route.