Driving instructor warns of changes to UK driving tests

A driving instructor has urged learners to pay attention to several important changes taking effect from Monday (November 24) that could affect their test. Ryan Ludgate, who runs the Ludgate School of Motoring, used TikTok to highlight the modifications people need to know about.

“Last year the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) trialled this in 20 test centres across the UK and now they are going to be rolling it out to all test centres from November 24,” Ryan explained in a video. While the alterations are “subtle”, he warned all of them will impact learner drivers in the long-run. Ryan said the changes are designed to allow examiners more opportunity to watch learners driving in various situations, adding: “So if you are stopping less and not doing emergency stops, you have got more time in the test to branch out a little bit further”. 

Stops

“The first thing they are going to introduce is the reduction in the number of stops from four to three,” Ryan outlined. “This is when they ask you to pull up by the kerb and set off again in different scenarios, such as a hill start.”

Emergency stops

Similarly, emergency stops will appear less frequently in tests from Monday. At present, these feature in one in three tests, but this will fall to just one in seven. “So there’s a very good chance you won’t get an emergency stop on your test now,” Ryan said.

Independent drive

The independent driving section of the test, which currently lasts around 20 minutes and involves following road signs or sat nav directions to a destination, is being overhauled, meanwhile. “That is now changing to be a fully flexible independent drive, which could result in you guys having a sat nav set up the entire test – or potentially following road signs for the entire test,” Ryan explained. “So your full 40 minutes could be all sat nav independent.”

Ryan added the changes mean routes from each test centre may vary. “They might go out a little bit further than usual,” he noted. “They want to put you on higher speed roads and in higher risk scenarios to make sure you are very competent.”

This will also ensure tests aren’t simply “stuck in town”, where the driving experience tends to be “relatively safe”. Ryan continued: “While you may be good enough to pass your test, you could go off and drive on quicker roads, back roads and country roads, but not actually have an idea of what you are doing.”

The Government has moved to reassure all road users that such changes are in everyone’s best interests. “For learners, the test will still cover all the essential skills needed to drive safely and independently,” they advise online. “The adjustments will simply make the experience smoother and more reflective of real-world driving.

“For examiners, the changes offer more flexibility in route planning and provide a better opportunity to assess learner drivers in varied conditions. For the public, we hope the ultimate benefit is safer, more confident new drivers on the road.”

The government further states: “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. That’s why we’re rolling out the changes to all driving test centres.”