New Proposals for Driving Tests

[Conniff]

New proposals to improve the driving test including incentives to be better prepared form part of a consultation launched by government today.

 

Driving test

 

•biggest shake up of the driving test in a generation

•proposals for a ‘cashback’ incentive for the driving test, introducing in a deposit which is returned to the driver if they pass, encouraging learner drivers to take their test when they are ready

•government wants to hear your views on how to improve the service offered by DVSA and DVLA

 

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched proposals to improve the driving test as part of a wide ranging review of motoring services in Great Britain.

 

Only 21% of driving tests result in a first time pass. The majority of tests are repeat examinations.

 

Reduced driving test fee

 

Under the new proposals the driving test fee would be reduced by requiring learner drivers to pay a deposit when they take their test, which they get back if they pass.

 

This will help make sure learner drivers are:

•better prepared for taking their test and driving independently

•less likely to have an accident in the months following the test

•taking their test when they are ready and confident of passing

 

An incentive to be prepared

 

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

 

“We want to make learning to drive safer and more affordable. This change will give those who pass first time some money back and provide an incentive for learners to be more prepared before they take their test. These common sense proposals mean that all learner drivers can feel the benefit.

 

“This consultation is a really important step and we want to hear all views.”

 

Steve Gooding director of the RAC Foundation said:

 

“We support measures that will encourage learner drivers to get the experience they need to pass their test first time with flying colours, rather than barely scraping through or failing and having to repeat the process a few months down the road at yet more expense.”

 

Improving road safety and increasing efficiency

 

The consultation also sets out proposals to:

•introduce more driving test appointment times, including weekends and evenings

•offer tests from a range of venues

•review fees for all services provided by motoring agencies

•change providers for some services

•combine services at motoring agencies

 

The consultation is part of the government’s ongoing work to streamline public services and save the taxpayer money.

 

 

Email:

 

motoringservicesstrategy@dft.gsi.gov.uk

 

Write to:

 

Edward Bunting

Motoring Services Agency Sponsorship

Department for Transport

Zone 2/29

Great Minster House

Horseferry Road

London

SW1P 4DR

Edited November 15, 2015 by Conniff

[Sidewinder]

Would love to have seen compulsory sections for driving at night, driving at speed etc

 

I recently had a driving assessment for work and the emphasis seemed to be on things like indicating less (as in 'who' are you indicating to when it should be obvious to other road users what your intentions are - eg when in a left hand filter lane at a roundabout or when there is nothing behind which is close enough to need to know why you are signalling). Also, driving more towards the centre line rather than the kerb so that you can see around anything in front of you and using brakes rather than gears to slow down.

[Conniff]

You can always drop them an email and make your points known. I'm also with you on the brakes v gears thing. It's a lot cheaper to replace brakes than it is a clutch.

Although you can do that with the driving school car as that's not yours

[caro]

Would love to have seen compulsory sections for driving at night, driving at speed etc

 

I recently had a driving assessment for work and the emphasis seemed to be on things like indicating less (as in 'who' are you indicating to when it should be obvious to other road users what your intentions are - eg when in a left hand filter lane at a roundabout or when there is nothing behind which is close enough to need to know why you are signalling). Also, driving more towards the centre line rather than the kerb so that you can see around anything in front of you and using brakes rather than gears to slow down.

 

But what harm does it do to signal unnecessarily? Better that than not signalling when there is a need and leaving other road users to second guess.

[Conniff]

I think most press the stalk more out of habit than thinking do I need to indicate.

[silverfox1961]

I indicate all the time, whether anyone is there to see me or not. My reasoning. If I fail to indicate when I don't need to, will I fail to indicate when I do need to.

 

The amount of times I wait at roundabouts not knowing what the muppet not indicating intends to do annoys me greatly

[honeybee13]

Me too, SF. Or at crossroads when I could turn right into the road ahead, but people indicate at the last minute that they're turning into the road I'm coming out of so I'm stuck there. If they indicated early, I could pull out in front of them without blocking them or doing anything dangerous.

 

HB