The adjustments come after months of trialling the new routes and test formats in 20 centres across the country. These changes are designed to reflect real-world driving conditions more accurately, particularly in rural areas where young drivers are often involved in serious accidents. According to the DVSA, this update is about preparing new motorists for a lifetime of safe driving. Here’s how the driving test is set to change.
More Time on Rural and High-Speed Roads
One of the most significant changes in the new driving test is the increased emphasis on rural and high-speed roads. According to the DVSA, nearly half of all fatal crashes involving drivers aged 17-24 occurred on rural roads between 2019 and 2023. In response, the revised test routes will require learners to spend more time on these types of roads.
This decision comes after a successful five-month trial earlier this year, which found that spending more time on rural roads helped learners become more accustomed to the challenges these environments present. Rural roads often have higher speeds, tighter turns, and a mix of slow-moving vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. For novice drivers, these factors can be daunting, and it’s hoped that this adjustment will better prepare them for the conditions they’ll face after passing their test.
Edmund King OBE, director of the AA Charitable Trust, noted that rural roads present a unique danger for young drivers, who are over-represented in accidents on these roads. The increased focus on rural areas aims to mitigate this risk, allowing learners to gain more experience before they are expected to drive independently.
Reduced Stops and Emergency Exercises
Another key change to the driving test involves reducing the number of stops and emergency stop exercises. In the past, learner drivers were required to make four stops during the test, including one emergency stop. Starting November 24, this will be cut down to just three stops, and the frequency of emergency stop exercises will be reduced from one in three tests to one in seven.
The DVSA believes this will lead to a more fluid and realistic driving experience, enabling learners to focus more on navigating real-world conditions. By decreasing the number of stops, examiners can now extend the independent driving portion of the test, which could last anywhere from 20 minutes to the full duration of the test.
Amanda Lane, head of driver testing and driver training policy at the DVSA, explained that fewer stops would allow for greater flexibility when planning test routes. It also means learners will experience a more natural driving environment, helping them stay focused and calm during what can often be a nerve-wracking experience.
Real-World Preparation for Safer Driving
These changes are aimed at improving road safety for all road users, but particularly young drivers, who are more likely to be involved in accidents. In fact, the latest figures from the House of Commons Library show that nearly 48% of crashes involving young drivers, where someone was killed or seriously injured, took place on rural roads.
By making the driving test more reflective of the conditions new drivers will face on the road, the DVSA hopes to reduce these statistics. As Jon Sutcliffe, COO at RED Driver Training, stated, The changes are not just about testing learners’ ability to drive safely but also about preparing them for the diverse, often unpredictable conditions they will encounter after they’ve passed their test.
