What is independent driving?

In October 2010, the learners’ driving test included independent driving. The purpose of incorporating independent driving into the learners’ test is to see how a candidate handles following a set of directions for 10 minutes. The independent driving portion of the test was increased to 20 minutes in December 2017. There is now a 1 in 5 chance that the examiner will give you verbal instructions to follow road signs, and a 4 in 5 chance that you will be asked to drive independently using Sat Nav guidance.

The Sat Nav can be activated at the start or in the middle of the driving test. It’s not uncommon for the Sat Nav to direct you back to the test centre.

The most important thing to remember during this portion of the test is that you are not being graded on your ability to follow directions, but rather on your ability to drive safely. Finally, if you forget where you’re going, it’s best to ask the examiner what the next direction is as soon as possible.

This is so you can safely manoeuvre your car in the right direction without affecting or upsetting other vehicles. If you are unsure of a Sat Nav direction, you can (as a last resort) ask the examiner to clarify.

Most people who fail the independent driving portion of the test do so because they become too focused on following directions and lose sight of their lane discipline.

Another common failing point is failing to signal when changing direction on the approach to a junction. Remember that without a signal, those around you will have no idea where you’re going.

Independent Driving Following Directions – A421 to Whaddon route:

Watch the video on the right for an inside look at how we prepare you for the independent driving portion of your driving test. This video features ‘Mark Rogers,’ who is taking his first independent driving test route in Bletchley. Obviously, as he improves, the instruction becomes less frequent. This is a very popular test route in the mornings; for more information on what test route you might get at different times, ask your driver.

Independent Driving Following Diagrams – Westcroft route:

On the day of your driving test, you may encounter two types of independent driving scenarios. Watch the video on the right to see ‘Mark Rogers’ during his Milton Keynes driving lesson. He’s taking another driving test route around Milton Keynes. All of our test route videos are available; simply request your username and password from your Testbusters’s instructor. Our test route videos are only available to Testbusters’s students.

Independent Driving Following Road signs – Simpson route:

Mason Spence of MK Dons and Wales under 18 star Follow the road signs along the Simpson test route. There is some instruction in areas where Mason and his classmates frequently make mistakes. Simply ask your driver for access to all of our test route videos. For the username and password, please contact Johnson’s instructor.

Problems that may happen on the driving test with the Sat Nav

In some areas, two junctions may be found very close together. When you look at the Sat Nav, it can be difficult to tell which one you want. If you are unsure, ask the examiner. The Sat Nav should repeat the direction just before the turn.

The examiner may request that you temporarily disregard the Sat Nav. Don’t worry, there could be a glitch in the settings or something as simple as roadworks down the road the Sat Nav was supposed to take you on. Follow the examiner’s instructions whenever they appear.

Sat Nav navigation may take more than 20 minutes, and in some cases up to 30 minutes. This isn’t ideal, but it happens from time to time due to road and traffic conditions. If it is a frequent occurrence, the DSVA will usually address it. Don’t be concerned if this happens to you. Continue to follow the Sat Nav until the examiner tells you not to.

The Sat Nav’s battery may run out. In this case, the examiner should have a juice pack or battery charger with them, which they will connect to the Sat Nav. If that fails, they may give you verbal instructions.

The Sat Nav may stop working, for example, the volume may stop working. The examiner should step in and give verbal instructions.

“You have arrived at your destination,” the Sat Nav will frequently say. Unless the examiner requests it, make no changes to your driving. Continue driving normally until the examiner directs you otherwise. There have been reports of test students slowing down or attempting to pull over to the side of the road, resulting in a dangerous driving fault.

The Sat Nav may sometimes treat two mini-roundabouts as one. In some cases, the examiner may assist the pupil in safely navigating the junction and then refer the pupil back to following the Sat Nav.

If the examiner places the Sat Nav in a location that does not suit you or makes it difficult for you to see the screen, you can request that it be moved to a better location, as long as it does not interfere with your view of the road.

TIP: It is always safer to listen to the Sat Nav directions than to look at the display. If you are unsure, quickly glance at the Sat Nav and recheck the road ahead. Avoid staring at the GPS. Many students also let up on the gas when looking at the Sat Nav; this isn’t so bad if you’ve checked the mirrors first and it’s okay or necessary to let up on the gas, but many do it as a reflex. With cars following you, you could get a driving fault for progress or something else on the making sheet.

Below is a video released by the DVSA which explains what happens on the driving test including the independent driving.