News

Here you'll find regular updates about us and our services, and any changes affecting your Theory or Practical test requirements.

DSA To Stop Publishing Questions used in the Theory Tests

• Candidates need to understand theory
• End to memorising answers
• Unpublished questions used from 1 January 2012

The Driving Standards Agency is to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers used in theory tests, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today.

This will help to ensure that new drivers learn the principles behind driving theory rather than just learning answers.

The move follows the introduction of independent driving into the driving test and the DSA's decision to stop publishing test routes in October 2010, to make sure the test assesses a learner's ability to drive and not their capacity to memorise routes. 

Mike Penning said:

“The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

“No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers. 

“I believe that this - along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime - will lead to better drivers and safer roads.”

In September 2011 DSA will change the format of books and other learning materials available to help people prepare for theory tests. This will take place at the same time as more challenging case studies are introduced to car and motorcycle theory tests.

Then, from 1 January 2012, DSA will create theory tests using questions which will not be published.

Practice questions and answers, not used in theory tests, will still be available to help candidates with revision.

Other companies which publish products containing DSA theory test questions will also no longer have access to the questions used in the tests. 

DSA launches Facebook page for learner drivers

• Page for learner drivers
• Safe driving advice and tips
• Visit facebook.com/mydrivingtest

Facebook users can now get safe driving advice and keep up to date with changes to the driving test.

The Driving Standards Agency has launched a page called 'I can't wait to pass my driving test' and wants learners to become fans.

As well as getting advice and tips about learning to drive, fans of the page will be able to find links to:

• detailed information about getting a driving licence, learning to drive, and the theory and practical driving tests
• book their theory and practical tests using the only official booking service
• read the Highway Code online
• buy official DSA publications to help them prepare to pass their test

To become a fan of the page visit facebook.com/mydrivingtest.  

Electronic parking brakes suitable for tests

• Vehicles with electronic parking brakes can be used for tests
• Change from 1 November 2010
• DSA responds to advances in vehicle technology

From 1 November vehicles fitted with an electronic parking brake will be allowed to be used for practical driving tests.

There are usually two ways of releasing an electronic parking brake:

• using the footbrake while releasing the parking brake, then coordinating the accelerator and clutch to move away
• coordinating the accelerator and clutch - when the electronics sense the clutch is at biting point the parking brake releases automatically

The parking brake will not usually release automatically if:

• the accelerator is not used
• the controls are not coordinated correctly

If there is no loss of control either method is acceptable.

If the examiner needs to take action to stop the vehicle, and it’s not fitted with dual controls, they will apply and hold the electronic parking brake - this will bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.

Advances in technology

To begin with, electronic parking brakes were fitted only to top of the range vehicles. DSA decided not to allow manual vehicles fitted with them to be used for driving tests.

Electronic parking brakes are now being fitted to an increasing number of vehicles, so it’s unrealistic to continue this policy. 

ALERT !!!!

Recently I have had pupils come to me saying that they had paid £51 for the Theory Test, I have researched further to discover that they hadn't gone through the official DSA website, but they did assume they had,

Theory Tests cost £31, Practical Tests £62, DO NOT PAY MORE! There is a website out there charging everyone £20 extra for booking each test. One of my latest pupils to book through this website, picked his date and time, by the time he got the confirmation through the time had been changed 3 times. If you book on the official DSA website as below, the time and date you select will be held for 15 minutes so you can finish the booking, pay and print off the final details.

Don't search google, as you will get this site or perhaps another similar, ONLY USE www.direct.gov.uk go to motoring then click learner drivers, there you will find links to book either your Theory or Practical test at the proper price, or ask your Driving Instructor to do it for you.

Independent driving: change to practical driving test

Independent driving explained

From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include a section of ‘independent driving’.

During your test you’ll have to drive by either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both, for about ten minutes.

To help you understand where you’re going, the examiner may show you a diagram.

It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

The independent driving route

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.

If you go off the independent driving route it won’t affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault.
If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.

If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won’t need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

You can’t use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn-by-turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

Newspaper reports

Some newspapers have claimed that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate. This claim is based on early research where conditions did not reflect the eventual design of the new element of the test.

Subsequent trials with a larger number of participants and more closely reflecting the conditions in the planned new test showed no significant fall in the pass rate.

Video shows independent driving

The Driving Standards Agency has published a short video on its YouTube channel explaining more about independent driving, please press the link above.

TEST FEES from 30th March 2009

Theory Tests

• Car & Motorcycle/moped            £31.00

Practical Tests

• Motorcycle/moped

          Module 1                                    £10.00

          Module 2                                    £70.00

• Motorcycle/moped - Extended

          Module 1                                    £10.00

          Module 2                                    £140.00

• Car   -   Weekdays                     £62.00
• Car   -   Saturday/Sunday          £75.00                                  Summer weekday evenings
• Car   -   Extended  Weekdays   £124.00

                       Saturday/Sunday         £150.00

          Summer weekday evenings

• Car & Trailer - Weekdays          £115.00