Increase in Theory Test Questions.

The Theory Test Questions are increasing for the Car and Motorcycle theory test from 3rd September 2007. The questions, currently 35 will increase to 50. The pass mark will be 43 and the time allowed to complete the test is 57 minutes. For the Large Vehicle Theory Tests (LGV and PCV) there are 2 lots of increases. The first one will take place on 2nd April 2007 to 60 questions. Pass mark will be 51 and will cost £32 and the time allowed to complete the test is 70 minutes. More on the Theory Test

BOOK BOTH THE THEORY AND PRACTICAL TESTS ON-LINE

You can book both the Theory Test and Practical Test on-line. No more keying all those numbers on the phone only to get "I'm sorry nobody is available to take your call at the moment.... Please try later!" The booking service enables you to book the tests online - in a secure environment. Ways to book the Theory Test Ways to book the Practical Test

HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST PASS MARK INCREASE

From 1st September 2003. The pass mark for the HPT for learner car drivers and motorcyclists is now 44 out of 75 The pass mark for learner lorry and bus drivers is 50 out of 75 and for trainee driving instructors it is 57 out of 75. Why the increase? Well, the DSA think the new test is too easy! In the first six weeks of the new test, figures reveal that the candidates are already achieving an 80 per cent pass rate in the hazard perception element of the driving test. Whilst candidates are preparing well for the hazard perception test, the pass rate of learner car drivers for the multiple-choice section of the test has dropped from 65% to 58%. The DSA believes this section of the exam may have suffered as a result of candidates concentrating on the new section. The overall result is that the pass rate has dropped from 65% to 50%. With the introduction of a higher pass mark for the HPT the pass rate is likely to fail even more. This will result in more people having to find more money to take retests. Visit our FAQ on the Hazard Test

NEW CHANGES IN THE PRACTICAL TEST - SEPTEMBER 2003

From 1st September 2003, random technical questions will be asked by examiners to all candidates whatever the category of test they are taking. This is in line with the 2nd European Directive. A candidate will have to either SHOW or EXPLAIN how to do simple maintenance tasks. At the start of the practical test the Examiner will ask the pupil a 'Tell Me' question, for example "Tell me how you would change a tyre". This would be followed by a show me question, for example "Show me where to check the oil level". A candidate will not FAIL a Driving Test for a wrong answer however they will get ONE Driving Fault if they are wrong. This test will be included inside the existing time limit for the practical test which means less time spend out on the road. At present a question bank has not been developed, however the DSA intend to notify the industry of the intentions in the Autumn of this year and a further reminder in Spring 2003. Plans to introduce basic first aid to the driving test are also under consideration, following a recommendation from the British Red Cross. Drivers could have to show a knowledge of first aid and danger awareness. Visit our General Maintenance page Visit our First Aid page

TEST CLAMPDOWN IS IN THE PIPELINE

Novice drivers could be banned from motorways and restricted to small-engined cars under Government plans to reduce road fatalities. These are two of the ideas being mooted to cut deaths among newly qualified motorists. Others include making learners get a 'certificate of readiness' ( having to take 40 hours of lessons with a ADI) prior to taking their test to prove they have experience of driving at night, on fast roads and in the wet. After passing, novices may be forced to display green "P" plates for six months during which they would be banned from motorways and from driving minibuses or fast cars. At present there are no restrictions on the types of car or road a novice can use. "A teenager can pass his test in the morning and take a Ferrari packed with passengers on to a motorway in the afternoon; that must change," said a Whitehall official. Some other countries already place restrictions on novices. In Northern Ireland they must display an R-plate - for restricted - and drive no faster than 45mph for the first year after passing. In some Australian states, a P - for provisional - plate must be displayed for a year. Britain has a voluntary P-plate system but ministers are willing to make it compulsory. The Government has rejected proposals to allow learners to practise on motorways with a qualified instructor, believing this would lead to pile-ups. More

CORSA RECALL EFFECTS THE PRACTICAL TESTS ( FEB 2001)

Vauxhall Motors are recalling over 500,000 vehicles for urgent safety inspections. The recall includes the Corsa type B (the 1993 - 2000 model Corsa), Corsa van, Combo and Tigra. The new shaped Corsa is not part of this recall. Vehicles affected have the following build dates: 1993 - 1999 inclusive (586,538 vehicles affected). The driver and front passenger adjuster seat rails may fracture and cause seats to become insecure. 1999 - 2000 inclusive (116,176 vehicles affected). The driver and front passenger seat belt locking mechanism may separate when loaded in a frontal impact. Depending on the model variant, the seat rails on one or both of the front seats will be reinforced. In addition, a small number of vehicles will be fitted with new seat belt buckles on both front seats. Under long term extreme load conditions, both components may show signs of material fatigue and premature wear. Anyone intending to use any of these models for a driving test must have these items checked by a dealer and produce written evidence from the dealer that the seat rails and/or seat belt mechanisms have been checked, and any necessary work has been completed. With immediate effect vehicles falling into these categories will not be taken on test unless the driver/ADI can produce written confirmation from a Vauxhall Dealership that the vehicle has been inspected and all remedial work carried out. To avoid disappointment on your test day, ( and for your own safety ) please have your Corsa checked by your Vauxhall Dealership.

MOTORING CURFEWS FOR THE UNDER 25s

Young motorists are facing the prospect of motoring curfews in a radical step to cut the number of under 25s involved in late night smashes. Under the scheme being considered, young motorists would not be allowed to use their car between 10pm and 6am. Statistics from the DETR show 42 per cent of fatal accidents occur late at night while 30 per cent of all crashes involve drivers aged between 17 to 25. By complying with the ruling drivers would be entitled to substantial discounts from insurance companies for taking themselves off the high-risk list by promising not to drive late at night. News of the possible introduction of a curfew comes after a spate of high profile accidents involving youngsters killed in high performance motors.

LEARNER RIDER TRAINING AND TESTING RULES

Learner Rider Training and Testing Rules to change on 1st FEBRUARY 2001. The principal changes are: Scrapping the rule that prevents a rider renewing a provisional motorcycle licence for a year if a test has not been passed within 2 years. Replace with a 2 year validity period for basic training completion certificates require newly qualified car drivers to complete a basic rider training course before riding a moped require all learner motorcyclists and car drivers to take a theory test. The Driving Standards Agency has written to motorcycling and safety interests about the details. The Agency has also sought views on: Improving pre-test training arrangements for motorcyclists - supported by a logbook Improving safety for full motorcycle licence-holders Improving standards of motorcycle instructors Introducing an independent appeals system for training bodies and instructors Adjusting the minimum distance for the eyesight check in element A of the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course where a number plate with the narrower font is used. Staging the motorcycle theory test after a CBT course has been completed Rationalising the CBT requirements when a person takes a retest Incorporating the standard conditions of appointment for Approved Training Bodies (ATBs) within the CBT regulations. Becoming a biker

PASSPLUS REACHES 100,000 NEW DRIVERS

One in eleven newly qualified drivers now take Pass Plus.More newly qualified drivers completed Pass Plus last month bringing the total number participating in the scheme to over 100,000 since its launch. Pass Plus is a scheme backed by the Government's Driving Standards Agency and insurers to encourage newly qualified drivers to become better drivers. Pass Plus gives extra experience and positive driving skills that would otherwise take a long time to acquire. Pass Plus consists of an additional course of six specially designed training sessions to follow on from a successful practical driving test. Check-out more about Pass Plus

NO Age Limit increase NO Motorway driving on the Driving Test

I have received many questions from worried teenagers regarding rumours of the minimum driving age increasing to 18. There are currently no such plans - so stop worrying! If I hear of any facts on this subject I will let you know right away. If after consultation the government decided to go ahead there would almost certainly have to be new legislation. Notice of a Bill would then perhaps be given in the Queens speech at the state opening of parliament around November 2001. The Bill would the have to pass through both houses of parliament (assuming the Lords are still there in 2002). Passage of a Bill requiring novice drivers to have held a provisional licence for one year before taking a test would be unlikely to receive an easy passage. A new rumour appears to be developing that motorway driving and night driving is to be incorporated into the driving test. This would be impractical. Learners will never be allowed on a motorway until they pass the practical driving test. If night driving were included in the test, it would require the tests to be conducted after 11pm in the long summer days. When you pass your test and if you are anxious about motorway or night driving, please have a few extra lessons with your driving Instructor, or better still, have a go at the Pass Plus course.

'LEARN TO LIVE' CAMPAIGN

This campaign does not advocate allowing "Learner" drivers on motorways. 'Learn To Live' campaign will continue until all newly qualified drivers are required, by law, to undergo some form of motorway tuition. The parliamentary select committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs has released it's Nineteenth Report into "YOUNG AND NEWLY-QUALIFIED DRIVERS: STANDARDS AND TRAINING". Supporters of the 'Learn To Live' campaign, and of motorway safety in general, will be disappointed to learn that the committee rejected calls to make any form of post-test training compulsory. They did however recommend that post-test training schemes be more vigourously promoted. More at: 'Learn to Live' Website

THE DRIVING TEST MARKING SYSTEM TO GET EVEN TOUGHER

A major change, heavily publicised in recent months, was the 15 driver errors on the practical driving test would result in a fail. Research suggests that this change in the marking system, brought in on 4th MAY 1999, will lead to an extra 10,000 failures a year. Proposals to drop the 15 threshold to 12 could add 40,000 failures. The Government is looking at the research which has shown that candidates who commit minor errors on test are more likely to have accidents once they have passed. The date for reducing the fail mark from 15 to 12 has yet to be announced. Watch this space...

BIGGEST SHAKE-UP OF THE L-TEST started ON 4TH MAY

The Revised driving test was introduced on 4th May 1999. The reform constitutes the widest revision of the L-test since it started in 1935. Changes include:- More flexible arrangements for reversing manoeuvres. 'Emergency Stop' exercise will now only be required on 33 per cent of all car tests. An extra 10-12 minutes of driving time will be added to the test, so drivers can be tested on routes including higher non-urban roads at speeds above 40 mph. You can fail for having more than 15 minor faults. Vehicles for the test must have a seat belt and head restaint and a rear-view mirror for use by the examiner. New test times will held at 8.40, 9.37, 10.44, 11.41, 13.33, 14.30 and 15.27. A voluntary driver's logbook will be introduced.(free initially!)

HUNDREDS OF NEW DRIVERS GO BACK TO L-PLATES

Hundreds of newly qualified drivers have been restored to learner driver status - for running up six penalty points within the first two years of passing their test. The penalty came into effect in June 1997. Shocked drivers are discovering that not only is their full licence confiscated but they face hefty bills to get back on the road. The New Drivers Act introduced 01 June 1997 - in only three years, 23,365 new drivers have had their driving licence revoked. They have to pay £17 to return to a provisional licence, an increased fee of £47.75 for a practical test, £15.00 for a theory test and an increased fee of £11 for a full licence if they pass. Insurance premiums go up, too. The new law was brought out to cut down on the accidents that new drivers appear to have. Government figures show that a new driver is seven times more likely to be involved in an accident than a middle-aged person who has been driving for years. Break the Law out on the road - and this is how you could be hammered in the courts: -

OVER 250,000 PEOPLE MAY HAVE TO RESIT THE THEORY TEST

The Driving Standards Agency reports that over 250,000 learner drivers who have passed the theory test have yet to take the practical test. The new written theory test for learner drivers started on 1st July 1996, the practical test must be passed within two years of the theory test pass, or you will have to start again. The DSA is writing to all theory test pass candidates to remind them of the 2 year rule. The Theory Test FAQ