Independent driving introduced into tests next Monday  Independent driving will be introduced into the British driving test next Monday (4 October). Candidates in all main categories of test will be asked to spend around 10 minutes demonstrating their ability to drive safely without step-by-step directions from an examiner. Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "The independent driving assessment gives test candidates the chance to show they have the necessary skills to cope with the sort of traffic conditions they will face every day. "Learning those skills from the very start of the driving process will help make new drivers safer."   At the moment the examiner gives directions throughout the test. But during the independent drive, the candidate will have to follow traffic signs or a short series of verbal directions, or a combination of both. To help candidates understand where they are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show a diagram. Candidates can also ask for a reminder as they drive. DSA's Chief Driving Examiner Trevor Wedge said: "The aim of independent driving is to assess the candidate's ability to drive safely whilst making decisions independently. It's not a test of navigation and candidates won't be failed for going off route. "The test is being improved to help produce safer drivers, but that doesn't mean it's getting any harder. We know many instructors are already teaching independent driving." In addition, practical car test candidates will only have to complete one of the three reversing manoeuvres, instead of two at present. Other categories of test remain unchanged. The price and duration of tests also stay the same.

Below is an extract from the DSA`s Press release - click hereto see the full release New safety requirements for motorcyclists and lorry and bus drivers Measures to improve skills and safety for new motorcycle riders, drivers of lorries and buses and new drivers who want to tow medium sized trailers were confirmed today by the Department for Transport (DfT) in conjunction with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The new measures will ensure that Great Britain meets new European requirements on driver testing, training, examination and licensing which come into force in 2013. Other motorists will not be affected. The main aspects of the new requirements are: Motorcyclists - The current two categories of motorbike will be replaced with three - A1 (up to 125cc), A2 (up to 35Kw) and A (above 35Kw) - and new rules introduced for riders of larger bikes. Riders wanting to progress to larger categories of motorbikes will have to take a further test and there will be a rise in the minimum age from 21 to 24 for those wishing to start riding larger bikes without previous experience. However, riders moving from smaller to larger motorcycles will not need to do a familiarisation course as originally proposed in the consultation. Instead, as suggested by the Motorcycle Industry Association, riders who have had a full license for smaller bike for two years or more will need to be accompanied by an Authorised Trainer while on public roads until they have passed their test. New safety requirements for motorcyclists and lorry and bus drivers

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Changes to the module one motorcycle test The government is working with the motorcycle industry to review the delivery and content of the motorcycle test. This working group includes DSA, DfT, the motorcycle training industry and motorcycle user groups. This work (along with DSA's ongoing monitoring and review process of all tests) has identified a number of minor changes that can be quickly introduced before the main review is finished.  The DSA intends to introduce the minor changes to module one with effect from Monday16 May 2011. Change to the sequence of the manoeuvres (see revised order below) So that all the slow speed elements will be carried out before the higher speed exercises. This will allow candidates to demonstrate the necessary competence in motorcycle control before moving onto the more demanding manoeuvres. Revised sequence of set exercises for module one of motorcycle test 1   -   manual handling 2   -   slow control steering (slalom and figure of eight) 3   -   slow ride: this will be observed as the candidate rides to the next exercise 4   -   U-turn 5   -   circuit bend and controlled stop carried out between 30 km/h and 50 km/h (about 20 mph to 30 mph) followed by a controlled stop in the area marked by the four blue cones; speed not measured 6   -   cornering and emergency stop; speed measured 7   -   cornering, avoidance exercise and controlled stop; speed measured To see further details of the DSA`s proposed changes click here.

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Motorcycle test YouTube playlist updated DSA’s motorcycle test playlist on YouTube has been updated. It now includes a recently published video showing the module one test.   To view the video playlist click here