Freeway School of Motoring | Independent Driving | Driving Test

Introduced in October 2010, practical driving tests now incorporate a ten minute element of independent driving.

During this ten minute section, the examiner asks the candidate to stop their vehicle in a convenient place and then proceeds to give them instructions for this part of the test. They will be asked to follow a route by either:

observing road signs towards a particular destination point
being given 3 or 4 verbal directions
being shown a basic diagram of a route they need to follow with 3 or 4 directions to take

If they have been asked to follow road signs, at some point the examiner may ask the candidate to alter their route by following road signs towards a second location. For example:

“Please follow the road signs for the A123 in the direction of ABC......now follow the A789 towards XYZ”

The examiner will help with the route if for some reason signs are obscured, for example by a parked vehicle. If the candidate goes off route or takes a wrong turn, the examiner will help them get back on route and continue with the independent driving.

If the candidate has been given verbal directions or the diagram, once this route has been completed they may be asked to pull over when convenient and a second route may be given.

It is important to understand that the examiner will not fail a candidate for taking an incorrect turn, or missing a sign provided that they do not commit a driving fault in the process. They are being tested on their ability to drive independently, not on their navigational skills and even the most experienced drivers sometimes get lost.

The DSA has produced a series of videos on youtube regarding this part of the test, you can view them by clicking on the following video links:

Independent Driving