New plans to overhaul driving tests, including changing the age and using satnavs (1 Viewer)

[Mike B]

The Telegraph

New plans to overhaul the driving test are being drawn up which could see the age limit raised and part of the test using satnavs.

The Department of Transport is drawing up a consultation to help increase the pass rate which include a controversial part-privatisation of the practical examination.

It could see the closure of test centres, job losses at motor agencies and fees for services such as personalised number plates increased, according to the Independent on Sunday.

According to the paper the document states: “We will also consider how we might meet continued strong customer demand for the practical driving test, through exploring partnerships with other organisations. This might include

operating from a range of different sites, or delivering some elements of the test through partners.”

Another proposals is raising the age at which drivers must declare that they are fit to drive from 70 to 75.

• New driving test involving satnav is rolled out for trial

The paper reports the consultation will form the basis of next year’s formal strategy on the future of the country’s three motoring agencies – the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the Driver and

Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Vehicle Certification Authority (VCA).

Presently the pass rate for learner drivers is under 50 per cent and the plans could see more tests being made available on evenings and weekends.

It is presently piloting an examination that asks learners to follow satnav directions for 20 minutes.

If the trial is successful, it could be the biggest shake up of the test since the written theory exam was introduced in 1996.

The changes, proposed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, could see the three-point turn and reversing round a corner scrapped.

These will be replaced with more commonplace manoeuvres such as reversing out of a parking bay.

 

[Badknee]

Well having just sat in a classroom for five seven hour days to gain my CPC I know for a fact that every LGV driving test centre in the country has been closed and run out of private driver training premises. As for only 50% pass rate that seems very high considering the way a lot of new drivers drive. Sat navs, what about being able to hold a phone to their ears or texting, most could do with some training on that to cut the amount of fatal accidents on our roads!

 

[GAVLAD]

Next they'll be scrapping the examiner in the passenger seat and replacing them with a pre set route in the sat nav with driver habits collected and downloaded from the black box recorder!
It's a shame that government departments never look at privatising Whitehall.

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[icantremember]

It is presently piloting an examination that asks learners to follow satnav directions for 20 minutes.

Probably saves money by cutting out the examiner ... if the driver returns to base in one piece then they pass .... if they get lost and are never seen again it's a fail!

Hope they bring the 75 age qualification soon.

 

[MR. FUSION]

I do hope they do raise the test age. 17 is way to young to be responsible for a driving a car IMHO. And certainly a bike like power graduation should be a minimum too. But certainly sounds like some action is being taken. The test age should be raised to 20 IMHO and any major infringements means an automatic year or more ban. We need to move from seeing driving as a right to a privilage.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

It would make the roads far safer if you had to pass a motorcycle test before getting a car licence.
Air bags, ABS and the like make drivers feel invincible. When this is added to the modern engines that give 100hp from a 1 litre, they can drive well in excess of their ability.

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[Portland]

I agree with some of it, I do not see the point of increasing the pass rate as standards need to rise, raising the medical declaration to 75 is stupid, I believe everyone should have a medical at 70(at their own expense) to stop people being economical with their ailments and compulsory reassessments at 75. And before you ask I'm 73 and have just passed my Medical.

 

[philw111]

It is presently piloting an examination that asks learners to follow satnav directions for 20 minutes.

Does this mean that they will make satnav compulsory? Otherwise what is the point of making someone pass a test on something that they can choose never to use or even have on their vehicle?

 

[Johnnyb]

Another proposals is raising the age at which drivers must declare that they are fit to drive from 70 to 75.

Bad move. The age should be lowered to 60 with a compulsory re test every year.

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

Bad move. The age should be lowered to 60 with a compulsory re test every year.

Why?
We cannot train new drivers properly as it is, so how will this improve things?

 

[Ivory55]

If they lower the age to get older drivers off the road a lot of hgv drivers will be getting early retirement instead of having to work till 67 as it is for a lot now. Also it does seem funny that one minute they deemed fit to drive 44 tons then the next minute not fit to drive at all. If the retirement age is being raised so must everything else.

 

[Speve]

Bad move. The age should be lowered to 60 with a compulsory re test every year.

Caught one then!

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[Landy lover]

Bad move. The age should be lowered to 60 with a compulsory re test every year.

Great - where are they going to magic all these examiners from - they cannot cope with the demand at present

 

[Portland]

If they lower the age to get older drivers off the road a lot of hgv drivers will be getting early retirement instead of having to work till 67 as it is for a lot now. Also it does seem funny that one minute they deemed fit to drive 44 tons then the next minute not fit to drive at all. If the retirement age is being raised so must everything else.

HGV Drivers should be able to drive as long as they want as everyone else but no one should drive if their medical condition is such they are a danger on the road no matter what age they are. The reassessment driving tests would be at their own expense no exceptions and separate to the other driving tests

 

[Ivory55]

They should stop me now , I need the rest. Haha

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[Highwayman1]

Talking of learning and re-testing whatever the outcome, IMHO it should encompass a simulator beforehand as an indicator of a level of competence.
Despite having a full motorcycle licence, quite rightly I had to do time in a simulator before the RAF let me loose onto the nursery area in a car, (Moggy 1000 Traveller), in 1974. I also had to suffer on a skidpan to learn about both lack of , and regaining control of a vehicle. It was quite a good experience in the `sim` and on the `pan` although I did feel queasy when I was a passenger in the back. I know also that my experience in riding my motorbike helped with awareness of surroundings.
Driving in Lincolnshire nowadays isn`t for the faint hearted or those who are unaware of their surroundings given increasing casualties this year.

 

[tonyidle]

I do hope they do raise the test age. 17 is way to young to be responsible for a driving a car IMHO. And certainly a bike like power graduation should be a minimum too. But certainly sounds like some action is being taken. The test age should be raised to 20 IMHO and any major infringements means an automatic year or more ban. We need to move from seeing driving as a right to a privilage.

That would prevent most under 20s from working.

 

[MR. FUSION]

That would prevent most under 20s from working.

No they would learn to use public transport and not mommy's and daddys car and bank account.

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[Puddleduck]

The test age should be raised to 20 IMHO and any major infringements means an automatic year or more ban. We need to move from seeing driving as a right to a privilage.

It would make life for young people in isolated rural areas even more difficult. A scooter isn't the answer with our hills /narrow roads etc. Daughter had a scooter and was swiped off it by a cattle truck - which didn't stop.

I agree with the infringement = ban though.

 

[Puddleduck]

No they would learn to use public transport and not mommy's and daddys car and bank account.

What public transport? Not even school transport here once you are over 16. 4 miles to nearest bus route (bus doesn't go within 12 miles of the school). 8 mile walk to school along narrow but busy "B" road with no footpath.

 

[MR. FUSION]

What public transport? Not even school transport here once you are over 16. 4 miles to nearest bus route (bus doesn't go within 12 miles of the school). 8 mile walk to school along narrow but busy "B" road with no footpath.

Well in that case the adjustments would have to be made, and rural living would either be complex or unworkable. As it is I hope the government has the balls to put the age up to 18. Unfortunately far to many 17 year old kids have regularly killed and maimed other road users and their peers right is hopefully being withdrawn as a consequence of that.

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

I think rather than increasing the age to 20 before you can sit Your test, I think it would be better to insist on new drivers having a black box device. This would monitor your driving. If your Totally rubbish , your barred.
If your drivings not up to scratch , up the insurance.
If your good and safe, your insurance is lowered.
It's wrong to tar all young drivers with the same stick. Just like it is old age pensioners.
In fact I think they should have The black boxes for old people too. That way , driving teqnique is monitored Saving Having medicals.

 

[Puddleduck]

Well in that case the adjustments would have to be made, and rural living would either be complex or unworkable.

There will not be public transport put on - the cost is far too high. The local FE college used to have a bus that picked up from places without public transport but had to scrap it due to cost.

Most people who live as far out as we do are working in rural industries including farming and forestry. Both vital industries so what is the solution? Farmers, farm and forestry workers all to be over 20 or not to have families?

 

[glenn2926]

Perhaps airbags and the like do give a false sense of security. Maybe airbags should be replaced with a six inch steel spike aimed at the driver. It would certainly focus the drivers mind on not crashing. For those of the hard of thinking, this is a joke.

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[MR. FUSION]

There will not be public transport put on - the cost is far too high. The local FE college used to have a bus that picked up from places without public transport but had to scrap it due to cost.

Most people who live as far out as we do are working in rural industries including farming and forestry. Both vital industries so what is the solution? Farmers, farm and forestry workers all to be over 20 or not to have families?

There are people who cant drive due to medical conditions and they have make do and make other arrangements. So hopefully soon will 17/18 year olds. As I said consistent accidents and injuries and deaths and general abuse of the privilage of driving caused by the 17-20 year old age group has meant even the government has had to make (or mute) this unpopular move raising the age to 18 with curfews etc.

 

[Puddleduck]

There are people who cant drive due to medical conditions and they have make do and make other arrangements. So hopefully soon will 17/18 year olds. As I said consistent accidents and injuries and deaths caused by the 17-20 year old age group has meant even the government has had to make (or mute) this unpopular move.

The people who don't drive for medical reasons use the wheels service at 45p per mile and with fixed(ish) pick up and drop of times - which are outwith school start and finish times (the wheels service uses the same drivers and vehicles that do the school runs). The school run service stops at age 16 which is why my daughter got a scooter and had the serious accident - not her fault, the at fault driver got a big fine and a ban). If you can't drive for medical reasons basically you have to move into town or you don't work.

The wheels service starts at 9.30 (ish) and ends at 11.30 (ish), then 1.30 to 2.30. Outpatients appointments are made so that wheels service people have priority. It's the way it is........

 

[MR. FUSION]

The people who don't drive for medical reasons use the wheels service at 45p per mile and with fixed pick up and drop of times - which are outwith school start and finish times (the wheels service uses the same drivers and vehicles that do the school runs). The school run service stops at age 16 which is why my daughter got a scooter and had the serious accident - not her fault, the at fault driver got a big fine and a ban). If you can't drive for medical reasons basically you have to move into town or you don't work.

I do understand the difficulty of rural living as I did it for 11 years. But I dont think location is a factor in injuring others whilst driving, age is, and sex is, it seems. But of course the govt can't just keep spotty testoterone filled 17 year old males off the road, it has to be a blanket policy.

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[teensvan99]

Every one who wishes to drive should do 12 month on a small motorbike to learn road craft before getting into a car. Something that is lacking today. None of our 4 kids did anything on 2 wheels and after 20 years + driving only one shows any sign of road craft. I passed my bike test back in 66 and my car test at 67. We have driven in a vast amount of countries over the years and the UK drivers R the most inconciderate dont give a toss about anyone except themselves lot.

steve & ann. ............ teensvan

 

[Puddleduck]

Or maybe as in some states in the US where 15 year olds can drive on certain routes.... not saying 15 year olds here but maybe if they pass their test a 17 year old between specified points on approved routes at fixed times????

 

[motor roamin]

They have been making alterations to the Hgv licence aqusition for years, most have been for the better, including lowering the age from 21 to 18 we have trained many under 21's and they have taken the responsibility of driving a weapon very well, the DVSA have closed many test centers for Hgv licence acquisition and do intend to close more, this has put the cost of having a test centre on us the trainer, no small cost either it added £20k on our annual costs, not a bad thing in some ways it means along with all test centers our first time pass rates get published (I expect this year to be 80%) it stops other companies lying to customers who do their homework.

It never ceases to amaze me when we get a little older we forget being young, why put the age up from 17 I couldn't wait to be 17 and get my licence plus my first car was a 3.8 ltr mk11 Jag so not an Austin 7 by any means, was I crazy yes it's part of growing up, don't put the age up improve the quality of crap driving instructors, I would say from experience 25% of car instructors are good, then when passed for twelve months new drivers must display a green P and not allowed on motorways with a green P displayed, after 12months there is then advanced training which includes motorways and any other restrictions imposed on new drivers, putting the age up won't make better drivers, most of us don't grow up before 25 anyway, I think a driving licence is a right but a privilege to be allowed to keep and must be earnt by proving you deserve that privilege, this of course is a generalization, some will have old heads on young shoulders some will never grow up, the other problem with the test is you only need to achieve an average standard for a hour, then your let loose for the rest of your driving life, please don't blame trainees all the while, we must look at the standard of instructors as well, you wouldn't believe the lack of basic knowledge most car drivers we have in for training have, it makes me a much more cautious driver knowing they are out there and it's definately not age related.

Not a rant just observation of 20+years training.

Cheers Rick

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