5-5-08

Tougher Driving Test

DRIVING tests are to become more expensive and harder in an attempt to cut the carnage caused by young drivers. A massive shake-up of the L-test is to be announced this week. Critics say the inflation-busting increases of up to 16.5 per cent in the test fee will deter the young from taking it — increasing the numbers of unlicensed, uninsured and untaxed drivers. Under the system, - which could be unveiled by the Government as early as Wednesday - learners will still be granted their provisional licence from 17 and may need a year to pass a beefed-up test. Before a learner can take their final test, government-approved instructors will have to sign-off key skills in a logbook as the young driver masters them.

This will not prevent parents teaching their children to drive or overseeing practice sessions. In fact, this will be actively encouraged. But family lessons will be in addition to - not instead of - official lessons, because parents will not be qualified to sign off the key skills.
These are part of the current test and include parallel parking, reversing around a corner and the three-point turn.

To secure their full licence there will be a final test with an examiner which will concentrate on more safety-critical issues such as dealing with junctions, roundabouts and moving traffic. L-plate candidates will be given greater experience of high speed roads - such as dual carriageways before being allowed to qualify for a full licence.

There will be more ‘real-world’ driving lessons, such as turning right at busy Junctions, using rural roads and navigating bends on high-speed roads. Candidates will have to experience some night driving.

From 1st April 2008, the cost of the Theory Test will increase to £30 and Practical Test to £56.50 Monday to Friday and £67 at weekends.

L-drivers will face a Green Challenge

Their knowledge of ‘green issues’ to pass their driving test under rules to encourage environment-friendly motoring.

In the theory test, they will need to show they understand how motoring affects the environment, answering questions on the best speeds for driving and braking.

Questions could also cover route planning to cut down on fuel consumption.

In the practical test, learners could fail if they ‘excessively use the accelerator’ when starting the engine, use lower gears ‘unnecessarily’ and ‘consistently fail to use engine braking’.

Driving instructors are also being tutored in the ‘principles of Eco-driving’, based on reducing fuel consumption and the output of carbon dioxide.

The Driving Standards Agency said: ‘This should lead to a group of drivers who from day one drive in an environmentally-friendly way.’

The changes are part of a major shake-up of the driving test by the DSA

Learners will also have to show knowledge of first-aid, new motorway signs and the importance of cars being licensed and insured.