As you may have already seen on the news or on social media, the driving test is changing in December 2017.  Having been one of the driving instructors that took part in the trial for the new test in 2015/16, I believe the current test is out dated and needs changing due to the ever-changing ways in which we drive, and that the new driving test is far better.
 
Some people, instructors included believe that it shouldn’t change and that some if not all the changes are either pointless, dangerous or have not been recommended to be done in the past by instructors, however we must move with the times.  I will give you an example, reversing in to a bay has always been thought of as the safest way to park. Driving forwards into a bay is not the done way and is frowned upon by some! As when you reverse you can’t see as clearly.  So, the next time you go to the supermarket, have a look at how many cars are reversed in to the bays and how many have drove in forwards!  The latter will greatly outnumber the former.  Therefore, it stands to reason that if the clear majority of drivers are driving forwards in to the bays, that we test learners on driving forward in to a bay!  Thus, the test being more fit for purpose and like every day driving than it is now with a turn in the road, I mean when was the last time you attempted one? On your driving test probably?
 
Some are complaining about the use of the Satnav on the test. Saying, it is a distraction, dangerous and I have also had a comment that there is nothing wrong with an old-fashioned map! Let me address these thoughts.

This week we have taken on two learners, Nicola and James (names have been changed) that have decided to come to Xpert Driver Training, having previously had lessons elsewhere.
The reason they went elsewhere in the first place was because of the cheap deals they were doing!
Both companies were quite large driving schools. let’s call them School A and B
Nicola had about 20 hours with school A number of years ago, and then called school B earlier this year. She was told when over the phone that they would need 20 hours of lessons, this was prior to even speaking to the instructor, never mind being seen to drive by the instructor! After 20 hours Nicola went in for her test, she was not ready and failed. She has rebooked her test and contacted us for help. When we first saw her drive, it was evident that she was a long way from being ready to pass her test. However, we are trying our best to help her become a safe driver and pass her test. The issue she has though is the cheap lessons she has received has actually given her some bad habits, poor clutch knowledge and control. She has been told what she must do and must not do, to pass the test. This may sound good, however most it what she has been told is wrong or very restrictive. Making her drive very rigid and not flexible! We are working hard on giving her more freedom in her driving and she is slowly getting there, responding that it is so much easier this way!