Changes to the Theory Test JAN 2012

The Driving Standards Agency has announced it will stop publishing theory test questions from 1 January 2012.

The move follows changes to the practical test introduced last month to encourage learner drivers to focus on driving skills and not the routes examiners would use.

Currently provisional drivers can go through and memorise the questions and answers used in the theory test, which the DSA doesn't feel helps them to learn the principles behind them.

New questions will be introduced in 2012 that will check whether learners actually understand the rules of the road.

Junior Transport Minister Mike Penning said: "The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

"No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers."

Learners will still have access to practice questions that will not be used in the theory test.

Driving Instructor in Portsmouth.

NEW ELEMENT for the Driving Test 4th October 2010.

The driving standards agency has a new element to the Practical driving Test,
Candidates will be asked to drive without step by step instruction from their examiner for about 10 minutes showing they can make decisions for themselves in unfamiliar contexts. This will mean following a series of verbal directions, following traffic signs or a combination of both. To help them visualise the directions the examiner may also show you a simple diagram.

If a candidate goes off route the test is not terminated. It is neither a fault either. There will also be a reduced number of manoeuvres on the test. An examiner may also intervene due to poor signage. The examiner will tell you to continue ahead if this happens.