The History Of The British Driving Test

In 1934 the United Kingdom driving test was born and just a year later was made compulsory. The first year saw 264 000 people apply. At the time their were no test centres, instructors would meet pupils at pre arranged spots such as car parks or railway stations.

The cost was 7 / 6d (about 37) pence The test is to gain a United Kingdom drivers License enabling the user to legally drive in the UK. The pass rate was 63% the highest it has ever been.

The test has been tweaked here and there over time and official figures released by the DSA are available on their website.The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) are the governing body for driving tests created by the Department For Transport and oversee the statutory regulation of driving instructors and trainers.

In Northern Ireland we have the DVA (Driver Vehicle Agency).The UK has 38 500 qualified driving instructors and around 22 000 more pre qualified. These are your first call to action and their task is to get you ready for a driving test.Driving tests can be booked online with 90% of candidates taking this option.

To book a driving test you need to visit the DSA website. The fee for a driving test varies depending on the type of license applied for. Driving test fees are are also listed with the DSA.

The test is three parts:The Driving Theory Test:The driving theory test was introduced in July 1996 as a written examination and updated to a computer based test in 2000.

From 2002 onwards, there are two parts to the theory test: the multiple-choice test and the hazard perception test. Both must be taken and passed in the same session in order to obtain a theory test certificate, which can then be used to book the practical driving test within two years of the theory pass.

Around 1.6 million people sit the examination on an annual basis, with a pass rate of around 43%.A multiple-choice Theory Test.The multiple choice test is performed on a computer touch screen.

The candidate is asked 50 random questions and must answer at least 43 correctly to pass. The questions are from a huge database of pre selected questions. The test lasts for 53 minutes with 15 minutes set up time to help get you accustomed with how to operate the system.

All questions must be answered by simply touching the answer on the screen. If the candidate is unsure of an answer they can flag it and go back at any time to reattempt it. For lorry and bus driver candidates the test is the same principle but with a 100 questions and 85 correct answers pass rate.

A Hazard Perception Test
The hazard perception test comprises of 14 one minute videos from a drivers point of view. The candidate has to point out oncoming hazards as and when they happen. Marks are based on reaction times to hazardous objects oncoming. The quicker the candidate reacts the higher the score, a mark from 5 down to 1 for each clip. Some clips will have 2 hazards in.

For car and motorists the pass mark is 44, 50 for lorry and bus drivers and 57 for approved driving instructors.

Since the introduction of the hazard perception test the pass rate has been around the 43% mark.

A Practical Test
The practical test is taken in a vehicle and lasts around 40 minutes. An examiner will sit with the candidate and monitor them whilst driving a predetermined route. The examiner will be looking for faults, their are three types of faults, serious faults, driving faults and dangerous faults.
If a candidate commits any serious or dangerous faults they have failed the test. The candidate is allowed up to 15 driving faults, anymore and this will also see a fail.

If a candidate accumulates several driving faults in the same category, the examiner may consider the fault habitual and mark a serious fault in that category.

Before starting the practical test the examiner will ask the candidate to perform an eye sight test. The candidate will be asked to read a number plate 20 meters away, if glasses are needed then they must be used for the remainder of the test.

If the candidate fails to recognise the number plate then a second number plate will be asked and if failed again the examiner must measure twenty meters to a third and if a third failure is noted then the test can not proceed as the candidate has failed.

Before moving off the candidate will be asked 2 maintenance questions about the vehicle, these are normally a 'show me ' or tell me' type of question.

These can be a range of questions regarding the engine water or oil levels to tyre pressures. Failure to answer one or both questions correctly will result in a driving fault being noted.

A few 'show me' 'tell me' examples follow:Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level. Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

During the the practical the candidate will be asked to perform a host of different things an emergency stop being one.

An emergency or controlled stop is when the examiner asks the candidate to bring the car to a stop as quickly as possible while maintaining full control of the vehicle. The simulation is performed by the instructor raising his/her hand and saying STOP.

Another task to perform is the three point turn. This is where the candidate will turn the vehicle around in a road and end up facing the other direction. The candidate must not hit any parked vehicles or kerbs. Also candidates are asked to manoeuver the vehicle in reverse into a parking space. During the test the examiner will be assessing the candidate on the way they drive the vehicle.

Generally, the candidate must demonstrate an ability to drive in various road and traffic conditions and react appropriately in actual risk situations. The drive will include two or three normal stops at the side of the road where the candidate has to move away as well.

These are normally on flat roads, hills or behind parked cars. The regulations state that the on-road driving time must be no less than 30 minutes.