Since December 2017, practical driving tests now incorporate a twenty minute element
of independent driving, doubling the section since its introduction several years
ago.
During this twenty minute section, the examiner will ask the candidate to follow
a route by either:
- following road signs to a particular destination point, this will occur in about
one in five tests
- or more likely, the candidate will be asked to follow directions given by a sat nav
unit that the examiner will set up in the vehicle
If they have been asked to follow road signs, at some point the examiner may ask
the candidate to alter their route by following road signs towards a second location.
For example:
“Please follow the road signs for the A123 in the direction of ABC......now follow
the A789 towards XYZ”
The examiner will help with the route if for some reason signs are obscured, for
example by a parked vehicle. If the candidate goes off route or takes a wrong turn,
the examiner will help them get back on route and continue with the independent driving.