Independent driving.

In 2010 the DVSA added a 10 minute section of independent driving into the driving test.
In 2017 the independent driving section was extended to 20 minutes and introduced the following of a sat nav.
Today on average 4 in 5 learners taking their driving test will follow a pre-set route on a sat nav, and 1 in 5 will follow road signs.

Following the route is a part of the independent drive, but it is mainly about the driver making all the decisions. 

Independent driving is where we all need to be by the time we have passed our driving test.
This level of confidence is where we want you to be, well before you think about taking your driving test.
During the driving test, you will be asked to drive a percentage of the test (anywhere up to 20 minutes) independently. This may be by following a pre-set route on a Sat-nav that an examiner has programmed before your test into the Sat-nav, or it may be by being asked to follow a set of direction road signs.
When asked to follow a Sat-nav route you just need to listen to the Sat-nav and briskly look at the screen to confirm that what the Sat-nav is asking you to do is where you believe the Sat-nav wants you to go.
If you are unsure as to the instructions the Sat-nav has given you , you can ask the examiner to clarify that information.
The Sat-nav will usually give two verbal instruction, one of them at anywhere between 300yrds before you need to carry out any direction or speed change, and then a second instruction around 90yrds from it.
If you would like the screen zoomed in further or out, you can request the examiner to change it for you.
If you make a mistake following the route do not worry, as long as the correct signal, position in the road, speed etc is good and you do not affect another road user in the process, you cannot be penalised for going the wrong way.
The Sat-nav or the examiner will get you back on track.


Following road signs, is as simple as following a Sat-Nav.
The examiner will ask you to follow a selection of direction signs for a certain amount of time.
It is your responsibility to be looking out for signs throughout the drive and just deal with being in the correct lane and follow the directions as requested.
The examiner will give you one direction at a time and you just need to keep following that direction until they give you the next direction.
As with the Sat-nav route, if you make a mistake and go the wrong direction, the examiner will get you back on track, but again, if you do go the wrong way, it must not affect another road user in the process. As long as the correct procedure has been carried out dependent on what you are doing, no faults will be recorded for going the wrong way.

There tends to be a growing number of learners around the UK, with the attitude of

"let's have a go and see how I get on"

NO, LET'S NOT!

"Having a Go" and thinking you'll get a lucky 40 minute test, an easy route, hardly any traffic to deal with because the time of day you've booked it for, good weather conditions etc is one thing.
BUT! what happens the next day?
Let's just say you manage the pass, you've already got yourself a car, it's all legal, and you want to go out.
Today however, it's raining, it's rush hour traffic time, you're not sure where you are going, and you've never driven your car other than up and down your driveway or on your own.
How confident are you feeling now?
Teaching you to drive totally Independently is possibly the biggest thing any Driving Instructor wants you to achieve.
They will then know that once you have passed your test, you will have a sufficient amount of knowledge to know how to deal with the standard everyday driving.
That knowledge will then grow FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
It would be impossible for any instructor to prepare you for every eventuality that may arise in your lifetime of driving, but what they should be able to achieve, is to know that your knowledge and experience already gained up to your test day is enough that you will be able to make the correct choices as and when they are needed when you are a full licence holder to remain a safe driver for life and not cause any other road users any concerns.

Always ensure that your lesson do NOT just include the same roads around your local area or the driving test area week in week out.
THIS INSTRUCTOR DOES NOT HAVE YOUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART!
Driving the same roads time and time again, will without a doubt make you a really comfortable driver ON THOSE ROADS, bit IT WILL NOT prepare you for real life.
This type of instructor is preparing you to pass a driving test and NOT preparing you for real life driving.
Your lessons NEED to get you out of your comfort zone, on roads you do not know, putting you in as many different situations as they possibly can, before taking your test. You need to know how to drive at speed, in the dark, in different weather conditions, in the middle of a busy Town centre, on country roads, dual carriageways, motorways if they are available to your location, hilled areas to understand use of gears uphill and downhill, know how to parallel park up hill and downhill in busy tight situations, park in a parking bay in the busiest of car parks, etc.
Driving round and round quiet back streets will not prepare you for a lifetime of safe driving. If you instructor is not prepared to expand your training zones, it would be in your best interest to change your instructor.


Now some information to keep you legal!
The use of a mobile phone or free standing Sat-nav.
It is ILLEGAL to hold your mobile phone or Sat-nav whilst your engine is ON!
If you want to follow a Sat-nav either on your phone or a free standing Sat-nav,
you MUST SET IT UP BEFORE YOU SWITCH ON THE ENGINE!
and if using your phone it MUST be in a cradle and not held while you are driving!
If you need to adjust the route, you should pull in first.
The rule for built in sat-nav's is different, but it would be dangerous to try and change it while you are driving.


https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

By holding and using your mobile phone while driving and being caught doing so in the first 2 years of passing your test, you WILL have your licence revoked!
It will also come with a £200 fine and 6 points on your licence.

You haven't just spent a lot of time and money to pass your driving test just to have your licence revoked because you wanted to say Hi to a mate on Facebook!