Learners face big shake up in car tests
publication date: May 8, 2008
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author/source: Robin Roberts
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New proposals to reform the way people learn to drive and how they are tested have been announced by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly.
Road deaths and serious injuries have fallen by 33pc since the mid 1990s, but the casualty rate for young drivers has not changed. One in five people have an accident within six months of passing their test, and another 70pc report near- misses in the same period. Alongside this newly-qualified drivers and their passengers account for one in five of all car deaths in Britain.
The aim of the consultation is to create safer drivers for life by strengthening the current learning and testing procedures, and creating a culture of extended and advanced learning. This follows extensive discussions with young people, employers, driving instructors and the insurance industry.
A foundation course in safe road use for under 17 years olds will be piloted in schools and colleges in Scotland from this Autumn. This will lead to a qualification that will be available across Great Britain.
For the first time there will be a syllabus to ensure more effective and comprehensive training is offered to learner drivers.
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This will set out more clearly the necessary steps to driving safely - beginning with the basics of car control, progressing to skills such as driving in difficult weather or at night and culminating in ensuring driver awareness is enhanced, to help novice drivers predict the intentions of other road users. This will help more learners to pass first time as safe and responsible drivers. |
| The motorcycle test changes later this year (above) |
The Secretary said, "We want to create a culture in which the driving test is a milestone towards lifelong learning. Employers and insurers should have greater confidence in the driving abilities of those who have undertaken further training, and so we will work with them to develop proposals for post-test courses and qualifications that produce safer drivers, and that they are prepared to reward." Examples of this could include a new advanced training qualification, a course in motorway driving or vocational qualifications such as for van drivers.
Alongside this the driving test will be revised to place less emphasis on mechanical manoeuvres and allow examiners to properly assess the full range of a candidate's abilities. An assessment of their ability to drive independently and test to judge awareness of road safety issues will be introduced.
Key facts about learning to drive
· Two million people take a car driving test every year.
· The pass rate is 44pc, so the average learner takes more than two tests before passing.
· 750,000 people qualify for a licence every year - three quarters of these are under the age of 25.
· Current average cost of a lesson is approximately £21 - up to £28 in London.
· The average learner has 52 hours of lessons and spends £1,500 learning to drive.
· Current fees for the driving test (for a car) are £30 for the theory test (which includes the hazard perception test); £56.50 for the practical test (£67 if you want an evening or weekend).
· A newly qualified male driver faces an insurance premium from £1,200; and a female driver of same age faces a premium from £800.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today welcomed the Government’s plans to consult on new measures to cut the number of deaths and injuries among young drivers on Britain’s roads.
Kevin Clinton, Head of Road Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said, “Everything possible has to be done to make new drivers safer and this eagerly awaited consultation is an important move in the right direction."
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