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Further details can be seen at www.kent.gov.uk

• Candidates need to understand theory
• End to memorising answers
• Unpublished questions used from 1 January 2012

The Driving Standards Agency is to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers used in theory tests, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today.

This will help to ensure that new drivers learn the principles behind driving theory rather than just learning answers.

The move follows the introduction of independent driving into the driving test and the DSA's decision to stop publishing test routes in October 2010, to make sure the test assesses a learner's ability to drive and not their capacity to memorise routes. 

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. 

“I believe that this - along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime - will lead to better drivers and safer roads.”

In September 2011 DSA will change the format of books and other learning materials available to help people prepare for theory tests. This will take place at the same time as more challenging case studies are introduced to car and motorcycle theory tests.

Then, from 1 January 2012, DSA will create theory tests using questions which will not be published.

Practice questions and answers, not used in theory tests, will still be available to help candidates with revision.

Changes to the practical test from October 2010

Observer on test. Anyone accompanying a candidate TO THE TEST CENTRE must sit in the test vehicle on the test for category B but Not B+E. Hoping this may lead to all test candidates using a registered instructor and raise “Quality Assurance” in the industry. There are many benefits not least helping with the debrief section of the driving test.

Flexible manoeuvres. Only 1 manoeuvre to be assessed as there is a negligible risk of KSI during manoeuvres. Giving more time to assess high incident risk areas i.e.; Rural roads, busy right turns across traffic, joining and changing lanes and faster moving traffic where there is greater stats of KSI (Killed & seriously injured). Trials have taken place at Cardington with ADI’s and their pupils, where the ADI sat in the front seat and examiner in the rear during a test situation, good feedback received but to implement this system all 400+ test centres must look for suitable test routes to use.

Government Drops Plans To Force Driving Instructors To Sit In On Their Pupils L-Tests

Radical plans to force driving instructors - whether parents or paid-for professionals - to sit in on their pupils' L-tests have been 'put into reverse' by the Government.
Ministers announced last May that a revamp of the driving test would 'require' candidates to take with them during their practical driving test an observer who could be their instructor, a parent or a friend.
The idea was that this 'observer' could give valuable feed back to candidates who fail the test.
But that mandatory requirement has now been dropped, though candidates are free to have their instructor on-board if they wish, the Daily Mail can reveal today.
As a result, new driving test regulations being drawn up by the Government's Driving Standards Agency and which were planned originally to be introduced in October 2010 could now be accelerated and introduced sooner.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis denies the reversal is a road safety u-turn - insisting that the decision had been taken to 'avoid unnecessary regulation' and arguing that the measure was too bureaucratic, would slow up introduction of the new test, and that 'education not regulation' was needed to improve standards.
The original Driving Test revamp consultation unveiled by former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly in May 2008 said: 'We propose that the person presenting the candidate should have to sit in the car with their student when the candidate takes the practical test, and to stay as the examiner gives their pupil feedback.'
Last night Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the Daily Mail that the plan to insist that driving test candidates are accompanied by an observer 'have been reversed to avoid unnecessary regulation.'
The Department for Transport has now ruled that 'Candidates will be encouraged to take an observer – who could be their instructor or a parent or friend – in the car for the test to help them understand feedback from examiners and tailor further learning. But after a review of the proposals the Government will not regulate to make this mandatory.'
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: 'We want all learner drivers, from the start of the process, to consider the benefits of having an observer with them on their test.
'Having someone sitting in will enhance their learning experience and, in turn, improve road safety. An observer who has witnessed the test can give far better advice to the learner on how they performed and what areas of their driving they need to work on - whether they pass or fail.'
But after reviewing plans we have decided that encouraging candidates to take an observer is much more appropriate than introducing regulations to make it compulsory. It also means we can take this forward much sooner than previously planned – delivering the road safety benefits without the delay and costs of new regulation.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1219711/Government-drops-plans-force-driving-instructors-sit-pupils-L-tests.html#ixzz0ThzwvbUS