The practical driving test is all about making sure you can drive safely and confidently in different conditions. It lasts about 40 minutes and costs £62 (or £75 if you opt for an evening, bank holiday or weekend test).
The format of the practical test changed in December 2017. With road traffic accidents currently accounting for the majority of deaths of young people worldwide, the updated test aims to improve road safety and ensure all new drivers are equipped with the skills they need for a lifetime of safe driving.
One of the main changes has been to introduce following satnav instructions – currently over half of car drivers have a satnav yet 1/14 admit to experiencing a ‘near miss’ due to being distracted by theirs. The aim isn’t to discourage people from using a satnav, but to ensure that drivers know how to use them safely – not programming them while driving or trying to pull off risky last minute changes to a route.
That applies to following Google Maps as well – while it’s legal to use a mobile hands-free as a satnav, you need to be aware that it has to be programmed before setting off and the device must be securely fixed in place.
We’ve all heard the saying ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ – and that’s why we’re here to help. We’ve consulted motoring moguls across the UK and collected top tips, handy hints and potential pitfalls to avoid as you take the wheel and, hopefully, say goodbye to your L-plates for good.
Still feeling a bit overwhelmed? Check out these helpful links from our expert car consultants: