Driving & Learning to Drive In The Portsmouth Area

Theory Test Questions No Longer Published

2012-01-01T13:13:00.004Z

From 23 January 2012 the theory test will be made up of multiple-choice questions which are no longer published in learning materials.

The reason behind the move is to stop candidates from simply memorising theory test questions and answers and learning by rote.

Revision materials still available

New official driving and riding theory books have been published since September 2011 to help candidates prepare for the test and for life on the road.

The new books contain:

new sections of text for motorcyclists, a free e-book for car drivers and full references throughout to help candidates learn and revise
questions and answers for revision, including practice for case studies
the official DSA explanations for every revision question, helping candidates fully understand the answer

This approach to learning will help candidates to gain a better knowledge and understanding of driving theory which will help them respond correctly to the new, reworded live questions used in the actual test.

No changes to the format of the test

No changes are being made to the format of the theory test. It will still be made up of a multiple-choice part and a hazard perception part.

The time allowed and the pass marks will stay the same.

Shorter version of independent driving video published by the DSA

2011-11-03T19:05:00.001Z

DSA has published a shorter version of the video that explains what independent driving is. It focuses on what candidates have to do during the independent driving section.

Raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 mph.

2011-10-03T17:49:00.000+01:00

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced his intention to consult on raising the national speed limit on motorways from 70 to 80 miles per hour. The Government plans to launch a full public consultation on the issue later this year with a view to implementing any change in early 2013.
Vehicles have changed dramatically since the current national speed limit was set in 1965. Technological advances mean that cars are significantly safer then they were - contributing to a fall of more that 75% in the number of people killed on British roads since 1965. That is why the Government feels it is now time to look again at whether the speed limit set in 1965 is still appropriate.

1. An increase to the national motorway speed limit would apply to England and Wales. Responsibilities are devolved in Northern Ireland and are planned to be devolved in Scotland.
2. Increased motorway speed limits would apply to cars and motorcycles. Lorries on motorways are subject to lower speed limits and we have no proposals to increase them. The consultation is however likely to seek views about the position related to vans/light goods vehicles on motorways.
3. A thorough impact assessment which takes account of the full environmental, social and economic costs and benefits is being progressed.
4. Some stretches of motorway would be likely to retain a 70 mph limit because of their engineering and environment.
5. We are also considering the case related to increasing the speed limit on other high standard, near-motorway dual carriageways. Changes would be implemented case by case and we are not proposing to consult about raising the default national speed limit of 70 mph for all purpose dual carriageways.

Better enforcement and education to cut road deaths

2011-05-11T15:35:00.000+01:00

Plans to improve road safety education while taking tough action against the small minority of dangerous drivers were set out by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond today.
Careless driving will be made a fixed penalty offence to allow the police more effectively to tackle reckless driving that puts other road users in danger, while disqualified drivers face having to take a new test before regaining their licence.
There will also be more educational courses that can be offered in place of a fixed penalty and points in appropriate cases as well as a new post-test qualification for novice drivers, under plans set out in the new Strategic Framework for Road Safety.
And as new analysis shows, 3,500 deaths and serious injuries could have been prevented in a year if the successes of better local authorities and police forces had been matched across the country. Local people will be given the information they need to have a real say in road safety priorities on their local roads.
Philip Hammond said:
"This report marks a sea change in how we tackle road safety in this country. We are determined to differentiate between wilfully reckless drivers and the law abiding majority who sometimes make honest mistakes, or who have allowed their skills to deteriorate.
"We will focus relentlessly on cracking down on the really reckless few who are responsible for a disproportionately large number of accidents and deaths on our roads. By allowing the police to focus resources on dealing with these drivers, we can make our roads even safer.
"Our vision is to ensure Britain remains a world leader on road safety. We will only do this is if we bring people with us. This means cracking down on the most dangerous drivers without waging war on the law abiding majority.
The new Strategic Framework for Road Safety sets out the government’s plans to:

Make careless driving a fixed penalty offence to allow the police more effectively to tackle the wilfully reckless driving that puts other road users in danger. Guidance will ensure that that the circumstances in which a fixed penalty notice is appropriate are clearly defined.
Require offenders to pass a test before they regain their licence after a serious disqualification.
Make greater use of powers to seize vehicles to keep the most dangerous drivers off the roads.
Increase the level of fixed penalty notices for traffic offences from £60 to between £80 and £100 and penalty points. Levels have fallen behind those for other fixed penalty offences, which risks trivialising the offences.
Improve enforcement against drink and drug driving, as announced in the response to the North Report in March.
Increase the use of police-approved educational courses that can be offered in place of fixed penalty notices to encourage safer driving behaviour.
Launch a new post-test qualification for new drivers, including an assessment process to give insurers confidence that it will create safer drivers who can expect to pay lower insurance costs. This will replace the current Pass Plus scheme.
Continue to improve the driving and motorcycling training processes, including introducing film clips into theory test.
Create a new website to allow local people to easily compare the road safety performance of their local area against similar areas, as well as a new portal to help road safety professionals share information. The framework published today also includes maps which show the recent road safety records and improvements of local authorities.
Launch an annual road safety day.

By DSA direct email

Unofficial driving test booking websites: advice for learners.

2011-05-08T21:09:00.000+01:00

Directgov is the only official driving test booking website.

Other websites offer driving test booking services, but might charge extra administrative fees on top of the Driving Standards Agency’s (DSA) fee. Those websites are not run by or connected to DSA or Directgov.

DSA recommends that all learner drivers book their driving test through the official booking service on Directgov by visiting direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.

If you have used an unofficial website DSA gets complaints from customers who have used unofficial booking websites. In most cases these websites are doing nothing illegal. This means that DSA’s powers to respond may be limited.

If you have used an unofficial booking website, you might have seven working days to cancel your order and get all your money back. However, this will depend on the terms and conditions of the website you used.

How to be an eco-safe driver' video

2011-01-10T19:10:00.000Z

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has published a new video about eco-safe driving. Watch the video for tips on how to be an eco-safe driver and contribute to road safety as well as reducing your fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.

What to do if there is bad weather on your driving test day.

2010-12-23T20:14:00.000Z

View the official DSA Youtube video on what you need to do if you think your test will be cancelled due to bad weather.

DSA to stop publishing questions used in theory tests

2010-11-01T20:05:00.000Z

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.

Other companies which publish products containing DSA theory test questions will also no longer have access to the questions used in the tests.

Independent driving - The official view

2010-09-27T17:19:00.001+01:00

Independent driving introduced into tests next Monday

Independent driving will be introduced into the British driving test next Monday (4 October).

Candidates in all main categories of test will be asked to spend around 10 minutes demonstrating their ability to drive safely without step-by-step directions from an examiner.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

“The independent driving assessment gives test candidates the chance to show they have the necessary skills to cope with the sort of traffic conditions they will face every day.

“Learning those skills from the very start of the driving process will help make new drivers safer.”

At the moment the examiner gives directions throughout the test. But during the independent drive, the candidate will have to follow traffic signs or a short series of verbal directions, or a combination of both. To help candidates understand where they are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show a diagram. Candidates can also ask for a reminder as they drive.

DSA’s Chief Driving Examiner Trevor Wedge said:

“The aim of independent driving is to assess the candidate’s ability to drive safely whilst making decisions independently. It’s not a test of navigation and candidates won’t be failed for going off route.

”The test is being improved to help produce safer drivers, but that doesn’t mean it’s getting any harder. We know many instructors are already teaching independent driving.”

In addition, practical car test candidates will only have to complete one of the three reversing manoeuvres, instead of two at present. Other categories of test remain unchanged. The price and duration of tests also stay the same.

Buying a used car.

2010-09-15T21:00:00.002+01:00

In this economic climate, more and more of us are making the decision to buy a second hand car, but how do you avoid being taken for a ride?

New figures from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) have revealed that complaints about second hand cars bought from independent dealers continue to top the list of calls to advice service Consumer Direct, and the numbers of complaints are increasing.

The research suggests that the average cost to car owners is £425 to resolve faults that were the dealer's obligation to correct. So how can you avoid the pitfalls of buying a used car?

Firstly, make sure you ask the dealer the right questions such as:

what mechanical history and mileage checks have they done on the car you want to buy?
how many former owners has the car had and is the full service history available?
has the car been modified from its original specification?
is it an ex-hire car or similar?

Ask for important information and answers to your questions to be put in writing before you buy so you have proof of claims - don't just rely on verbal claims or promises by the seller.

Find out about the dealer's customer complaint procedures and whether they are signed up to a code of practice - if a problem does arise after the sale you need to know who to contact.

Remember that if you buy a car from a private seller or an auction, you may pay less but you will have fewer legal rights than when buying from a dealer.

New driving test from 4th Oct 2010

2010-07-25T18:58:00.001+01:00

The practical driving test is going to change slightly from October 4th 2010. More details to come but for now I have embedded a tubetube video from the DSA's site giving you the information you need.

Booking Your Theory & Practical Driving Tests.

2010-07-19T19:47:00.001+01:00

After many complaints from people who have beed ripped off by third party websites that over charge for their 'Booking service' The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) have today issued a warning.

Book direct, book Directgov
Don’t pay any extra for their theory and practical test bookings - make sure they always use the official Directgov website.
Booking with Directgov guarantees a service that your pupils can trust, and it will always be cheaper than a third party booking service.
DSA recommends all car and motorcycle test bookings are made via the official Directgov website.
Here are the links:
direct.gov.uk/booktheorytest – book your DSA driving theory test onlilne
direct.gov.uk/changetheorytest – check, change or cancel your DSA driving theory test online
direct.gov.uk/bookpracticaltest – book your DSA practical driving test online
direct.gov.uk/changepracticaltest – check, change or cancel your DSA practical driving test online

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For the current test fees you should be charged Click here.

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The stupidity of some people.

2010-07-18T12:16:00.001+01:00

I recieved an email from a pupil yesterday as follows,

Hi Simon,

On my way into work today I came across something that prompted me to think that the “Show Me Tell Me” part of the driving test may need some reviewing. I spoke to the mechanics at the repair centre, and they said it genuinely was somebody who tried to do a temporary repair on a wheel that then in all probability caused the accident they subsequently had. I was so amazed by the pure stupidity of it, that I took a photo with the phone.

My suggested amendment is as follows...

Q. Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and their general condition is safe to use on the road.

A. No cuts or bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 75% of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference. If you do find a problem with the tyre, under no circumstances should you EVER attempt to repair it USING PARCEL TAPE.

Thanks to Matt Charman of Magimedia

Test day requirements

2010-06-25T19:04:00.000+01:00

Practical test online booking and appointment confirmations

From now, you’ll need to provide a contact email address when you book or change your practical test online to receive your booking confirmation.

Booking confirmations for tests will no longer be posted out to you.

No need to bring appointment confirmation

You’re no longer required to bring your appointment confirmation to the test centre on the day of your practical test.

You must still bring the following items – if you don't, the test may not go ahead and you may lose your fee:

an appropriately insured and licensed vehicle, displaying L-plates that is suitable for the purpose of the test
the appropriate theory test pass certificate (or confirmation) if you are not exempt
both parts of your photo card licence - if you don't take both parts of your licence, your test will not take place and you'll lose your fee
if you have an old-style paper licence, you must take your signed driver licence and a valid passport - no other form of photographic identification will be accepted

There’s no change to theory test bookings and theory test requirements.

Changing Driving Test

2010-06-16T20:18:00.003+01:00

From 4 October 2010, learner drivers will be tested on independent driving as part of the practical driving test.

During the test, you will have to drive for about 10 minutes, either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both.

To help you understand where they’re going, the examiner may show you a diagram.

Don't worry though It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

The good news is that you will only have to do 1 reversing manoeuvre when currently it is 2.