This article is more than 1 year old

UK.gov mulls three-point turn on three-point turn thanks to satnav. Weeeeeeee. THUD

GPS sends us round the bend now ...

Britain's wannabe motorists could soon face a new driving test after the UK government confirmed plans to scrap the "turn in the road" manoeuvre and bring in satnav directions for candidates to follow instead.

The irritating "reverse around the corner" manoeuvre could also become a thing of the past, with the practical exam expected to undergo its biggest overhaul in nearly 20 years.

"We are carrying out initial research to explore how the driving test could better reflect real-life driving," a spokesperson at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said. "Any future changes to the test would be subject to full public consultation."

A so-called "independent driving" option, which asks drivers to find their own way to a series of destinations using traffic signs, was added to the exam four years ago.

Industry body the Driving Instructors Association (DIA), which represents Blighty's examiners, said it was delighted with the government's proposed rejig of the test.

It's understood that the DVSA will enlist 1,000 learner drivers to partake in a trial of the proposed new exam in the UK, according to the DIA.

Its chief Carly Brookfield said in a canned statement:

DIA has been heavily involved in the scoping of this project and is enthusiastic about the opportunity it presents to evolve the L test to a level where it more realistically assesses a candidates ability to competently and safely manage road based risk and driving in real life, on real roads.

Do you think three-point turns should be removed from the UK's driving test? Or are they more essential than ever, given motorists' reliance on satnavs, which don't always deliver us safely and efficiently to our destinations? Tell us what you think in the comments section. ®

More about

More about

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like