New driving test rule — is it fair?

This change is being brought in to shorten the length of time examiners spend on the car with people which is understandable. It does put more pressure on learners though, along with not being able to cough which also can now end a test if the examiner thinks you are ill.

See the bottom of page 2 under the section "Exception to conducting a test as normal" to read the details. This is a temporary measure for key worker driving tests only. The examiner will get you to drive back to the test centre before telling you that you have failed but you'll probably realise before that when you start heading back towards the centre early!

[Mackem-blix]

I would wholeheartedly disagree with this idea. I failed my first test within the first 5 minutes (and I knew it) and was allowed to continue. I learned more in the remaining test route than in hours of lessons and was much more prepared for my second test (which I passed). I’d say fair enough if the fault is dangerous as we wouldn’t want to put other road users in danger, but if conditions for examiners are unsafe (which I believe they are) then the test shouldn’t go ahead in the first place. A decision like this means a marginal fault would be in the examiners best interest to call serious.

[redwoodsquirrel]

Last year, one of my pupils messed up the bay park in the test centre car park at the beginning of her test. Failed with 3 mins on the clock. That would be a kick in the teeth just now😊

[davortexhd]

It's a bit random, one of my fave vids so far is you doing a test route around Redditch. Will there be another? Can you also include doing a hill start on warrington hill that's in Redditch too, would make a great video! 😁

[jmzyboy]

I think that's way better. There's nothing more frustrating than going all the way through the whole test for the examiner to turn around and tell you that you failed on a major fault 3 minutes into the test. At least you're not wasting any more time than you have to. plus that examiner can move on to the next person more quickly.

[tomjohnson]

When will this be announced officially