Changes to Britain’s driving test are being considered by the Government in response to the development of driverless cars. This makes up part of a series of reforms for driving lessons and practical tests, designed to make learning to drive more like real world driving.
The proposed changes include the use of satellite navigation during part of the driving test and allowing learner drivers to practice on the motorway. Expanding the number of driving test slots available outside of daytime weekday hours is another proposal being looked at.
Efforts to revamp the driving test to allow learners to prepare for when driverless cars are on the road have also been pledged by the Government.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said: “DVSA will reform the driving test (and, thereby, pre-test learning) to encourage more real life driving experience and ensure that it takes account of local variations and increasing vehicle automation.”
Transport minister Lord Ahmad said: “The way in which we drive is changing. The (motoring) agencies must adapt to the way we live now.”
During the March Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced plans for trials which will allow driverless cars on motorways by next year.
The aim is to start testing a small number of driverless cars on local roads before assessing them on motorways later this year.
