News
Independent driving: the facts
Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010.
It's tasking the candidate to drive for about 10 minutes, either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both.
To help the candidate be clear about where they’re going, the examiner can show them a diagram too.
It doesn't matter if candidates don't remember every direction, or if they go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.
For more information on this subject follow this link direct to the DSA Independant driving
If you are having problems, or require more information then follow this link to the Independant driving page of the Direct Gov website.
Supervising C1 and D1 learner drivers
When we announced the results of the Consultation: Improved Services for Customers and General Fee Increases for 2008 on 19 February 2008 we explained that we intended to provide clarification within the regulations as to who may act as an accompanying driver for learners driving category C1 (medium size lorry) and D1 (minibus) vehicles.
Those new arrangements will come into effect on 1 May 2010. From that date, it will be illegal for anyone to act as an accompanying driver in a category C1, C1+E, D1 or D1+E vehicle unless they have passed a driving test for the particular category of vehicle concerned. From 1 May, the supervising driver in category C1 or D1 Vehicles (including vehicle plus trailer combinations) must:
a. hold a full (post 1997) licence for the same category of vehicle as that being driven by the learner.
b. have held that entitlement for the relevant period of time – usually three years.
The intention was that drivers holding category C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E entitlements obtained before 1997 (on other words, implied rights), and who passed a driving test in one of those categories before 6 April 2010, would be given ‘credit’ for the time they had held the implied rights entitlement for the category concerned. The effect being that they would, from the date that the clarifying amendments to the regulations were implemented, already meet the requirements at (a) and (b) above. However, the deadline for passing the test(s) and gaining access to the concession has been extended and is now 1 May 2010.
Drivers who pass the relevant driving test(s) after 1 May will have to wait until they have held their new entitlement for the relevant period, usually three years, before they can act as an accompanying driver in a category of vehicle covered by that entitlement.
These new arrangements do not affect a person’s existing entitlement to drive a medium sized lorry or minibus.
Background
Before January 1997, drivers who passed their car driving test were also allowed to drive medium sized lorries and minibuses (with or without trailers) subject to certain restrictions. These are commonly known as ‘implied rights’ or ‘grandfather rights’. In January 1997, DVLA ceased to grant implied entitlements (categories C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E) on passing a car (category B) test. Since that date, people who wish to obtain an entitlement to drive category C1, C1+E. D1 or D1+E vehicles must meet higher medical standards and pass separate driving tests.
Further information about the new arrangements can be obtained from our customer service centre on 0300 200 1122.
Driving examiner strike on Wednesday 24 March
The PCS union is asking its members to take strike action on Wednesday 24 March.
If you have a driving test booked for that day, we ask you to attend as scheduled.
We won’t know the effects of the strikes until the day as not all of our examiners and staff are members of the union. We don’t know at this stage who will attend for work, which is why we ask that you arrive for your test regardless.
You don’t need to do anything and there is no need to contact DSA.
If you can’t take a test because of the action, you will have the test rebooked automatically, free of charge, and an appointment confirmation will be sent by email or post.
If your new appointment isn’t suitable you can change it online at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.
Strike action on 8 and 9 March
If you were unable to take a test because of PCS union strike action, you will have the test rebooked automatically, free of charge, and an appointment confirmation will be sent by email or post. You do not need to contact DSA.
If your new appointment isn’t suitable you can change it online at direct.gov.uk/drivingtest.
Online booking system is moving
The online booking system for practical driving tests is moving to Directgov. That means from 9.00 am on Monday 21 March from you’ll need to visit direct.gov.uk/drivingtest to book, check, change or cancel your practical driving test.
The move means our existing system will be unavailable from 2.00 pm on Sunday 21 March. We’re sorry for any inconvenience.
You can find out more about the practical driving test at direct.gov.uk/practicaltest, or by visiting the Driving Standards Agency’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/dsagov and watching ‘Are you ready?: a guide for learners’.
Driving test cheats given jail sentences
Two fraudsters who made cash out of taking people’s driving tests for them have both been jailed today.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has welcomed the sentences handed to Ali Abdullah and Muktar Nuren, impersonators who illegally sat theory and practical driving tests for up to 43 cheat candidates in return for cash.
Following a detailed investigation conducted by DSA investigators and Greater Manchester Police, Abdullah, 32, and Nuren, 22, were arrested at their homes in July 2008 and charged with conspiracy to defraud.
The pair pleaded guilty to the charge and at Manchester City Crown Court today Abdullah was given a three year jail sentence and Nuren was sentenced to one year in jail.
The pair, both from Manchester, carried out the fraudulent tests across Cheshire and elsewhere between February 2006 and June 2008. They conducted theory tests at Salford, Runcorn, Preston, Stockport, St. Helen’s and Ilford in Essex, as well as practical tests in Sale, Oldham, Bury, Cheetham Hill, Failsworth, and Redditch in Worcestershire.
A number of driving test candidates have been arrested in connection with the investigation and received police cautions. DSA will be seeking to revoke all licences obtained by illegal means.
DSA is committed to the prosecution of offenders in order to preserve public safety on the roads and the integrity of the driving test procedure.
Michelle Moston, Deputy Head of DSA’s Fraud and Integrity Team, said: “We are very pleased with today’s results because they reflect the seriousness of the crime. .People like Abdullah and Nuren, who impersonate at driving tests, present a real risk to all road users, as they provide an entitlement to drive to those who have not been assessed to show that they are competent to do so.
“In addition to obtaining the qualification to drive, many people seek possession of a full UK driving licence to establish proof of identity. Once obtained, that licence may also be used as proof of identity in a variety of other circumstances, such as obtaining state benefits and accommodation, opening bank accounts, obtaining credit cards and even undertaking domestic air travel.”
DSA investigates all reported cases of fraud surrounding the driving test procedure and works closely with the police and criminal justice agencies to identify offenders and bring them to court.
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