FAQ's

Q1.	Why are you doing this?
A1	Over 3,000 people are killed on our roads every year. We want drivers to be as safe as they can be when they begin driving alone.
Q2.	When does the minimum age for learning to drive go up?
A2	We are not proposing to do this.
Q3	How much will all this cost?
A3	We don’t set the costs of lessons, so we don’t know what effect it will have on the price of learning to drive. However, we’re not planning to force anyone to take a minimum number of lessons with an instructor, so there will always be the option of learning with a friend or family member.
Q4	Will I have to take a certain number of driving lessons?
A4	No. This isn’t something we’re proposing.
Q5	Will I be able to drive at night immediately after getting full licence?
A5	Yes. We’re not changing this.
Q6	Will I be able to carry passengers immediately after getting my full licence?
A6	Yes. We’re not planning to interfere with this.
Q7	Will I have to use P plates?
A7	No, we are not proposing this.
Q8	Will I be able to learn more about road safety and driving before I am old enough to drive?
A8	Yes, we are proposing a pre-driver qualification in safe road use, which would be available to under-17s (among others).
Q9	What will be in this pre-driver qualification?
A9	It is a qualification people will be able to do before they learn to drive. There’s a list of some of the proposed topics in the consultation paper.
Q10	Will there be a driving syllabus/student workbook?
A10	Yes. There will be a syllabus/workbook explaining what learners have to learn if they want to be a safe driver. The syllabus is intended for instructors and accompanying drivers and the workbook is meant for the learner themselves.
Q11	What is going to be in the student workbook?
A11	We haven’t decided exactly what will be in the workbook, but it will help learners understand what they’ve got to learn, and help them to learn effectively. It won’t be compulsory to use it, but it will be recommended.
Q12	Will other categories of vehicle be affected?
A12	Not at this stage, although if our proposals work we’ll want to apply the lessons to other road users.
Q13	What is an attitude advisor?
A13	It is a computer-based self evaluation aid to help learners become more aware of their attitude towards risk.
Q14	What is a driver discussion group? Will all learners have to attend one?
A14	It is a forum for discussing learning safe driving. It will be optional.
Q15	Will learner drivers be allowed to drive on motorways?
A15	This is something we are thinking about at the moment. We are asking for peoples’ views on this.
Q16	Will newly qualified drivers still be able to take Pass Plus?
A16	We’re going to have to revise Pass Plus in line with our other changes. But there will certainly be some kind of post-test qualification.
Q17	Will drivers over the age of 70 have to re-take their driving test?
A17	No. We don’t talk about older drivers in our Paper. This is under discussion in a separate consultation by our sister agency DVLA.
Q18	What are you proposing for driving instructors?
A18	We want to make sure that professional instructors are fully prepared as driver education and training arrangements develop. We also want to make sure that learners have the right information to choose a good instructor.
Q19	How is the test changing?
A19	We want to modernise the driving test so that it better prepares learner drivers for driving alone. We are improving the theory test, the practical test, and looking to split the tests into separate modules.
Q20	Why are you proposing to split up the tests?
A20	To provide a better link between learning and tests – for example some people currently take the hazard perception test before they’ve had proper experience of driving.
Q21	Will the multiple choice theory test be split from the hazard perception test?
A21	This is something we are thinking about at the moment. We are asking for peoples’ views on this.
Q22	Will the practical test manoeuvres be split from the main part of the practical test?
A22	This is something we are thinking about at the moment. We are asking for peoples’ views on this.
Q23	Will you stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers?
A23	We want to make sure that candidates understand driving theory, rather than simply memorising the questions and correct answers. We haven’t decided yet, and we’re asking for peoples’ views.
Q24	How do you propose to help learners prepare for the multiple choice part of the theory test?
A24	If we withdrew the question bank, we might, for instance, publish a practice question paper. This is one of the questions we are asking for people’s views.
Q25	What are case studies?
A25	Case studies are a way of testing that a person has understood what they have learned.
Q26	How are you changing the hazard perception test?
A26	The hazard perception test has been around since 2002. We are considering how best we can update it.
Q27	How will the practical test change?
A27	We are considering various changes to the test, such as, adding independent driving where the candidate takes responsibility for route finding.
Q28	How long will it take for all these changes to take effect?
A28	The Public Consultation is open for 16 weeks, closing on September 9, 2008. Once the results have been collated and considered by ministers in parliament it will take at least 9 months thereafter for the changes to take effect.