Driving Test

Bump!
The DVSA is currently consulting on changes to the driving test to increase the time drivers spend driving independently and changing the manoeuvres they are expected to demonstrate.

A group of cycling orgs are asking for drivers to be tested interacting with cyclists (where cyclists are present in the test location)
@Sparky

We understand that there may not always be people cycling in the driving test location so the points below may be guidance and optional. However, driver testers should be encouraged to seek out locations where there are people cycling.

This would give a greater opportunity for tested drivers to be observed interacting with people cycling. We would expect the driver to decide whether or not to overtake the person on a bike, choosing to remain behind them if overtaking would be unnecessary, illegal or risky. Should the driver decide to overtake we would expect them to give the rider at least as much space as they would if overtaking a car, and to pass at a speed only slightly faster than that of the rider only pulling in when well clear of the rider.

Should the driver encounter a person on a bike at a place where there is a chance that they may need to swerve to the right, such as when passing parked cars where a door may open or a pedestrian stepping out between the parked cars, the driver should be observed deciding not to overtake or demonstrate overtaking taking into account the possibility that a rider may swerve right. Similarly when moving through a location where the road narrows, a driver should be observed remaining behind the person cycling.

An extended independent driving section would also increase opportunities for the driver to be observed driving where there is cycling infrastructure such as advanced stop lines and cycle lanes, where they could be observed giving a rider in a cycle lane the same amount of room while overtaking as they would where the rider is using the same lane as the driver.

Further to the above, a longer period of independent driving would give a driver more opportunities to demonstrate that they look out for cyclists (as well as for other drivers) when pulling out of junctions, (especially when) turning left, and turning right through a queue of stationary traffic.

Where a driver does not encounter a single person on a cycle during their test the tester should check their understanding of some of the points above by asking them questions such as ‘Describe when and how you would overtake a person on a cycle’.

1 Attachment

• DVSA.DrivingTestConsultationaug2016.joint response.docx