Now learner drivers could be forced to sit FOUR tests.

Learner drivers could be forced to sit four driving tests to secure their licence, the Government has revealed. 

They face having to take two practical tests and two theory exams under the proposals, which are aimed at reducing the carnage caused by young or inexperienced drivers. 

But critics have warned that the plans - which could see the cost of driving lessons soar - will hit the poorest hardest. 

Ministers also admit it could take "months" of tuition and twice the number of lessons to secure a pass under the beefed-up system. 

Currently, more than 90 per cent of driving lessons are conducted with professional instructors. 

Under the revamp, learners will have to follow a strict syllabus and keep a written log of their driving, which will include details of when they master skills such as driving at night or in bad weather. 

They will also need to be "signed off" as fit to take their test by a qualified instructor or, controversially, a parent or friend with more than three years' driving experience. 

They will then work their way through a series of structured "modules", including a revamped theory test, hazard perception test, and two practical tests before securing a full driving licence. 

Currently, learner drivers take an average 52 lessons to gain their licence - an increase of 50 per cent in ten years - at a cost of around £1,500. 

Under the plans, driving instructors will also be graded by a hotel-style star system, according to the pass rates they get with candidates. 

It means instructors who achieve the highest pass rate and are awarded "superstar five star" status could charge more for their services. 

By the same token, instructors with a poor record and few or no stars, face going out of business, having to slash their rates or retrain. 

Around 44 per cent of those learning to drive - or 750,000 Britons - pass their test each year. 

Schools will also offer under-17s a "foundation course" in safe road use, although this will not involve practical driving in real cars. 

However, the Government rejected calls to raise the minimum age for holding a driving licence from 17 to 18 and refused to impose restrictions on newly-qualified drivers. 

Suggestions included banning driving at night or on motorways, limiting the number of young passengers or having a lower drink-drive limit. 

Last night, critics warned the plans could lead to learner drivers being exploited and having to pay more. 

They said there was a "risk" that some unscrupulous instructors could refuse to sign off candidates without them paying for further unnecessary lessons. 

Some learners could then be forced to turn to their parents. 

Officials also admitted the proposals could mean young drivers having to wait "months" after their 17th birthday to sit their test. 

Under the current law, learners can, in theory, take their test within days of turning 17. 

However, a Department of Transport spokesman said: "More than nine out of ten learners already pay for about 52 hours of lessons to pass their driving test. 

"We are very clear that we do not want to see this increase." 

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: "The cost of sitting the revamped test might well double. 


"But if it means more people passing and leads to fewer casualties on our roads, then that will be a price worth paying." 


Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour's spokesman for road safety, also claimed the total cost would be no greater because the system will be more "efficient". 

More drivers would also achieve a higher standard of driving and pass first time under the scheme, he added.


HOW THE NEW TEST WILL WORK

Candidates can apply for a provisional licence from their 17th birthday but will take 'months' to pass their test.

SYLLABUS: A formal syllabus sets out for instructors and 'accompanying drivers' (who could be parents) the skills an L-test candidate has to master. Accompanying drivers must, as at present, have three years driving experience.

WORKBOOK: Learners receive a work book in which to log achievemnts, including experience of driving in bad weather.

'TEST READINESS CERTIFICATE': When a paid-for instructor or 'accompanying driver' deems a candidate is ready to take the test, they can 'sign off' the candidate.

TEST MODULES: The theory and practical test elements will be split into four 'modules', each of which can be taken independently.

MODULE 1: Theory test (1 hour approximately): Theory test questions tackled on a computer screen willno longer be published in advance, and will reduce in number from 50 to 35.

MODULE 2: Hazard perception test (up to 30 mins): Also on computer screen, it will use 3D animation rather than real clips of developing hazards, to test awareness and road safety skills.

PRACTICAL TESTS

MODULE 3: Practical test, manoeuvres (15 to 20 mins): The eye test remains. Practical driving skills grouped together for testing include: Turn-in-the-road (3-point turn), parallel parking, reversing into a parking space and emergency stop.

MODULE 4: On-the-road driving test (about an hour): Instead of obeying instructions from the examiner such as 'turn left at the traffic lights', candidates will show their ability at independent driving.

The Government (DSA) has published a Consultation Paper called Learning to Drive, which sets out proposals for a major review in the way we 
learn to drive. The Consultation Paper explains the reason why change is important and how the public can be involved in the process.



The need for change



Over the past ten years the number of people killed or injured on Britain’s roads has fallen by a third, making road travel in the UK safer than almost anywhere else in the world.

But there’s still a long way to go. 

Experts estimate:

More than three hundred newly-qualified drivers and their passengers were  killed in accidents  in 2006.
One-fifth of all car deaths involve newly-qualified drivers and their passengers.
The proposed changes




The Learning to Drive Consultation Paper outlines what we have found that people would like to see in a new training, testing and driving for life programme. We want to provide:

An improved driving test
An improved learning process
Better information about instructors and improved instructor training
Further options for learning and qualifications

What do you think?



So that members of the public have everything they need to join in the consultation we have published a wide range of information and created a number of feedback mechanisms. You have from now until 8 September 2008 (when the public consultation closes) to get involved.


A special Learning to Drive consultation web site: http://dsa.gov.uk/learningtodrive 

The Learning to Drive Consultation Paper: www.dsa.gov.uk/consultation 

A series of Public Events throughout Great Britain where you can discuss the proposed changes and register your views in person: http://learningtodrive.dsa.gov.uk/pages/publicevents 

You can also call the DSA Helpline on 0300 200 1122 and ask to receive a Learning to Drive Consultation Pack by post or email consultations@dsa.gsi.gov.uk

Access the Consultation document here:  http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/Consultation/ltd/DSA%20-%204222%20Consultation%20Bro-20080605.pdf

New proposals to reform the way people learn to drive and how they are tested have today been announced by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly. 

Road deaths and serious injuries have fallen by 33% since the mid 1990s, but the casualty rate for young drivers has not changed. One in five people have an accident within six months of passing their test, and another 70% report near- misses in the same period. Alongside this newly-qualified drivers and their passengers account for one in five of all car deaths in Britain. 

The aim of the consultation is to create safer drivers for life by strengthening the current learning and testing procedures, and creating a culture of extended and advanced learning. This follows extensive discussions with young people, employers, driving instructors and the insurance industry. 

A foundation course in safe road use for under 17 years olds will be piloted in schools and colleges in Scotland from this Autumn. This will lead to a qualification that will be available across Great Britain. 

For the first time there will be a syllabus to ensure more effective and comprehensive training is offered to learner drivers. This will set out more clearly the necessary steps to driving safely - beginning with the basics of car control, progressing to skills such as driving in difficult weather or at night and culminating in ensuring driver awareness is enhanced, to help novice drivers predict the intentions of other road users. This will help more learners to pass first time as safe and responsible drivers. 

We want to create a culture in which the driving test is a milestone towards lifelong learning. Employers and insurers should have greater confidence in the driving abilities of those who have undertaken further training, and so we will work with them to develop proposals for post-test courses and qualifications that produce safer drivers, and that they are prepared to reward. Examples of this could include a new advanced training qualification, a course in motorway driving or vocational qualifications such as for van drivers. 

Alongside this the driving test will be revised to place less emphasis on mechanical manoeuvres and allow examiners to properly assess the full range of a candidate's abilities. An assessment of their ability to drive independently and test to judge awareness of road safety issues will be introduced. 

Speaking to young drivers at the Driving Standards Agency training centre in Cardington, Ruth Kelly said: 
"Every year more than 750,000 people pass their driving test. New drivers are keen to gain the freedom driving offers them to access further education, jobs or keep in touch with family and friends. 

"But too many new drivers are involved in road accidents and are not properly prepared for driving alone. 

"It is time for a new approach to learning to drive. We must make sure that novice drivers are safe drivers when they have passed their test. We must also create an expectation of lifelong learning, so that people continue advanced learning after their test. 

"That is why I am publishing proposals which offer new drivers more opportunities to learn both before and after the test, including at school. 

"Those who undertake extra training will not only be safer drivers, but will have the added incentive that they could see a financial reward in terms of lower insurance premiums." 


More detail on the proposals in the consultation is below: 

A new foundation course, to be piloted in schools and colleges in Scotland from this Autumn, leading to a qualification on safe road use being offered across Great Britain; 

A more focused and thorough learning process before the driving test, which focuses not just on vehicle control but also the wider skills needed to be a safe driver, from driving in difficult conditions (for example at night or in poor weather) to learning to predict and respond to other road users' intentions; 

A new training syllabus to ensure learners understand what is required of them to become a responsible driver, enable them to undertake structured and efficient learning and accurately assess when they are ready to pass their driving test; 

An improved driving test which requires the driver to demonstrate independent driving skills and clear understanding of different situations on the road, with the option of modular assessment; 

New opportunities to take extra training post test; working with the insurance industry and employers in the driving for work sector we will develop new courses and qualifications to be taken after the driving test that could lead to lower premiums and a better chance of securing a career in the driving for work sector; 

A star-rating system for driving instructors so that learners can make an informed choice based on pass rates and the level of training instructors have undergone; 

A review of driving instructor training and testing to ensure they provide a quality service and are focussed on those areas of driving performance that are closely linked to safe driving.

IAM Motoring Trust research acquired through the Freedom of Information Act reveals that 21.6 per cent of three-year old cars fail their first MoT test (see note 1) – a higher failure rate than in some European countries that do first roadworthiness tests after four years (the European minimum). 

“The high UK failure rates may argue against relaxing our MoT testing regime from three to four years on road-safety grounds. But do we have the full picture?” said Neil Greig, IAM Trust Director. 

“A Treasury-sponsored review in 2006 (see note 2) suggested that the UK practice of 'gold plating' the European minimum for roadworthiness testing was costing motorists £465 million a year. As a result, the Department for Transport prepared a consultation that was due out in the summer of 2007 but has not appeared. In the meantime, motorists have seen no action and may have incurred nearly £1bn in costs for the current MoT testing system. Who can blame them for worrying about being ripped off?”

A 2007 IAM Trust survey (see note 3) showed that motorists viewed the MoT test as an essential road safety measure but that they suspected that failures were influenced by a garage’s wish to carry out unnecessary work.

“It’s time for government to get MoT testing out of the 'all too difficult' box; motorists have waited too long for answers to important questions,” said Greig.


The key questions are;

Why are first-test pass rates in some European countries better at four years than UK pass rates after three years?

· Does the three-year UK MoT test unnecessarily "gold plate" the European minimum requirement for roadworthiness – at a cost to UK motorists of £465 million a year?
 
· Would the application of European minimum standards be enough to guarantee roadworthiness of UK cars?

· Is there any evidence that accidents due to vehicle failure are greater in countries that wait four years for a first compulsory roadworthiness test?

· In the UK, only garages can carry out tests and supply the parts and labour needed to rectify faults. In some European countries, testing and rectifying procedures are separated - should we consider the introduction of independent testing centres?

Greig also questioned why so many UK cars fail the first MoT test after just three years when three-year warranties and service agreements are common.  "Is it because garages do the MoT test before the three-year warranty service instead of after it, which fuels motorists’ suspicion that the MoT is being used to show that the service has been done properly?  Do manufacturers’ service schedules not cover all the points needed to pass a MoT test – if not, why?"  And finally: “Are high failure rates down to motorists failing to maintain their cars properly?”

Driving tests are to become more expensive and harder in an attempt to cut the carnage caused by young drivers.

A massive shake-up of the L-test is to be announced this week. It will mean that the minimum age at which motorists can realistically drive on their own with a full licence will rise by stealth from 17 to 18. 

But critics say the inflation-busting increases of up to 16.5 per cent in the test fee will deter the young from taking it - increasing the numbers of unlicensed, uninsured and untaxed drivers. 

Under the system, - which could be unveiled by the Government as early as Wednesday - learners will still be granted their provisional licence from 17 but will need a year to pass a beefed-up test. 

Before a learner can take their final test, government approved instructors will have to sign-off key skills in a logbook as the young driver masters them. 

This will not prevent parents teaching their children to drive or overseeing practice sessions. In fact, this will be actively encouraged. 

But family lessons will be in addition to - not instead of - official lessons, because parents will not be qualified to sign off the key skills. 

These are part of the current test and include parallel parking, bay parking, reversing around a corner and the turn-in-the-road exercise (three-point turn). 

To secure their full licence there will be a final test with an examiner which will concentrate on more safety-critical issues such as dealing with junctions, roundabouts and moving traffic. 

L-plate candidates will be given greater experience of high speed roads - such as dual carriageways - before being allowed to qualify for a full licence. 

There will be more 'realworld' driving lessons, such as turning at busy junctions, using rural roads and navigating bends on high-speed roads. Candidates will have to experience some night driving. 

But experts fear ministers risk undermining their strategy by sanctioning inflationbusting rises in the driving test fee. 

The standard test charge rose by 16.5 per cent to £56.50 on April 1 2008 with the theory test increasing 5.3 per cent to £30. 

The Government's consultation will look at the impact of a compulsory number of paid-for lessons. 

But Ashton Berkhauer of uSwitch.com said: 'With 58 per cent of learners aged between 17-21, it is these younger drivers who may not be in a financial position to absorb the spiralling costs. 

'This could result in more people being forced to postpone learning to drive or putting it off altogether. 

'It also increases the likelihood of people side stepping the costs altogether by driving without a licence.' 

The revamp follows a Daily Mail campaign, backed by the insurance industry, road safety campaigners and motoring groups, to raise the formal driving age to 18 to cut accidents caused by young drivers. 

The Association of British Insurers says male drivers aged 17 to 20 are ten times as likely to be killed or seriously injured as experienced motorists.

• Year's training needed for most to pass, requiring compulsory paid-for lessons. 

• Beefed up theory test. 

• Skills, including parallel parking, bay parking, reversing around corner and three-point turn signed off in logbook before taking test. 

• L-plate candidates given greater experience of high-speed roads. 

• More real-world driving lessons, such as turning at busy junctions and using rural roads. 

• Exprience of night driving.