changes to Practical Mod 2 driving test?

[caretaker]

Has anyone heard of the changes due in October to the Mod 2 driving test due ?

I have heard that there is going to be an independent driving section.. ie your not directed street by street where to go, I think?

I copied this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRl3zkkOgg

[from the DSA web site;

Don't really know anything about it or what it involves so i still need to read more

Independent driving explained

i]Independent driving in the driving test

Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010[/i]

Independent driving - 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include a 10 minute section of independent driving.

During your test you’ll have to drive independently by either following:

•a series of directions

•traffic signs

•a combination of both

To help you understand where you’re going, the examiner may show you a diagram.

It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

[TeamMCS]

There was another post a while back which mentioned this rumour. I think it was thrown out as stupid. Why would they test your ability to read a map, it's your ability to drive which matters

[caretaker]

There was another post a while back which mentioned this rumour. I think it was thrown out as stupid. Why would they test your ability to read a map, it's your ability to drive which matters

 

Well its on the DSA website so it can't be all wrong surely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRl3zkkOgg

[mealexme]

There was another post a while back which mentioned this rumour. I think it was thrown out as stupid. Why would they test your ability to read a map, it's your ability to drive which matters

 

Well its on the DSA website so it can't be all wrong surely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRl3zkkOgg

 

So it does :'( That is gunna suck when i finally do my test lol. may just ride around on L plates for a bit longer...

[mealexme]

What exactly are they testing by putting the "independant driving" in? Is it to test how you would ride in real life situations?

Well the following is straight off the DSA site.

"Special needs

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has procedures to identify special needs and disabilities when tests are booked online or over the phone. The examiner then knows which type of special needs you have so reasonable adjustment can be made.

For the independent driving section, this could be by asking you which method you prefer - following traffic signs or a series of directions (a maximum of three), which are supported by a diagram. In some cases this may be shortened to just two directions"

people with special needs live in the same reality as us and will also have to follow signs in real life situations.

anti-discrimination has gone too far, it is now ant-anti-discrimination as they are now discriminating against people who do not have special needs.

Also you cant use satnav...

Im gunna fail when i do my test AAARRRRRGGGGG!

Rant over (for now)

[caretaker]

What exactly are they testing by putting the "independant driving" in? Is it to test how you would ride in real life situations?

Im gunna fail when i do my test AAARRRRRGGGGG!

Rant over (for now)

 

I think it's purpose is, according to the DSA, to help you consider/practice looking at and using directional road signs as well as highway signage..yes, as you would in real life situations, and so that you dont get lost once you take your L plates off and don't have anyone telling you where to go!

Personaly I think if it means 10 minutes less of not knowing where you are going next "further than the next corner" that is..then it could be an improvement. ie "Take the A617 to Chesterfield" or whatever would probably be a more realistic decision making excercise rather than continously just seeking out the next left/right or whatever, as its asked of you. That said it seems the test, after October will now consist of both methods anyway.

Has anyone learning been told about this by their trainschool...or practised it?

[cypek]

I can't really see any problem with it. They just ask you to follow signs to some place for some time and they say clearly if you make a mistake you won't fail. Can't see anything hard in looking at the signs really....

[apatia77]

I think that would be OK if you were doing your MOD2 in a place that you already know. However I don't think it will work well in places you are in for the first time and this is the case for many of us doing MOD2 as there are only very few test centres around.

I personally had to ride my bike 35 miles to the Burgess Hill to take my MOD2 and I had never been there before. And seeing a map and then getting to selected location would be impossible for me.

If they are doing this for motorbike test then surely this will be introduced for car license too.

Another unnecessary step that will make obtaining car/motorbike license even harder.

[sparkeh9]

Another unnecessary step that will make obtaining car/motorbike license even harder.

 

You think that's the entire point? perhaps they think it will stop incompetent drivers from getting on the road

[caretaker]

Another unnecessary step that will make obtaining car/motorbike license even harder.

 

You think that's the entire point? perhaps they think it will stop incompetent drivers from getting on the road

 

Sometimes more is less-

Some Incompetent drivers are allready on the road....sometimes on bicycles, or in cars with L plates or on twist and go scooters even new cbt holders/125cc learners but at least they have the facilty to practice additional safety requirements without having to pay for every hour they do. Limiting 'on road' practice for the full 500cc licence to only those who can pay and without other options is a financially restrictive system that affects a catergory of motorcycling that I feel, out of all the learner catergories should be of the greatest safety priority importance due to the nature of the larger faster machine. Having no alternative but to pay to jump through endless hoops some of which have no comparison to actual real road conditions could in the future make motorcycling become something afforded by the rich and done only occasionally. ......... and no longer a cost effective alternative method of transport. By its very nature of only having two wheels in certain condition it will contain a greater element of risk...... Every cyclist knows the danger of going to fast, a car door opening, braking on icy road conditions, being cut up by a car too- should cyclists take a test and pay next?

If tougher regulations mean better safety for all then it is admirable but we need to be carefull we are not being sold a pup and ensure that the better safety angle, is not just being used to raise more test revenue .....

Sometimes it seems in reality there is little evidence on our roads of people continuing to use many of the safe driving methods after they have passed their test.When did you last see a car driver cornering with his hands at 10 to 2 and/or maintaining only 70mph on the outside lane of the motorways....as he kept his thinking and braking distance!

Its possible these and many other things could in reality be considered to be a dangerous practice if .....continously only done by a few

(rant over)

[Guest]

Another thing to concentrate on as well as your riding performance! Glad i've done my bike and car tests now coz this sounds like a pain in the arse! You should be tested on performance not to see if you can find a certain place, you can do that on your own

[alol74]

I'm so glad that I don't care any more, but my missus will have to go through this

[Guest]

I think that would be OK if you were doing your MOD2 in a place that you already know. However I don't think it will work well in places you are in for the first time and this is the case for many of us doing MOD2 as there are only very few test centres around.

I personally had to ride my bike 35 miles to the Burgess Hill to take my MOD2 and I had never been there before. And seeing a map and then getting to selected location would be impossible for me.

If they are doing this for motorbike test then surely this will be introduced for car license too.

Another unnecessary step that will make obtaining car/motorbike license even harder.

 

Can't agree more, I looked up the nearest test center and found it to be many miles away (40 min train ride) in an area I don't know at all. So I booked my DAS in a training center local to the test center. So I know if I get through to MOD2 I'll at least know the roads a little around the test center.

As for "independent driving section" I don't see how this helps and if it is implemented I would expect it to be in a real life situation. I would use satnav and or maps and always look over the route on google earth etc before I set out on a journey I didn't know.