Wise words on taking to the road

THIS year marks the 75th anniversary of the driving test.

Since its introduction in 1935, more than 46 million nervous drivers have sat the exam, which currently includes a written theory test as well as a practical driving test, and 10 minutes of independent driving for each candidate.

BEATRIZ AYALA looks at the test’s history and asks one instructor if the test is up to the job of modern motoring.


UK driving licences were first introduced by the Motor Car Act 1903, but no test was required until practical exams were made compulsory on March 13, 1935, in a bid to reduce the 7,000 annual road deaths.

France was the first country in the world to introduce driving tests in 1893, and the first British woman to pass was Mrs Vera Hedges Butler who travelled to Paris in 1900.

However, the first person to pass a UK driving test was Mr J Beene who paid a grand total of 37p (7s / 6d in old money) to take the test in 1935.

The original test included questions on the Highway Code, general driving skills and tests on arm signals and vehicle manoeuvres.

Nowadays, the test has been adapted for modern driving as well as changes to roads and to driving law.

Arm signals were scrapped in the 1970s, a written theory test was introduced in 1996, and a video hazard perception test brought in 2002.

But the original aim of the exam, to reduce road accidents, remains the same.

In 1934, there were only 2.5 million vehicles on Britain’s roads, but 7,343 people were killed in road accidents.

In 2008, 2,538 people were killed, with 26.5 million vehicles on the road.

On October 4, drivers across the UK faced the latest change to the test, a 10-minute section of independent driving.

As part of the practical test, candidates must now follow traffic signs or a series of verbal directions from the examiner, or a combination of both, to reach a specific destination.

The move is meant to assess the candidate’s ability to drive safely while making decisions, and reaction changes has been positive.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) spokesman said: “Independent driving has been welcomed by driving instructors and road safety organisations, but we’ve also had a lot of positive feedback from candidates themselves.”

Ron Wise (49), from Elm Road, Limeside, is the chairman of Oldham Area Driving Instructors’ Association.

A driving instructor for 12 years with Sykes School of Motoring, he welcomed the changes but believes a more widespread change would be more beneficial. He said: “There had to be some change to the driving tests, it was getting very staid and old.

“The general opinion from driving instructors and examiners is that the changes appear to be reasonable.

“One of my students who undertook the changed exam said it wasn’t as daunting as it first appeared.

“Student drivers, who are under pressure anyway, are being asked to remember certain instructions and that is what is proving difficult. However, people sitting the exam can ask the examiner to repeat the instructions.

“It’s not a finalised test and examiners admit we are going to have to tweak it a bit.”

Mr Wise said the changes do not go far enough and advocates the introduction of graduated licences, used in Australia and America, where learners work towards a full licence gradually over time.

He said: “We need to move on from one test for life to graduated licences.

“For one thing, there is no motorway testing for licences so you can pass your test in a 1.2 litre Vauxhall Corsa, then jump into a fast car and drive straight on to the motorway.

“The current Pass Plus scheme, which gives new drivers more advanced driving experience, is only optional but you should have to take some form of motorway driving before you get on it.

“I’m a firm believer that passing your driving test is only the start of learning how to drive. Even the smallest car is at least one tonne and when flesh meets metal, there is only ever one winner.”

Mr Wise is an advocate of restrictions to first licences such as a limit on the number of hours of day a new driver can get behind the wheel.

He said as most road fatalities and serious injuries are among inexperienced and young drivers aged 17 to 24, restrictions would curb the toll.

He also said there should be some sort of retest to keep drivers up to date on motoring and driving changes.

He said: “At the moment it is just your photo that needs changing rather than your licence.

“Having to sit a driving test every 10 years would be the most unpopular thing for the government to bring in, but having some sort of assessment by a professional driving instructor would would help maintain good standards.”