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Video: Driving tests are changing – but no specific cycle awareness component

L-drivers will be tested on sat-navs and other issues in overhaul of testing regime

 

Changes announced to the driving test last week mean that drivers will have to show they can follow directions from a sat-nav device, among other things – but there will be no requirement for them to undergo cycle awareness training and be specifically examined on the issue.

Campaign groups such as the Cycling UK have been lobbying for a number of years for drivers to undergo training and testing to demonstrate they can share the road safely with cyclists – but such proposals do not form part of the revisions announces on Saturday.

The new features, which apply to England, Scotland and Wales, will come into force from 4 December 2017 and are explained in the video above.

Besides demonstrating they can use a sat-nav, candidates will also see the independent driving part of the test doubles from 10 to 20 minutes, there will be changes to reversing manoeuvres examined, including parking in a bay, and they will also have to answer a vehicle safety lesson while driving.

Campaign groups such as the Cycling UK have been lobbying for a number of years for drivers to undergo training and testing to demonstrate they can share the road safely with cyclists.,

However, such proposals do not form part of the revisions announces on Saturday. In its briefing on Driver training, testing and licensing, the charity says:

Many drivers also cycle, but those who don’t may not know what kind of driving behaviour puts cyclists at risk, or makes them feel unsafe. Making cycle awareness integral to the driver training and testing process would help tackle this.

On-road, practical cycle training not only helps drivers understand cyclists’ needs, but is also a good head-start for driving test candidates. For example, it might help them learn more quickly and produce safer drivers.

Transport minister Andrew Jones commented: “Our roads are among the safest in the world. However, road collisions are the biggest killer of young people.

“These changes will help us to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and equip new drivers with the skill they need to use our roads safely.”

Gareth Llewellyn, chief executive of the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.

“Making sure the driving test better assesses a driver’s ability to drive safely and independently is part of our strategy to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.”

He added: “It’s vital that the driving test keeps up to date with new vehicle technology and the areas where new drivers face the greatest risk once they’ve passed their test.”

While cycle awareness won’t specifically form part of the test, there’s nothing stopping instructors  from highlighting the need to watch out for vulnerable road users to their pupils.

Indeed, master driving instructor Blaine Walsh, founder of driving-instructor.tv, has featured on videos produced in partnership with the Bicycle Association explaining issues such as why cyclists sometimes take the primary position.

> Video tells driving instructors why cyclists ride in primary

He  appeared in another video in 2015, also featuring British Cycling policy advisor Chris Boardman and made by cycling journalist and author Carlton Reid, which explained to motorists why cyclists sometimes ride side by side, and how to pass them safely.

> Video: Chris Boardman demonstrating safe overtaking of cyclists

When the primary position was released in 2014, Blaine said: “We have to be very aware of cyclists when we’re teaching. We have to be very aware of teaching learner drivers about cyclists, about what Bikeability are teaching, and bringing that into our lessons – the clues that cyclists give us and why they do certain things.

“Why do they cycle down the middle of the lane, what is that all about? And if we know that, we can pass that onto our pupils, and our pupils understand it. That’s really powerful and important.”

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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9 comments

Avatar
Canyon48 | 7 years ago
2 likes

I passed my driving test on the first attempt less than a year ago. During one of my lessons, I overtook a cyclist (30mph A road in the Bristol suburbs).

The road had car parking along both sides, I overtook leaving the cyclist enough room to avoid and car doors and then another 1.5m between myself and the cyclist. This placed me over the lines separating the lanes (there was obviously no oncoming traffic).

My instructor told me not to give so much room and said there is no need to go over the white lines, I disagreed and my driving instructor didn't reply to that.

I dislike overtaking cyclists, particularly on country A roads, I had no instruction on how/when to overtake a cyclist (same with horses). It's no surprise people overtake so badly, there is no instruction for how to overtake a cyclist.

Avatar
Phil Gunney | 7 years ago
0 likes

As an instructor and cyclist I teach all my learners to share the road and about the amount of room needed when passing any vulnerable road user.

 

unfortunately I know many instructors and examiners who don't feel it necessary to do the same.

 

changing the test won't make a difference to what people learn but changing the way instructors are trained and tested would have a greater impact. But also so many people aren't taught by instructors but by family or fri nds and they follow what other road users/media say and do which unfortunately isn't helping.

retesting experienced drivers regularly and ensuring instructors are teaching properly alongwith compulsory professional lessons would make a bigger impact than any test change

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oldstrath | 7 years ago
0 likes

Great to know there is "nothing stopping" instructors reminding their pupils to try not to kill cyclists. Be even better if there were something compelling them to do so.

Avatar
Fish_n_Chips | 7 years ago
3 likes

Who passes these dumb ideas?

 

I know let's put where to throw your leftover McDonalds in the test as it would improve safety...

 

Muppets.

Avatar
brooksby | 7 years ago
3 likes

I don't really understand it.  Isn't the point of the driving lessons and test, to check that you are able to safely drive at the minimum safe standard without risk of killing someone (or yourself).

If the Powers That Be want "checking your Facebook - sorry, satnav" to be on the test then shouldn't that form part of the advanced driving stuff that's optional after you've mastered (-ish) the basics?

And of course there'll be none of that "reversing around a corner" or "parallel parking" malarkey - now, the learner will have to be able to park at the side of a road (presumably on double yellows in a cycle lane) and then move back out into the stream of traffic (presumably without looking for any vulnerable road users).  And even - pause for breath - part of the test will now be driving forward into a supermarket parking space and then reversing out again without hitting anyone or anything: pretty difficult stuff, apparently.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to brooksby | 7 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

...., the learner will have to be able to park at the side of a road (presumably on double yellows in a cycle lane) ....

Rookie mistake, the correect response when faced with double yellow liones, is to park entirely on the pavement. No wheels on the road means no double yellow infirngement.

At least thats the way it seems round here.

Quote:

When the primary position was released in 2014, Blaine said: “We have to be very aware of cyclists when we’re teaching. We have to be very aware of teaching learner drivers about cyclists, about what Bikeability are teaching, and bringing that into our lessons – the clues that cyclists give us and why they do certain things.

Unfortunately this message is not commonplace among driving instructers who seem to allow their students to pass as close ashey like, teaching them that 6 inches is plenty.

Avatar
Grahamd replied to wycombewheeler | 7 years ago
0 likes

 

[/quote]

Unfortunately this message is not commonplace among driving instructers who seem to allow their students to pass as close ashey like, teaching them that 6 inches is plenty.

[/quote]

Would love to see a driving instructor prosecuted for allowing a learner under their supervision to do such a thing. Maybe, just maybe then driving instructors would take cyclists seriously.

Avatar
Vili Er | 7 years ago
2 likes

No inclusion of selfies with your mates as you drive and they smoke weed in the back seat or Facebook updates on country roads? Not even a test to see how many cyclists you can hit with a McDonalds 'fat bastard' drink cup. It’s hardly bringing the test into line with modern driving is it.

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Stef Marazzi | 7 years ago
7 likes

Who ever campaigned for Sat Navs to be featured? Who cares if you get lost, it's whether you run over and kill a vunerable road user with two tons of metal that is important. Wasted opportunity.

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