UK car driving test
The UK car driving test is designed to do several things; ensure learners' know the basic theory behind motoring, have a safe knowledge of traffic laws and examine their ability to gauge and react appropriately to practical driving situations.
Students will pass the test, and acquire their full driving licence, if they can demonstrate all these skills.
History of the UK driving test
At inception, the only people required to sit the UK driving test were disabled drivers, who could obtain a licence valid for a year. The Road Traffic Act (1930) was the first piece of legislation to put in place a licencing system for PSVs (Passenger Service Vehicles).
Even then, the driving test for PSV drivers was only called for if traffic commissioners felt it was required. In 1934, the licencing tests were expanded to include lorry drivers. Recognising the need for universal testing, but also the fact that compulsory examination would lead to a rush of people signing up, the UK car driving test was made optional at first.
This reduced the number of applicants and helped ensure that more thorough testing could be achieved. In 1935, Mr J. Beene was the first person in the UK to pass the voluntary driving test. The driving test fee at that time was considerably less than today!
Expansion of testing for car drivers
Soon, it was made a requirement for anyone who had begun driving after 1934 to undergo a compulsory exam. Of the 246,000 applicants, 63% were successful and passed the test. The testing process was unlike today: with no test centres and the applicant making an appointment directly with the examiner. Usually, the test happened at a car park or an abandoned railway station.
As is the case today, people had to put an 'L' plate on their car to show that they had yet to pass their test.
In 1950, the pass rate was 50%. Whether the percentage dropped because less people passed or there were simply more people taking the test is unknown.
The UK driving test became more expensive in 1956 when the fee doubled to £1. Soon after, testing was suspended nationally because of the Suez Crisis. During this time, learning drivers were allowed to drive without anyone accompanying them, as examiners worked to administer petrol rations, just as they had during World War II. This was the last long-term interruption of the driving test on a national level.
Testing for driving test examiners
Deciding that there needed to be more standardised requirements for training, the UK Government sponsored the Stanmore Training School, where driving test examiners went to receive their education. This helped to ensure a higher quality of testing, as examiners had previously been taught on the job.
In 1962, licences were divided into several subcategories, and the test was made more difficult. The competence component tested students' knowledge of driving habits and theory, while physical abilities such as good eyesight, reflexes, etc. were also examined. Around this time, drivers were permitted to ride motorcycles up to 250cc after passing a driving test. Mopeds would be classed as a distinct vehicle and required a separate licence. Eyesight tests were more standardised, with learners' expected to read 3 and 1/8 inch high characters from a distance of 67 feet. Learner drivers must demonstrate this ability before being allowed to sit a driving test to this day.
Changes to the UK driving test
The advent of automatic vehicles caused a change in the driving test with a separate category added to the UK driving licence in 1969. Also in this year, it was prohibited to take your test in a dual accelerating vehicles unless that particular feature was disabled.
Different vehicle categories were also introduced at this time. Examiners were trained to test a specific type of vehicle. Lorry drivers were given updated tests as well in response to an increase in the number of lorries involved in accidents.
Advances in car technology made some aspects of the driving test obsolete; until 1975, candidates had been asked to demonstrate the proper use of arm signals to inform viewers of turns and stops. Electric turn signals had been incorporated in all vehicles by this time, so this need was outdated. In 1985, PSV drivers were required to undertake mandatory testing rather than local agencies determining whether it was needed.
Looking at road safety for car drivers
The driving test was updated again in the 1990s with a greater focus on road safety. Examiners began giving applicants a list of problems they had during the test and offering advice and areas that could use improvement. In addition, the Pass Plus programme was introduced to help inexperienced drivers get proper road experience after acquiring a driving licence, thus reducing the likelihood of an accident.
The penalty point system was also put into place with each infraction after receiving a licence resulting in the driver getting points added to his or her driving record. Accumulating too many over a specific period of time would result in the driver having to retake the driving test, both theory and practical.
The new millennium, brought innovations such as the touch-screen element of the theory test. These had the effect of making the driving test more efficient. It was also made possible to schedule a theory test online. A hazard perception component was added to the driving test, in which drivers view video clips and have to identify hazards on the roadway.
When drivers go to take their driving test today, they have to demonstrate their ability to operate a vehicle, to identify and avoid hazards on the road and display knowledge of traffic laws and the appropriate ways to respond to situations. This is rather different from taking your driving test back in the 1930s!
