» Listings for 2010

1. DSA Test changes for lorries and coaches

   Posted on 1:52am Monday 8th Nov 2010

   Braking exercise change for lorry, coach, bus and trailer tests

   People taking tests to be lorry, bus, coach or car-and-trailer drivers will perform the braking exercise on-road rather than off-road from 1 January 2011, the Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today.

   Candidates will be asked to perform the braking exercise immediately before the angle start, where the driver is asked to pull away from behind a parked vehicle.

   Mike Penning said:

   "This update to the testing process reflects advances in modern braking technology and allows us to strengthen our assessment of the candidate’s ability to brake safely in real traffic conditions.

   "I have asked the Driving Standards Agency to keep the test under review to see if it is possible to identify any other improvements."

   Currently candidates have to perform reversing, uncoupling (where appropriate) and braking exercises off-road. Only the braking exercise is being moved.

   The new method does not mean any change to the actual content of the test. Other categories of test are unaffected.

2. Theory Test questions to not be published

   Posted on 8:12pm Monday 1st Nov 2010

   DSA to stop publishing questions used in theory tests

   • Candidates need to understand theory
   • End to memorising answers
   • Unpublished questions used from 1 January 2012

   The Driving Standards Agency is to stop publishing the multiple choice questions and answers used in theory tests, Road Safety Minister Mike Penning announced today.

   This will help to ensure that new drivers learn the principles behind driving theory rather than just learning answers.

   The move follows the introduction of independent driving into the driving test and the DSA's decision to stop publishing test routes in October 2010, to make sure the test assesses a learner's ability to drive and not their capacity to memorise routes. 

   Mike Penning said:

   “The driving theory test should help to prepare drivers for real life on the road - good driving is not just about vehicle-handling skills, but also about having the knowledge and understanding of safe driving theory.

   “No longer publishing these questions and answers will mean that successful candidates will have to understand the theory rather than simply memorising answers. 

   “I believe that this - along with the other changes we are making to the driving test regime - will lead to better drivers and safer roads.”

   In September 2011 DSA will change the format of books and other learning materials available to help people prepare for theory tests. This will take place at the same time as more challenging case studies are introduced to car and motorcycle theory tests.

   Then, from 1 January 2012, DSA will create theory tests using questions which will not be published.

   Practice questions and answers, not used in theory tests, will still be available to help candidates with revision.

   Other companies which publish products containing DSA theory test questions will also no longer have access to the questions used in the tests.

3. Electronic Parking Brakes

   Posted on 9:22am Monday 1st Nov 2010

   Electronic parking brakes suitable for tests

   • Vehicles with electronic parking brakes can be used for tests
   • Change from 1 November 2010
   • DSA responds to advances in vehicle technology

   From 1 November vehicles fitted with an electronic parking brake will be allowed to be used for practical driving tests.

   There are usually two ways of releasing an electronic parking brake:

   • using the footbrake while releasing the parking brake, then coordinating the accelerator and clutch to move away
   • coordinating the accelerator and clutch - when the electronics sense the clutch is at biting point the parking brake releases automatically

   The parking brake will not usually release automatically if:

   • the accelerator is not used
   • the controls are not coordinated correctly

   If there is no loss of control either method is acceptable.

   If the examiner needs to take action to stop the vehicle, and it’s not fitted with dual controls, they will apply and hold the electronic parking brake - this will bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.

   Advances in technology

   To begin with, electronic parking brakes were fitted only to top of the range vehicles. DSA decided not to allow manual vehicles fitted with them to be used for driving tests.

   Electronic parking brakes are now being fitted to an increasing number of vehicles, so it’s unrealistic to continue this policy.

4. Daytime Running Lights

   Posted on 10:55am Wednesday 27th Oct 2010

   EU law requires that as from early 2011 all new cars will be required to be fitted with daytime running lights. Like those below)

   
   

   Opponents argue that :-

                   It would increase fuel consumption and vehicle emissions;

                   It would lead to many more headlamp failures;

                   It could reduce the conspicuity effect of motorcyclists' voluntary use of dipped headlamps during the day; and

                   It could diminish the conspicuity of other vulnerable road users in general, such as cyclists and pedestrians.

   However In countries that already have DRL legislation, it was found that the opposition against DRL greatly subsided and that acceptance levels were generally high after its implementation. This can be said of experiences in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Canada.

   For the time being, Canada is the only country requiring the installation of DRL as mandatory equipment in all vehicles. A Canadian study comparing 1990 model year vehicles (the first ones to be required to have DRLs) with 1989 vehicles estimated a statistically significant 11% reduction in daytime multiple-vehicle crashes other than rear end impacts.

   DRLs were first made compulsory in Finland in 1972, and have since become law in a handful of other countries, including Canada, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. For much of the 1980s and 1990s imported Volvos and Saabs were all that most of the rest of the world saw of daytime running lights, but the trend has started to move south.

   Now the laws in comparatively bright nations such as Italy and Israel require daytime running lights in certain weather conditions. Dipped lights are recommended in Sweden and Australia, and the French government advises drivers to use them on motorways. Even in Spain, Germany, Japan and the UK, where governments have so far held back on legislation, an increasing number of car manufacturers are offering DRLs as standard or as an optional extra on their flashier models.

5. Driving lessons at night

   Posted on 9:33am Sunday 24th Oct 2010

   With less than a week to go before the clocks go back an hour, now is a good time to make an extra special effort to check that all of the lights and equipment on your car are fully working and in good order before starting your driving lessons. Make sure that the windscreen washer bottle is filled with a good quality and preferably winter proof screen wash. One that wont freeze up now that we are getting night frosts.

   Then make sure all of your external bulbs are working - the amount of cars we see with only one headlight, sidelight or brake light working is quite frankly scary. There is nothing worse than looking in the distance and thinking you have a motorbike coming towards you, only to realise at the last second that it's actually a car with only one headlight.

   Next make sure all internal bulbs are working, so all of your instrument panel and dials can be clearly seen and identified. Also check that your heater fan works. Having past 2 cars recently that it was obvious there's didn't because the inside of all the window was fogged up. This way you'll keep yourself safe and everyone else on the road.