Here at ACC UK Ltd, multi award winning Independent Volvo and Toyota Service, Repair & MOT garage based
in Farnborough, Hampshire, we like to bring you handy hints and tips on how to maintain your Volvo or Toyota and how to save money on your annual car
running costs. We also like to keep you informed of changes to laws relating to driving and car ownership.

Driving Licence

The blog this week is about the four changes that have come into effect from the 4th December 2017 regarding the driving test. The thinking
behind the driving test changes are that new drivers need to have additional skills ‘to help them through a lifetime of safe driving’. So what are
these changes? Read below to find out.

  1. The Independent Driving part of the test will increase from 10 minutes to 20 minutes. In a nutshell you will have to drive for 20 minutes WITHOUT turn
    by turn directions from your examiner.

  2. During The Independent Driving part of your examination most candidates will be asked to follow the directions from a Sat Nav. This will be provided
    by the examiner and he or she will put the route in. It will not matter if you go in the wrong direction during this part of the exam unless you
    make a fault whilst doing it. One in five candidates will NOT be asked to do this, instead they will be asked to follow the road signs to a specific
    destination.

  3. During your driving test the examiner will ask you two safety questions. The first one will be BEFORE you start driving and is the ‘tell me’ question
    – you will be asked to explain how you would carry out a specific safety task. For example this could be ‘tell me how you know that your power
    steering is working’. The second question will be asked WHILST you are driving and is termed the ‘show me’ question. You will be asked to show how you would carry out a specific safety task whilst you are driving. For example this could be ‘show me how to wash the windscreen’.

  4. The reversing manoeuvres have been changed. The standard reversing round a corner and the 3/5 point turn in the road will no longer be tested, you
    will instead be asked by your examiner to complete one of three possible manoeuvres from the following:

    1. Parallel park at the side of the road

    2. Park in a bay - either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out

    3. Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic

The marking of the test has not been changed – so if candidates make 15 or more minor faults and or a serious/dangerous fault you will fail the test. The
duration of the test is still set at 40 minutes, the pass standard remains the same along with the cost of the test.

Here at ACC UK Ltd, Winners of The Motor Trader Independent Garage of The Year 2015, The Inspire Customer Service Excellence 2016 Award and The Eagle Radio
Customer Focus 2017 Business Award, we pride ourselves on offering an outstanding customer experience for a fraction of the cost of a dealership. Give
us a call and let us quote you for your next service or repair on your Volvo or Toyota. We service all areas around Farnborough, Fleet, Aldershot,
Farnham, Guildford, Frimley, Camberley, Hook, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Yateley, Hampshire and Surrey. We offer free collection and drop off services.
We also have a fleet of courtesy cars to allow you to get on with your schedule whilst your Volvo or Toyota is with us. Happy Motoring from all at
ACC UK Ltd – Independent Volvo & Toyota servicing, repair and MOT specialists based in the heart of Farnborough, Hampshire.