Three-point turn could be dropped from driving test

The three-point turn could become a thing of the past after the Government signalled the biggest shake-up to the driving test in nearly 20 years.

Woman driving a car
The three-point-turn - more recently known as the 'turn in the road' - could be scrapped under new plans

The three-point turn could become a thing of the past after the Government signalled the biggest shake-up to the driving test in nearly 20 years.

Learners may be asked to use a satellite navigation system as part of a revised practical exam “as an alternative to road signs”.

The request to reveres around the corner without mounting the kerb could also be dropped altogether.

The changes, which are being proposed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, could be the biggest potential shake up of the test since the written theory test was introduced in 1996.

If they prove popular they changes could be made permanent.

Around 1,000 learner drivers at 20 testing centres across Britain will be asked to take part in a trial of new practical exam measures in the new year.

The test has existed in its current form for around two decades, although “independent driving” - where motorists are asked to find their way to a destination - has formed part of the practical exam in recent years.

The most eye-catching change is the possibility of dropping the three point turn – or “turn in the road” altogether.

The agency said the trial will look at “replacing the ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn in the road’ manoeuvres with more realistic everyday manoeuvres, such as reversing out of a parking bay, or pulling up on the left or right before re-joining the flow of traffic”.

Other possible changes include “extending the ‘independent driving’ section from 10 to 20 minutes” within the 40 minute time limit of the current test.

The changes will also examine “asking candidates to follow directions on a satnav, as an alternative to following road signs”.

A spokesman said: “We are carrying out initial research to explore how the driving test could better reflect real-life driving. Any future changes to the test would be subject to full public consultation.”

The Driving Instructors Association, the largest industry body representing driver and rider trainers, has welcomed government plans to review the driving test.

Carly Brookfield, the association’s chief executive, said: “DIA has been heavily involved in the scoping of this project and is enthusiastic about the opportunity it presents to evolve the L-test to a level where it more realistically assesses a candidate's ability to competently and safely manage road based risk and driving in real life, on real roads.

“The DIA and its members will play a key role in the project as it is critical 'customers' of the test, such as driving instructors and candidates, have their input in making the test more fit for purpose and more reflective of modern driving.”

But AA president Edmund King said: “Not everyone owns or needs a sat nav and it is not a legal requirement so shouldn't be a compulsory part of the test. Some still navigate with signs and maps.

“In our view a three-point turn is still an important manoeuvre for getting out of cul de sacs, dead ends and often car parks.

“Eventually, self-parking cars will do away with parallel parking and, who knows, the driverless car might just do away with the test.”

Stephen Glaister, the director of the RAC Foundation, added: “We all rely on our sat navs but they are not infallible and it is when they have led us down a dead end that we need to know how to do a three-point turn.

“It’s fine to add some aspects to the test but we should be cautious about removing the basics.”