The NEW practical driving test was introduced to Taunton on the 4th October 2010, and has had many people panicking unnecessarily.

The main changes to the NEW driving test in Taunton are:

• Ten minutes of 'independent driving'. Pupils will be asked to follow, up to a maximum of, three directions or asked to follow traffic signs at the start of the exercise. A basic diagram may also be shown. You may ask the examiner to confirm the directions anywhere along the route without penalty. If you deviate 'off route', or there are poor/obscured traffic signs, the examiner will direct you until the next clear sign, or until you are back on route. Going 'off route' is NOT an error! The only errors in this case, would be due to unsafe driving while 'off route'. This is not a test of memory or navigation skills.

• Here's the best bit; since the DSA have introduced this NEW driving test, you are now only required to do one reversing manoeuvre, the other has been replaced by 'independent driving'.

Trust Keith, as your independent local, Taunton, Wellington and Bridgwater driving instructor, to keep you updated about those changes which affect your driving lessons.

Please note that you will need to book at the Taunton MPTC (multi purpose test centre).

The NEW Practical Test could potentially be booked in Taunton, as soon as you have passed your theory test. However, do not get too carried away; I will advise you when you should aim to book your test.

In the lessons prior to your test I will carry out a series of mock-tests so that we can identify any areas of common faults.  I use the same marking system as the DSA use for the driving test. Using the results of the mock test we would look at weak areas, so that these can be perfected before your test.

On the day of your test I would usually expect to pick you up an hour prior to the test time so that we can do some last minute practice and try to relax you.

Please be aware that, since you will have the car for two hours on the day of your Practical, my fee for this would also be two hours; when you paid the test fee, you paid only the DSA for the examiner's time and administration fees!  

It is normal to feel nervous about your test and I would be concerned if you weren't!  We will arrive in good time to the test centre where there are toilets and a waiting room. (As from the 1st November the Taunton driving test centre will conduct the NEW practical driving tests for cars, from a new site, on Crown industrial estate, Taunton). You do not have to have anyone else in the Mini Cooper, other than the examiner, during your test. It is possible for me to come if you wish, but you will need to ask both me and the examiner.

When the examiner is ready he/she will expect to see your licence (both parts), and you will be asked to read and sign a residency/insurance declaration. Shortly after you are asked to lead the way out of the door, you will be asked to read a number plate from the required distance (we will previously have checked this). You will then go out to the Mini, the examiner will ask you to answer two questions about regular maintenance checks on the Mini Cooper. I will go through this with you after furnishing you with a current list of questions and answers.

It is not possible to fail for answering these two questions incorrectly, it is at most, only a driver error.

This will take a few minutes, at which point the driving part of your test will begin.  The examiner will give you clear instructions to indicate your route; e.g.

"I'd like you to take the next turning on the left/right please",

"Find a safe place to pull over and stop on the left please",

"drive on when it's safe please" etc. 

The examiner will be assessing your driving and observation skills; to pass your test you must not have more than 15 'driver errors'. If you get even one 'serious' or 'dangerous' error this is an automatic fail.

 To book the NEW driving test in Taunton:

Telephone 0300 200 1122  or   click here  (Opens new window)