Video: Driving tests are changing – but no specific cycle awareness component

Changes announced to the driving test last week mean that drivers will have to show they can follow directions from a sat-nav device, among other things – but there will be no requirement for them to undergo cycle awareness training and be specifically examined on the issue.

Campaign groups such as the Cycling UK have been lobbying for a number of years for drivers to undergo training and testing to demonstrate they can share the road safely with cyclists – but such proposals do not form part of the revisions announces on Saturday.

The new features, which apply to England, Scotland and Wales, will come into force from 4 December 2017 and are explained in the video above.

Besides demonstrating they can use a sat-nav, candidates will also see the independent driving part of the test doubles from 10 to 20 minutes, there will be changes to reversing manoeuvres examined, including parking in a bay, and they will also have to answer a vehicle safety lesson while driving.

Campaign groups such as the Cycling UK have been lobbying for a number of years for drivers to undergo training and testing to demonstrate they can share the road safely with cyclists.,

However, such proposals do not form part of the revisions announces on Saturday. In its briefing on Driver training, testing and licensing, the charity says:

Many drivers also cycle, but those who don’t may not know what kind of driving behaviour puts cyclists at risk, or makes them feel unsafe. Making cycle awareness integral to the driver training and testing process would help tackle this.

On-road, practical cycle training not only helps drivers understand cyclists’ needs, but is also a good head-start for driving test candidates. For example, it might help them learn more quickly and produce safer drivers.

Transport minister Andrew Jones commented: “Our roads are among the safest in the world. However, road collisions are the biggest killer of young people.

“These changes will help us to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and equip new drivers with the skill they need to use our roads safely.”

Gareth Llewellyn, chief executive of the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.

“Making sure the driving test better assesses a driver’s ability to drive safely and independently is part of our strategy to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.”

He added: “It’s vital that the driving test keeps up to date with new vehicle technology and the areas where new drivers face the greatest risk once they’ve passed their test.”

While cycle awareness won’t specifically form part of the test, there’s nothing stopping instructors  from highlighting the need to watch out for vulnerable road users to their pupils.

Indeed, master driving instructor Blaine Walsh, founder of driving-instructor.tv, has featured on videos produced in partnership with the Bicycle Association explaining issues such as why cyclists sometimes take the primary position.

> Video tells driving instructors why cyclists ride in primary

He  appeared in another video in 2015, also featuring British Cycling policy advisor Chris Boardman and made by cycling journalist and author Carlton Reid, which explained to motorists why cyclists sometimes ride side by side, and how to pass them safely.

> Video: Chris Boardman demonstrating safe overtaking of cyclists

When the primary position was released in 2014, Blaine said: “We have to be very aware of cyclists when we’re teaching. We have to be very aware of teaching learner drivers about cyclists, about what Bikeability are teaching, and bringing that into our lessons – the clues that cyclists give us and why they do certain things.

“Why do they cycle down the middle of the lane, what is that all about? And if we know that, we can pass that onto our pupils, and our pupils understand it. That’s really powerful and important.”