Independent driving is to be included in the driving test from next Monday (4 October) onwards.
Pupils will be asked to spend around 10 minutes demonstrating their ability to drive safely without step-by-step directions from an examiner.
More details can be found here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_189979
and a podcast here:
