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Reporter Alan Smith tries his hand at new Driving Test

It's four months since the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency introduced changes to the driving test.

The move to modernise the exam saw a new requirement for most candidates to spend at least part of their test following instructions from a SatNav - supplied by the examiner. Candidates are not allowed to use their own SatNav.

The length of time of independent driving has been doubled from 10 minutes to 20, though currently a fifth of all candidates are continuing to follow the examiner's instructions, to provide a control sample.

Instructor Jon Thorne with reporter Alan Smith
Instructor Jon Thorne with reporter Alan Smith

Others changes include the way reversing skills are tested.

Drivers will no longer be asked to reverse around a corner, but could be asked to reverse safely out of a parking place in a public car park, or pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for two car lengths and then rejoin the traffic.

Learners will also have to answer safety questions while driving, before they had to give their answers while stationary.

The pair in action
The pair in action

They will also be told to perform a function such as operate the windscreen wipers, heated rear window or lights while driving.

Some older drivers have scoffed at the new test saying it was "too easy" but would they be able to pass if they had to take their test again?

Kent Online reporter Alan Smith decided to find out by taking a mock-test with Fant-based driving instructors Jon Thorne.

Forty scary minutes and a couple of faux pas later, Mr Thorne gave his verdict:

"It was fine."

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