Driving Test

Driving test timing study

The study will last for around 3 to 4 months and will monitor the overall time taken to conduct the new test and to make sure that it is as efficient and effective as possible. This might mean that additional examiners may sit in on some tests at your local test centre.

The way this will done

Trained driving examiners and specially trained timing study observers will work as a team to monitor the overall time taken to conduct the test.

The driving test examiner will greet the candidate in the waiting room as normal and introduce anyone accompanying them before the test starts.

The accompanying study observer will sit in the back of the car and time how long various aspects of the test takes.

This includes things like setting up the sat nav or completing a manoeuvre. It is only the task that will be timed, not the examiner or the student.

There will be no additional scrutiny of the student taking their test, and the accompanying observer won’t take part in the test.

You should make students aware during this period their test might be part of the study and you should contact your local driving test manager before the test if your student has any specific requirements.

You shouldn’t refuse these additional observers sit in during the test, as they have been given the authorisation to do this