Devon learners ‘already ahead’ as DVSA confirms major test changes

An Okehampton driving instructor has welcomed changes to the practical driving test, saying rural Devon learners are already well prepared for the conditions the DVSA now wants to emphasise.

From next Monday (24 November), the test will place far greater focus on higher-speed and rural roads, areas where young drivers are statistically most at risk. 

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The DVSA says the shake-up aims to better reflect real-world driving and reduce serious collisions.

Examiners will also be allowed to extend the independent driving portion of the test to as long as the full 40 minutes, in an effort to better reflect real-world driving conditions.

The move follows concerns about safety on rural routes, where almost half of fatal or serious collisions involving drivers aged 17-24 occur.

But according to Okehampton-based instructor Kate Monk, learners on the northern and western edges of Dartmoor are already exposed to challenging road conditions as part of their normal training.

“We won’t notice any change in our lessons”

Ms Monk says that for those who meet instructors locally, the reforms will not significantly alter the way they learn.

“For those who begin and end their lessons in Okehampton or the surrounding rural area, we won’t notice any change in our lessons. We already cover a wide network of rural roads and conditions,” she explained.

She added that Devon’s geography already gives local learners an advantage:

“We are incredibly lucky with our main test centre locations in Devon, that rural driving is already included in the test on some quite challenging roads. So overall, there won’t be much of a difference for our rural communities.”

Ms Monk encourages learners travelling to instructors in Exeter or Launceston to push for wider experience.

“I do encourage parents and learners to ensure that their instructor is travelling on different high-speed roads each lesson to experience all of the variety that our area offers.”

ABOVE: Kate Monk (Instructor) and Kate Dugard (Learner) (Credit: Kate Monk)

More time on rural roads “will absolutely benefit learners”

Ms Monk strongly supports the greater emphasis on rural roads, pointing to official data showing the disproportionate risks faced by young drivers.

Quoting government statistics, she said :“48% of KSI (killed or seriously injured) casualties in younger car driver collisions occurred on rural roads… This will absolutely benefit learners. They are at massive risk on rural roads and those risks come from lack of skill, showing off to friends and distractions.”

She believes the increased exposure may create “positive pressure to be better and to be ready to deal with those rural situations in all circumstances.”

No concern about fewer emergency stops

While some instructors nationally have questioned reducing emergency-stop tests, Ms Monk is confident learners will still be well prepared.

“Speaking as an instructor, we would never send anyone to their driving test who could not perform a controlled stop. It’s one of the first things we do… Learners get very good at it very quickly as it’s an everyday occurrence for us all.”

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Will the reforms make Dartmoor’s roads safer?

Ms Monk believes the impact will be modest for Devon’s rural learners, who already train on difficult terrain. But she expects improvements for visitors and new drivers from cities.

“I can see that young city folk who come to visit us in the touristy season will benefit from the extra time they will have spent on rural roads. But as we all know, there are different levels of rural and Dartmoor’s narrow, bendy and granite-lined lanes are a challenge all on their own.”

She argues that a more transformative measure would be the long-debated introduction of a graduated driving licence, giving new motorists additional restrictions in their first months of independent driving.

Her comments highlight a broader frustration with national attitudes to road danger:

“We protect our children their whole lives… and then at 17 we just let them go out in a metal box which can kill them, others and friends, and we don’t quadruple-check that they are really ready for that?”

“For me, nothing will change”, but families must play a role

Despite the test changes, Ms Monk does not foresee altering her own teaching programme.

“For me, nothing will change. I have always ensured that rural roads are a focus in my lessons.”

But she says wider cultural change is vital, especially at home:

“What we can all do is get involved with our learners’ training and look at how our own beliefs, attitudes and habits will be mirrored in our children.”

The Moorlander previously reported on Monk’s “My Learner Driver", a guide designed to help families support young motorists through the early stages of driving, the period she describes as “the highest risk of their lives.”

As Dartmoor’s roads continue to challenge even the most experienced drivers, Ms Monk says community involvement, not just test reforms, will be key to keeping new motorists safe.