MSA Newslink November 2021

News
L-test changes: it was ever thus...
Mike Yeomans continues his
look back at major changes
to the driving test, picking
up the story in 1967
1967: On May 10, The Road Safety
Act 1967 paved the way for regulations
covering the licensing and testing of HGV
drivers. The Driving and Motor Licences
Division began promoting safe driving
through film and TV ’shorts.
1968: The test fee was increased to
£1 and 15 shillings (£1.75p).
1969: Changes to the driving test from
2 June 1969 included:
• vehicles used must not have dual
accelerator control unless this had been
made inoperable
• a separate driving licence group for
automatic vehicles was introduced
• candidates were required to produce
their driving licence to the examiner at
the test and sign the examiner’s
attendance record – examiners could
refuse to conduct a test if these
requirements were not met
The Vehicle and Driver Licences Act
introduced new regulations from June 25
1969, including a licence fee increase
and the specification of vehicle groupings
for the purposes of driving tests. An
up-to-date scheme was introduced for
licensing and testing new lorry drivers on
4 August.
The first official driving manual was
published in November 1969. Called
‘Driving - the Ministry of Transport
Manual’, it was priced 12s 6d (62.5p).
1970: All driving instructors now had
to be officially registered. 3,500 people
were prosecuted for driving on a forged
licence or wrongfully attempting to obtain
a licence.
The new HGV test prompted a change
in PSV testing. Previously, vehicle
inspectors had carried out PSV driving
tests: this was taken over by HGV
qualified examiners.
1972: The demand for driving tests
rose by 20% in 1972, and 15% more in
the following year, leading to a huge
backlog of tests.
The minimum age for riders of
motorbikes over 50cc was raised from
16 to 17 from December 16, 1972.
1973: Computerised driving licences
were issued from March 1, 1973, with
green paper licences replacing the
old-style red booklets. A full licence was
still only valid for three years.
1975: Candidates no longer have to
demonstrate arm signals in the driving
test from May 1975.
1976: Full licences become valid until
the age of 70 from January 1976.
In July, the Stanmore examiner training
school was relocated to Cardington,
Bedfordshire. New L-test examiners had
to undergo four weeks of training.
1981: The government produced a
three-point package of changes:
• the maximum size of learner
machines was reduced to 125cc
• provisional motorcycling licence
entitlement was limited to two years
• a two-part motorcycle test was
introduced with the intention of reducing
accidents by steering learners to take
training with approved organisations on
suitable motorcycles. The first part of the
test included basic off-road control exercises
– usually conducted at LGV centres. The
second part included on-road riding.
1982: Provisional licences were extended
until the age of 70 from October.
1985: PSV driving tests became
compulsory in March. Previously, Traffic
Commissioners decided whether local
applicants took the test.
1988: Driving tests were now
A new test category was created
for a car with a large trailer
(B+E)... road safety reasons
cited for its introduction...
‘‘‘‘
conducted under the provisions of the
Road Traffic Act 1988.
1989: A new accompanied motorcycle
test was introduced on October 1.
Prompted by alarming accident figures,
the old-style ‘part 2’ motorcycle test,
where the examiner stood by the
roadside, was replaced by the new, more
demanding ‘pursuit test’. The examiner
now follows the candidate on a
motorcycle and maintains radio contact
during the test.
1990: The Driving Standards Agency
(DSA) was created as an executive
agency of the Department for Transport.
DVLC became an executive agency of
DfT and renamed the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Provisional licence holders were
prevented from carrying pillion
passengers, even if the passenger is a full
licence holder. Compulsory basic training
(CBT) was introduced for all new learner
riders of motorcycles and mopeds.
From May 1, examiners gave
candidates a brief explanation of faults
committed during the L-test, plus advice
on areas for improvement.
Anyone accompanying a learner driver
from October 1990 must be at least 21
and must have held a driving licence for
a minimum of three years.
1995: The Pass Plus scheme was
introduced in November to help newly
qualified young drivers gain extra
valuable driving experience.
1996: A separate written theory test
was introduced on July 1, replacing
verbal questions on the Highway Code
during the L-test. The theory test pass
mark opens at 26/35 but was raised to
30/35 on 1 October.
1997: New licence categories added
and tests for learners aged over 21 years
riding larger motorcycles (Direct Access
Scheme) and small motorcycles.
New riders under 21 years restricted to
machines of 125cc while learning. Once
they pass the test, they were then
restricted to riding machines of 25kw
(33bhp) for two years.
New licence and test changes on
January 1, 1997 included:
• a new test category was created for a
car with large trailer (B+E)... road safety
reasons are cited for its introduction.
• licence categories and tests were
introduced for Direct Access and small
motorcycles.
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NEWSLINK n NOVEMBER 2021