From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include a section of ‘independent driving’.

During your test you’ll have to drive by either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both, for about ten minutes.

To help you understand where you’re going, the examiner may show you a diagram.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

The independent driving route

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.

If you go off the independent driving route it won’t affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault.
If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.

If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won’t need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.

You can’t use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn-by-turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

Actress Sienna Miller has passed her UK driving test to gain a UK driving licence. Sienna already had a European driving licence but she was said to have been frustrated that this did not entitle her to drive in the UK.

As a British actress not being able to drive in her home country was no doubt frustrating. Said to be overjoyed at passing her UK driving test she is reported to have hugged her test instructor on being told she had passed and then bear hugged her instructor.

The actress passed her driving test in West London where she no doubt had plenty of driving lessons in the area before hand.

Whether you are a famous actress or just looking to gain your UK driving licence Driver Training Ltd have professional instructors that will provide driving lessons in a relaxed environment aiding you to be test ready in no time for more info call free on 0800 1777 149 today.

Driving test fraud trebles

Thousands of unqualified drivers could be legally driving on UK roads with genuine driving licences.

Fraudsters pass themselves off as the learner and if they pass the test, the licence holder can legally drive without ever sitting the test themselves.

Figures from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) show that last year 168 cases of impersonation were reported last year.

The data, revealed under the Freedom of Information Act, shows that in 2004 there were only 56 cases.

However the figures could be much higher as experts admit that nobody knows how many people are getting away with it.

It was reported that the scam costs up to