At Oldskooldriving, we recognise the importance of staying informed about the latest changes in driving regulations. In recent months, there have been significant updates to the bay parking portion of the driving test, designed to enhance the assessment of candidates’ skills in realistic parking scenarios. These modifications reflect a commitment to better prepare new drivers for the challenges they may encounter on the road. The revised guidelines focus on ensuring that aspiring drivers can demonstrate their proficiency in various parking situations encountered in everyday driving. By familiarising themselves with these updates, our students will be better equipped to excel in their practical examinations and ultimately become safer, more confident drivers. It is crucial for potential candidates to integrate these changes into their study and practice sessions. The adjustments not only aim to improve technical abilities but also to instil a deeper understanding of parking techniques under varied circumstances. At Oldskooldriving, we are dedicated to providing our students with the necessary resources and instruction to navigate these changes effectively, ensuring compliance with current examination standards.

Bay parking at Hendon test centre

Yes, the Hendon Driving Test Centre has an on-site car park where the bay parking manoeuvre may be conducted. Examiners can ask you to perform this manoeuvre either at the beginning or the end of your practical test.

Bay Parking at Hendon

Manoeuvre Options: The examiner will instruct you to either reverse into a parking bay (and then drive out) or drive forward into a bay (and then reverse out). The manoeuvre always involves some form of reversing.

Location: The manoeuvre is typically performed in the marked bays located in the test centre car park.

Test Assessment: The examiner will be assessing your control of the vehicle, accuracy in parking within the lines, and all-round observation for other vehicles and pedestrians.

Adjustments: You are allowed to make adjustments to your position during the manoeuvre without penalty, as long as it is done safely and with proper observations. Hitting a kerb or parking across the line might result in a major fault.

Manoeuvres at Hendon Test Centre

During your test at Hendon, the examiner will choose one of the following reversing manoeuvres:

Parking in a parking bay (at the test centre or a public car park).

Parallel parking at the side of the road.

Pulling up on the right-hand side of the road, reversing for about two car lengths, and then rejoining traffic.

Practicing the specific layout of the Hendon test centre car park bays, especially during off-hours, is recommended to become familiar with the reference points.

DUAL CARRIAGEWAY  DRIVING.

 Dual carriageways are common on UK practical driving tests, especially if the test centre is located near high-speed roads. Examiners assess your ability to merge, maintain speed, and follow proper lane discipline.

Key Performance Areas on the Test

Making Progress: If the road is clear and conditions are good, you are expected to drive at or near the 70mph national speed limit. Driving significantly slower (e.g., 50–60mph without cause) can result in a "serious" fault for lack of progress.

Joining via Slip Road: You must use the slip road to match the speed of traffic on the main carriageway. Look for a safe gap and merge smoothly without forcing other drivers to slow down or change lanes.

Lane Discipline: Always stay in the left-hand lane unless you are overtaking or preparing for a right turn. "Hanging" in the right lane after finishing an overtake is a common reason for failure.

Overtaking: If you encounter a slow vehicle (like a tractor or HGV), you may be expected to overtake. Ensure you use the MSPSL (Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed, Look) routine and move back to the left once clear.

Following Distance: Maintain a two-second gap from the vehicle in front. Double this to four seconds in wet weather.

Handling Junctions

Leaving: Look for the 3-2-1 countdown markers and signal at the 300-yard marker. Avoid braking on the main carriageway; wait until you have moved into the deceleration lane.

Right Turns: Some dual carriageways have central reservations where you can wait to turn right. Ensure your car is fully contained within the reservation; if it is too narrow, you must wait for a gap in both directions of traffic before emerging.

Critical Faults to Avoid

Inadequate Observations: Failing to check blind spots or mirrors before merging or changing lanes.

Speeding: Exceeding the limit by even 3–5mph can be a major fault.

Undertaking: Never pass a vehicle on its left unless traffic is moving in slow-moving queues.

CHANGES TO DRIVING TEST

Recent and upcoming changes to the UK driving tests focus on making both the practical and theory tests more reflective of real-world conditions and improving the booking system.

Practical Driving Test Changes

As of November 24, 2025, the following changes have been made a permanent part of the practical driving test to allow for more driving on a variety of roads, including high-speed and rural areas:

Fewer Normal Stops The number of required routine stops has been reduced from four to three.

Reduced Emergency Stops The emergency stop exercise will now be carried out in approximately 1 in 7 tests, down from 1 in 3 tests previously.

Extended Independent Driving The independent driving portion can now be extended by the examiner to run for up to the full duration of the test, using a sat-nav, road signs, or a combination of both.

The overall duration and content (e.g., manoeuvre requirements and eyesight check) of the test remain the same, and no new skills need to be learned.

Theory Test Changes

From early 2026, the driving theory test will be updated to include new questions on essential first aid skills:

CPR Questions The test will include enhanced content about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques.

Defibrillator Questions For the first time, questions about automated external defibrillators (AEDs) will be added to the test to boost cardiac arrest survival rates.

These updates are part of the existing first aid content and will not change the cost, time, or difficulty of the test.

Booking Process Changes

From spring 2026, new rules for booking and managing tests will be introduced to combat booking backlogs and unfair practices:

Learner-Only Bookings Only the learner driver themselves will be allowed to book their own practical driving test.

Change Limits Learners will be limited to making a total of two changes to their test appointment (date, time, or centre).

Increased Notice Period Since April 8, 2025, learner drivers must give at least 10 full working days' notice to change or cancel a car driving test without losing their fee, increased from the previous three days.

Location Restrictions Test centre changes will be restricted to locations near the original booking.