Independent driving and the sat nav section

What the independent driving section is

Independent driving is a set part of the DVSA practical driving test. It lasts for about 20 minutes, which is roughly half of the test. During this section you drive without step-by-step directions from the examiner at every junction, so they can see how you manage the road for yourself.

Most tests use a sat nav for this section. On some tests, you may be asked to follow traffic signs instead. The examiner decides which method is used, and it is not something you can choose on the day. The rest of the test still includes normal examiner directions, one reversing manoeuvre, possible hill starts, angle starts and other everyday driving situations.

What I see most often in the mirror is not a learner failing because they misunderstood the sat nav. It is usually a learner staring at the screen, missing a mirror check, drifting slightly in the lane or leaving a signal too late because their attention has gone inside the car rather than outside it.

How the sat nav is used on the practical test

The examiner provides and sets up the sat nav. You do not use your own phone or device. The DVSA currently uses a TomTom sat nav on tests, although equipment can change. The examiner programmes the route before you start the independent driving section, positions the device and starts the route when needed.

You are expected to follow the sat nav directions, but the examiner is still in charge of the test. If the sat nav gives an unclear instruction, if roadworks affect the route, or if there is any safety issue, the examiner will help with directions. They are not trying to trick you with the equipment.

The voice instruction is usually more useful than the map. A quick glance at the screen can help, especially where there are several exits close together, but you should not drive by staring at it. In lessons I train pupils to hear the instruction first, confirm it with road signs and lane markings, then use mirrors and position in the normal way.

• The examiner brings and sets up the sat nav.
• You may ask for an instruction to be repeated or clarified.
• The sat nav route is not a memory test.
• Road signs, markings and traffic conditions still matter more than the screen.

What examiners are really assessing

Independent driving is not a separate pass or fail item. It is part of the whole driving test, and faults are marked in the usual way. The examiner is looking for safe, legal and controlled driving while you make more of the route decisions yourself.

You can go the wrong way and still pass, provided you do it safely. If the sat nav says turn right and you realise too late, it is usually better to continue ahead safely than to brake sharply, cut across lanes or signal at the last second. The examiner will help you get back on route.

What does not matter is whether you sound confident, whether you apologise, or whether you follow the route perfectly. What matters is your observation, planning, speed, lane discipline, signalling, response to signs and how you deal with other road users.

A simple routine for following the sat nav

Learners often want a special technique for the sat nav section, but the safest routine is the same one you use for normal driving: look well ahead, plan early and use mirrors before changing speed or position. The sat nav should fit into that routine, not replace it.

In an intensive course, I will usually drill this on mixed roads rather than only on quiet housing estates. We practise short routes where the pupil has to follow the sat nav through roundabouts, one-way streets, bus lanes, dual carriageways and awkward lane markings. The aim is to make the voice instruction feel normal, not distracting.

1. 1Listen to the instruction, then keep your eyes on the road.
2. 2Check road signs and lane markings to confirm what the sat nav is asking.
3. 3Use mirrors before slowing, signalling, changing lane or changing position.
4. 4Position early and safely, without cutting across lanes.
5. 5If you miss the turn, continue safely and let the route correct itself or wait for the examiner’s help.

Common faults during independent driving

The most common fault I see is late planning. A learner hears “at the roundabout, take the third exit” but does not count lanes, check signs or look at the road layout until they are almost at the give-way line. By then everything feels rushed.

Another common issue is over-trusting the sat nav. Sat navs can describe a bend as a turn, show a junction slightly later than it feels in real life, or be less clear where two junctions are close together. You must still use your own judgement and obey the actual road layout.

Speed also causes problems. Some learners slow down too much every time an instruction is given, even when the road ahead is clear. Others keep their speed up when they are unsure, which reduces time to plan. A calm lift off the gas early is usually better than a late brake.

• Staring at the sat nav instead of scanning the road.
• Forgetting mirror checks before slowing or changing direction.
• Signalling too early for the wrong side road, or too late to help others.
• Choosing a lane based only on the screen, not on signs and markings.
• Panicking after a missed turn and trying to correct it unsafely.

Following traffic signs instead of sat nav

A minority of practical tests use traffic signs for the independent driving section. The examiner will tell you a destination or a series of places to follow, such as signs for a town centre, a hospital or a particular route number. They may remind you of the destination if needed.

This is not a geography test. You are not expected to know the local area from memory. You are expected to look ahead, read signs early and choose a safe lane or position based on what the road tells you.

In lessons, I practise this by asking pupils to follow signs without me prompting every turn. At first, I may say, “follow signs for the station.” Later, I stay quiet and let the pupil plan. This shows very quickly whether they are looking far enough ahead or only reacting at the last moment.

What to do if you are unsure or make a mistake

If you are unsure, ask. You can say, “Do you mean this road on the left?” or “Could you repeat that, please?” The examiner will not mark a fault just because you asked for clarification. They will mark what happens to the car and how safely you deal with the situation.

If you miss a turn, do not try to rescue it suddenly. Keep going, stay in your lane if it is unsafe to move, and follow the next safe instruction. The examiner may say, “Don’t worry, I’ll redirect you,” or the sat nav may recalculate the route.

After a mistake, the biggest skill is recovery. Many tests are lost in the 30 seconds after a missed direction because the learner stops checking mirrors, speeds up out of frustration or stops listening. Take a breath, return to normal driving and treat the next junction as a new situation.

How to practise before your test

You do not need to buy a sat nav to pass the test, but you do need practice driving while receiving independent route information. If you use a phone for private practice, it must be mounted legally, must not block your view, and must not be handled while driving. The supervising driver should set it before the journey.

With Fast Track Driving Lessons, intensive courses from 10 to 40 hours can include sat nav and sign-following practice as part of test preparation. Lessons are charged at £61.23 per hour, and learners can also use free theory test practice at /theory. The right amount of practice depends on your current driving standard, not just your test date.

The best preparation is varied practice: unfamiliar roads, different roundabouts, busy junctions and routes where you occasionally miss a turn and recover safely. That is exactly what the examiner wants to see: not perfection, but safe independent decisions.

• Practise on roads you do not know well, not only your favourite local route.
• Ask your instructor to stay quiet for 15 to 20 minutes while you follow a route.
• Include roundabouts, lane changes and one-way systems where possible.
• Review any faults by cause: observation, planning, lane choice, speed or signalling.